George Brinded

An Engineman with H.M. Trawler Boy Roy, George died on 9th of May 1916 at the age of 24. 

George was born at Norwich on 12 December 1891, a son of William and Harriet Brinded. In 1901 his family lived at 149 Saint Margaret’s Road, Lowestoft, and by 1911 they lived at 74 Saint Margarets Road, and George worked as an engine cleaner with the Great Eastern Railway.

George joined the Royal Naval Reserve on 25 October 1915 and served on the trawler Boy Roy. An article in the East Anglian Daily Times, 11 May 1916, page 3, explains what happened to George:.

GUN TRAGEDY ON BOARD SHIP

THE SECOND ENGINEER KILLED

On Wednesday afternoon Mr. L.H. Vulliamy held an inquest at Lowestoft concerning the death of George Brinded, aged 24, second engineer on a patrol boat, who met his death on Tuesday.
William Brinded, foreman on the G.E.R., living at 74 Saint Margaret’s Road, identified as that of his son. 
John Gillett, first engineer, said that on Tuesday, about 4.30 a.m., he had just come on deck from the engine-room, when he heard a report, as he thought, in the engine-room, and asked a comrade what it was. He replied that the report was in the cabin. He at once went down and saw the deceased lying practically doubled up on the floor of the cabin. Deceased was bleeding from the back, and he could see a wound through his clothes. William John Belton was in the cabin with the deceased, and said: “He is shot”. Witness believed death occurred within three minutes. Belton said he afterwards went with the deceased into the cabin to lie down till ordered to sea. He saw a rifle in the bunk, and was about to place it on the table, but whilst bringing it round it exploded and hit deceased in the chest.
By a Juror: There was no argument; the men had only been below about one minute.
Another Juror: They were quite friendly? – Oh, yes, laughing and joking a minute before – the best of friends, both ashore, and afloat.
William George Groom, the skipper, said he left the vessel about 2 p.m. on May 8th. He was in the cabin just before leaving, but saw no rifle lying about. 
William John Bolton, a deck hand, said he went on board to await orders. He removed a rifle from the bunk, and was lying it on the table, with the barrel pointing towards the deceased, when it suddenly went off. He did not know if the raised edge of the table touched the trigger. Deceased exclaimed. “Oh! Oh! I’m shot.” He then fell to the cabin floor. Witness seemed stunned, and could not call for help. Immediately afterwards the first engineer came down and lifted the deceased on to the locker. Witness noticed a lot of blood coming from his chest and the skipper went for a doctor. Witness and deceased were schoolboys together and had never quarrelled. They were the best of pals, both afloat and ashore. Witness did not know the rifle was loaded.
Staff-surgeon Guy Leslie Buckeridge said he found a wound in the chest and another just below the spine, where the bullet passed through. Death was due to haemorrhage and shock from the bullet wound.
The Coroner said there was no doubt as to the cause of death, and it would be for the Jury to say whether anyone was criminally responsible. In that case there would have to be a verdict of manslaughter. On the other hand, they had the evidence of Belton that he did not know the rifle was loaded. It was therefore clear that the trigger must have caught against something, causing the weapon to go off. Belton might have acted incautiously, or with carelessness, but it did not amount to anything further. However, it was highly desirable that steps should be taken to minimise, as far as possible, the danger of a similar occurrence in the future. 
The Jury found a verdict of “accidental death.” And exonerated Belton from any blame. They also felt that loaded firearms should not be left as the evidence had proved this gun was left. 
The Coroner undertook to convey the expression of the Jury to the proper quarter. Regret was also expressed on behalf of Belton at the sad occurrence. 

A further report, in the East Anglian Daily Times, 13 May 1916, page 8, described his funeral:

NAVAL FUNERAL AT LOWESTOFT

On Friday afternoon the funeral took place at Lowestoft Cemetery, with naval honours, of George Brinded, aged 24, second engineer of one of H.M. patrol boats, the victim of the shooting tragedy at Lowestoft last Tuesday. There was a large concourse, mostly ladies. The coffin was conveyed upon a gun-carriage drawn by a naval contingent, under Lieutenant R. Cook, and followed by a still larger number of members of the R.N.R.
The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, and almost hidden by floral tokens. The Reverend C. Tindall, one of the curates of Saint Margaret’s, officiated. The mourners included the deceased’s parents and Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Turrell. Among those present were Councillor A. Jenner, J.P., Mr. J.C. Cooper, and Mr. Block (secretary), representing the Loyal “Wingfield” Lodge of Oddfellows (of which the deceased was a member). Brinded was an acting fireman on the G.E.R. before joining the Navy, and a number of his old railway chums attended, including Mr. William Moore (representing the engineering department), Driver Stantin, Pluck, Hammond, and W. Godfrey, Firemen Dow, Gardiner, and Brown, F. Pluck (storekeeper), Messrs Woods, Robinson, Jeffries, Brown and Sterry (cleaners), while the mechanical staff was represented by Messrs. G. Leverick, Hillyer, and Knights. The bearers were members of the deceased’s crew; the coffin was of English elm, with plate inscribed: - “George Brinded, died May 9th, 1916, aged 24 years”, and after the committal the “Last Post” was sounded by a bugler from H.M.S. Halcyon. The floral tributes were numerous and handsome, and included five under glass. In addition to those sent by the family, they were sent by:- Mr. and Mrs. Ellis (Norwich), the skippers of H.M. drifters at Lowestoft (two under glass), the locomotive department of the railway (under glass), Mr. and Mrs. Baldry, Councillor and Mrs. A. Jenner, Frank and Frederick Pluck, skipper and crew of the Rob Roy, members of the G.E.R. “Help Yourself Society”, Mr. and Mrs. Bagge, S. Capps, Ernie and Mabel Plant, Mr. and Mrs. Belton and son, and others. Mr. Horace Riches, Raglan Street, was undertaker.