Lieutenant J.E. Smith, R.A.O.C. Amm.Railhead Officer, Ors, states:-

On the morning of 9th August, 1919 at about 9 hours it was reported to me that a fire had occured in the Dining hut allotted to men of the 90th Labour Company who were employed as Guards on the Ammunition Railhead at Ors. I immediately proceeded to the scene of the fire and found that 4 men of 90th Labour Coy viz:-

466855 Pte. Bury, W.R.
528067 Pte. Barber, A.J.
610007 Pte. Morrison, F.
636801 Pte. Lea, K.

had been burned. I first superintended the administration of 1st Aid by the Medical Orderley 188th Coy, C.L.C., arranged for their conveyance to Hopistal and proceeded to inspect the building in which the accident occurred. I found that the place had been badly scorched. There was a small stove in the centre which had apparently just been used for cooking purposes. There were no signs of burning on the floor, but the roof and upper sides of the building were badly scorched. The dimensions of the hut were 14 ft by 15 ft.

I formed the opinion that the damage was caused by a cordite flame. The serviceibility of the hut was not impaired and no government property was destroyed or damaged.

Questioned by the Court.

1. Beyond the appearance of the scorching there was no evidence of the presence of cordite to be found.

2. I am quite satisfied that the Guard were aware of the grave danger attached to using cordite in their quarters, and all regulations forbidding the use of cordite for domestic purposes have been frequently communicated to them by myself personally as well as through their non-commissioned officers.

The Court adjourns and re assembles at 19th C.C.S., Bethancourt for examination of witnesses there.

No. 636801 Pte. Lei, K., 90th Labour Corps states:-

At about 9 hours on 9th August, 1919 I went into the Dining Hut on the Ammunition Railhead at Ors. I had only been in the building for about 2 minutes when a sudden burst of flame occured. The next thing I remember was that my burns were being dressed by the Medical Orderly at 188th Coy. C.L.C..

Questioned by the Court

1. There were about 3 bundles of loose cordite in a biscuit tin in one corner of the hut at a distance of about 2 yards from a stove which was situated in the middle of the room. The stove was of the Canadian Pattern and was open at the top. It was being used at the time for cooking purposes. Pte Bury who has since died as a result of his injuries was acting as cook at the time. At the time Pte. Bury was standing between the stove and the cordite I was at the other side of the hut.

2. Pte Bury was in charge of our cookhouse and slept there. I don't know how long the cordite had been there and I do not know for what purpose it was used. (Witness unfit to sign statement)

No 610007 Pte. Morrison, F., 90th Labour Company states:-

At about 9 hours on 9th August 1919 I went into the dining hut on the Ammunition Railhead at Ors. I had been inside about 3 minutes when a large flame with great heat suddenly broke out. I managed to get out of the hut by a small window and the next thing I remember was being dressed to the 18th Coy C.L.C. There were three bundles of cordite in a tin in one corner of the hut about 2 yards away from a stove which was alight at the time. Pte. Bury was acting as cook, he was the nearest person to the cordite. I do not know who put the cordite there, nor do I know how long it had been here. I have never seen cordite in the dining hut before the day of the Accident. We have all been warned as to the danger attached to having cordite lying about your quarter.

Questioned by the Court

1. There was a Corporal in charge of the Guard.

Captain G.F. Jones, M.C. 19th C.C.S., states:-

At about 13.30 hours on 9th August 1919, 4 men suffering from very severe burns, on face, arms and body were admitted to this hospital. One of them No 466855 Pte. Bury W.R. 90th Labour Company died a few hours afterwards. From the nature and condition of the injuries I am of the opinion that they were caused by the ignition of some high explosive material. Pte Morrison and Lei are now convalescent, but I consider Pte Barber is still unfit to give evidence.

Questioned by Court

1. I inspected the Quarters of the guard frequently and never found cordite there. My last inspection before the accident was on the 8th August 1919.

2. The name of the N.C.O in Charge of the Guard was Corpl. Driver, A., 90th Labour Company. He was not been produced as a witness and is at Ors.

The court adjourns and re assembles at Ors for the examination of further witnesses there.

No 103357 Cpl. A. Driver, R.F.A. attached 90th Labour Company states:-

At about 9 hours on 9th August, 1919, on returning from inspection of the Dump Guard, I saw a burst of flame issuing from the window of the Guard Dining hut. I at once proceeded to the spot and found 4 men badly burned. I assisted in taking them to Camp of 188th Coy. C.L.C. where their burns were dressed.

Questioned by the Court

1. All the men of the guard had been warned as to the danger of having cordite in their quarters.

2. I inspected the dining hut at 8.30 hours on 9th August 1919, and saw no signs of cordite.

3. I did not see a biscuit tin in the hut when I inspected it.

End of Document