8288 Private George Sheedy, (1907-14/12/1939). "the integrity of their bodies"

TWO SPECIAL FORCE MEN KILLED WHEN BOARDING TRAIN

(Per Press Association)

Tragedy To Troopers From Burnham

INVERCARGILL, This Day. 

Two men were killed and a third seriously injured when they attempted to board a special troop train at Edendale at nine last night. The Victims were:

Killed 

PRIVATE JAMES NELSON, of Nelson Street, Invercargill. 

PRIVATE GEORGE SHEEDY, of Otautau. 

Injured 

PRIVATE WILLIAM YOUNG, of Roxburgh; condition serious. 

When the train, which was a special from Burnham, was bringing troops on final leave stopped at Edendale a number of men left the carriages to farewell Captain M. C. Rice who was leaving the train there. They evidently did not attempt to return to their carriages until the train had started to move. 

Three of them slipped when attempting to board the train and were dragged under it, Nelson and Sheedy being killed outright. Young was caught between the carriage and the platform and extricated with difficulty, a number of troops easing the pressure of the carriage on the injured man. 

The bodies of Nelson and Sheedy Were brought to Invercargill and Young was taken to hospital at Invercargill.  -Central Hawkes Bay Press, 15/12/1939.

LAST TRIBUTES

By Telegraph — Press Association.

funeral of soldiers

VTCTIMS OF ACCIDENT

Invercargill, Last Night. 

Lance-Corporal James Thomas Nelson and Private George Sheedy, who were killed in a troop train accident at. Edendale on Thursday night, were buried at Invercargill and Otautau respectively to-day with military honours.  -Taranaki Daily News, 18/12/1939.

THE TROOP TRAIN TRAGEDY

INQUEST ON VICTIMS 

CORONER'S COMMISERATIONS

 [Per United Press Association.] INVERCARGILL, December 19. 

At the conclusion, of the inquest on James Thomas Nelson and George Joseph Sheedy, who lost their lives through falling from a moving troop train at Edendale on December 14, the coroner (Mr Abernethy) found that both died as the result of multiple injuries sustained in falling under the train, and expressed sympathy with the parents of the two men. 

“I think it proper, as coroner, to add my expressions of sympathy to those already expressed. . There is not much one can say at such a time, but the parents and relatives have the satisfaction of knowing that the deceased soldiers had offered the integrity of their bodies to the country, and were prevented from going overseas by tragedy. It can at least be said of them, as was said by a King of old: “It was good that it was in their hearts to serve their country.”  -Evening Star, 19/12/1939.

Otautau Cemetery.