William Davis, aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Davis, of 12, Pratt-road, Rushden, met with a terrible accident on Friday last, sustaining such serious injuries that he died on Tuesday.

About 18 months ago the deceased was sent to Harborne Industrial School, near Birmingham. In connection with the institution there is a miniature rifle range which has been in existence about a couple of years. Here target practice takes place from time to time, and on Friday last William Davis and the range officer were walking towards the target when Arthur Powell, another lad, was handling a rifle. The weapon was loaded, and Powell was examining it when he inadvertently

The bullet entered the back of young Davis, who was in front. Davis fell, and it was quickly realised that his condition was serious. Dr. Middleton was sent for, and ordered the removal of the lad to the Queen’s Hospital, Birmingham, where his condition was pronounced to be critical. He was attended by Dr. Jordan Lloyd, and the bullet, having been fired at short range, was found to have penetrated to a considerable depth.

Both lads are described as among the best conducted boys in the school.

A telegram was received at Rushden on Friday by the lad’s parents, stating that their son had been hurt, and shortly afterwards they received another telegram stating that the accident was much worse than was at first anticipated. Mrs. Davis went by the mail train on Friday night, and when she got to the hospital she was informed of the nature of the accident. She was told that the bullet had lodged in the spine and that it had penetrated so deeply that the surgeon had not been able to reach it. Mrs. Davis remained at the hospital until Sunday, and reached Rushden in the afternoon, having stated that she should return on Tuesday.

At about 2.30 on Tuesday afternoon Mrs. Davis had just dressed ready to leave home for Birmingham when a telegram came to hand stating that her son had died from the effects of the injuries. Mrs. Davis proceeded to Birmingham, and the body was subsequently brought to Rushden for burial.

The Rushden Echo, 7th October 1910

Samuel Kirk, superintendent of the Harborne Institute School, said that Davis was the son of a shoehand residing at 12, Pratt-road, Rushden. Witness produced the order of detention, dated January 22nd 1909, and signed by two Northants justices. Davis enjoyed very good health. There was a rifle range attached to the grounds of the Institution for practice with miniature rifles. The shooting was superintended by the bandmaster and drill instructor, without whose permission no boy was allowed to either

Edwin William Temple, bandmaster and drill instructor at the school, said he had charge of the shooting practice, and the boys fired at a range of 25 yards. On Friday he was in charge of six boys at the firing range, two rifles being used. Two of the boys fired eight shots at the target from a prone position on a platform, and the signal was then given to cease firing and unload, meaning the bolts to be left open to make the rifle safe. The rifles were then placed on the platform with the bolts open and at that stage the next two boys were named for shooting practice. The ammunition, eight cartridges each, was placed ready for the next two scholars, and witness then went to meet the first two boys, who were returning with their targets. One of the boys was asked to bring fresh targets ready for the next round, and Davis brought them up to the range. Witness accompanied them to the place where the targets are placed. When about three yards away he

Davis immediately fell down. Looking round witness saw a boy named Arthur Powell standing by the platform with a rifle in his hand. Powell, when asked, said he had fired the shot, and Davis was carried into the house, where he was attended by Dr. Middleton, who advised his removal to the Queen’s Hospital. Before firing, the boys should wait for witness’s order, and they had also been instructed in the right position to hold a gun.

Arthur Powiss (13), one of the inmates of the school, said he accompanied Powell to the place behind the platform preparatory to firing. Powell went on the platform and loaded one of the rifles, although the order to load had not been issued. Witness loaded his rifle when Mr. Temple and Davis were walking up to the range, but made it safe by means of the catch provided for that purpose. When he had loaded, Powell lay down on the platform, placed his rifle to his shoulder, and took his sight. Witness, who was also lying on the platform, heard Powell’s rifle fire, and the next he saw was Davis being assisted by Mr. Temple. Powell at the time said he did not know the rifle was loaded.

Dr. Desmukh, house surgeon at the hospital, said the boy was admitted suffering from shock and paralysis. He had a puncture wound in the back, and died on Tuesday. In a post-mortem examination, witness found that the bullet had passed through the vertebrae, cut the spinal cord in two, and passed through the chest. Death was due to injuries caused by the bullet wound.

In answer to the foreman, Mr. Kirk said Powell and Davis were the best of friends, and were two of the best lads he had in the school.

The Rev. G. E. Badger, who represented the governors of the school, expressed their regret at the unfortunate occurrence, and conveyed their sympathy with the mother of the deceased boy.

Mr. Bulley, Assistant Inspector of the Reformatory and Industrial Schools Department of the Home Office, also expressed sympathy with the mother, and said he was pleased to find that no blame was attached to the officials or the arrangements made for rifle shooting.