FATAL ACCIDENTS
YOUNG AIRMAN FOUND DEAD
A young airman, A/C2 James Howard, aged 19, was found dead under tragic circumstances at the Nelson Air Force station this morning. An inquest was opened before Mr F. Mitchell, the Coroner, this afternoon, and after evidence of identification by the father, Mr Charles G. Howard, of South street, the inquest was adjourned. -Nelson Evening Mail, 11/12/1943.
DEATHS
HOWARD.—At Nelson on 11th December. 1943, A/C2 Ja'mes Howard, R.N.Z.A.F., and son of Charles Gillingham Howard, of 8 South street; aged 19 years. — Interred at Nelson this day. -Nelson Evening Mail, 13/12/1943.
AIRMAN’S DEATH
WORRIED OVER STUDIES
VERDICT AT THE INQUEST
An inquest was held this morning into the death of AC2 James Howard, aged 19. The Coroner, Mr F. Mitchell presided, and Sergeant J. R. Corston represented the police. Mr W. V. Rout watched proceedings on behalf of the father of the deceased, and Wing Commander A. M. Manhire on behalf of the R.N.Z.A.F., Nelson.
The Coroner’s verdict was that James Howard died at Tahunanui, the cause of death being a fractured skull and shattered brain tissue from a bullet wound self-inflicted.
Cpl. Raymond W. Thurston, attached to the armoury section, described the finding of the deceased's body in the armoury on the 11th December, with a rifle alongside.
Raymond H. Beale, a corporal, said that Howard seemed willing to learn but was unable to grasp instruction and it seemed to worry him. Witness told him not to worry. He noticed that Howard was subject to fits of depression.
WHAT HOWARD SAID
Roy Kinzett, another corporal, told the court that on 7th November Howard was under arrest for failing to report for duty and tried to break away. He had said he was fed up and he was going to do away with himself. Witness told the medical officer and Howard was taken to hospital for observation.
A hut mate of deceased, AC2 Victor William Watkins, said he had heard Howard on more than one occasion say that he was having difficulty in grasping the class work. He had never said he was considering taking his life. On the night of 10th December Howard left the hut, saying “Cheerio.”
To Mr Rout witness said there were three others in the hut when deceased left. He followed Howard because of the way he said “cheerio.” Witness and A/C2 Richardson went together to the O.C. of the Engine School, Flying-Officer Maynard, and reported that Howard was not too good and they did not like the way he left the hut. That report was made at 8.30 o’clock the next morning. Previously, in the evening, Howard had been wearing khaki shorts, but just after 10 p.m. he changed into his battledress and put on tennis shoes. No one was definitely in charge of the hut. He did not notice that Howard was missing from the hut until next morning.
Re-examined, witness said that, although he noticed there was something strange about Howard when he left the hut he did not take it seriously. Howard had been absent without leave on other occasions. To Wing Commander Manhire witness said he did not know deceased before he came into the service.
NERVOUS DEPRESSION
Squadron Leader H. R. Gibson, medical officer at the aerodrome, described the nature of Howard’s injuries, which suggested that the muzzle of the rifle had been close to the scalp. Witness said he had treated Howard previously because he had threatened to do away with himself. The boy seemed in a depressed condition. The officer had recommended two weeks’ leave. On Howard’s return the deceased had seemed bright and cheery.
To Mr Rout witness said that when he recommended deceased for sick leave, he was suffering from nervous depression and debility. The object of giving him sick leave was to provide him with an opportunity to make a recovery and then show how he would manage in his school work. Orderlies of the medical section had been, keeping an eye on Howard after his leave and had reported to witness that he was much brighter and was taking an interest in his work. Witness did not see Howard alive after 25th November.
Constable A. G. Lake, who was called to to the Air Force aerodrome, said he found the body in the armoury. It appeared that deceased had entered through the window. He produced the rifle and spent cartridges found by the body.
DID NOT LIKE COURSE
Evidence was also given by the Officer Commanding the station, Wing Commander Manhire, who said that Howard had been at the Air Force station for two or three months. The work he was doing was the nearest trade possible to the work Howard chose to do. He had been punished on numerous occasions but witness did not know how many. The first punishment was in connection with his work and subsequent punishments were for breaking camp while under confinement to camps. This statement was to the best of his recollection and without reference to his records. Before he was punished in connection with his work many efforts were made by various station officers to encourage him and witness himself interviewed him when Howard indicated that he did not like the flight rigger’s course. Later witness arranged for him to be transferred to the flight mechanic’s course at Howard’s own request. If the deceased told his parents that he had failed in his examination he was probably referring to his ordinary weekly test, as he had not sat the qualifying examination. When the medical officer first reported that deceased was depressed witness sent him for observation in hospital. Later on witness interviewed Howard’s father and told him that deceased was having some difficulty with his course and said he proposed to send him home for a week or two for a rest. He also wanted the father to see the condition the boy was in. The father never mentioned to witness that the deceased had complained that his immediate senior officer had a down on him. Witness was of opinion that deceased’s instructors and officers had been extremely lenient considering the progress he had made.
BLANK SHEETS IN TEST
The father confided in witness that he considered the whole trouble arose over a girl and witness thought that this would account for his misbehaviour. On the occasion on which he received punishment in connection with his work Howard had returned a blank sheet in the weekly test, which indicated a refusal to try rather than inability. He had answered similar questions previously. -Nelson Evening Mail, 20/12/1943.
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