Post by BereniceUK on Apr 14, 2017 19:38:46 GMT
21622 Private Ralph Smith, 23rd Manchester Regiment. Died 25th May 1915, aged 23. Son of Mrs. Agnes Smith, of 65, Boarshaw Road, Middleton. Manchester.
Tragic Sequel to Boxing Match at Morecambe.
Soldier Dies in Hospital Yesterday.
A tragic sequel to a friendy boxing match was reported yesterday. Pte. R. Smith, of the 22nd Service Battalion, Manchester Regiment (The Bantams) dying at the Wellington Military Hospital as the result of injuries received at Devonshire Hall on Monday evening.
It appears that Ptes. Smith and Bennett arranged a boxing match at the Y.M.C.A. headquarters, where both combatants were members. Six ounce gloves were used, and the encounter took place under the recognised rules, Pte. W. Greenwood acting as referee.
In the 19th round Smith was knocked down, Bennett striking him on the jaw.
He was dazed, but recovered after taking a count of eight seconds. Quickly afterwards he was again struck and fell to the floor with considerable force. After the lapse of half an hour he was picked up still unconscious, and with the exception of a brief period, when he asked for a drink of water, he remained in that condition until his death yesterday afternoon.
Smith was attended for concussion by Lieut. Boyton, of the R.A.M.C., attached to the 23rd Battalion, who ordered his removal to the hospital.
An inquest will be held.
(Morecambe Visitor, 26 May 1915)
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"Bantam's" Last Fight.
Military Funeral.
Touching Scenes at Torrisholme Cemetery.
Military honours were accorded the late Private R. Smith, of the 23rd (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, when his mortal remains were interred at the Torrisholme Cemetery on Friday in the presence of a large crowd of sympathisers. Prior to the cortege leaving the West End a very impressive service was conducted at St. Barnabas' Church by the Vicar (Rev. J. A. Jackson, M. A.), numerous mourners being present, including deceased's mother, relatives, military representatives, and the churchwardens and sidesmen.
The cortege consisted of hearse and three broughams, followed by the Battalion Bugle Band with muffled drums, and the whole of "A" Company (of which deceased was a member) under the command of Second Lieutenant London. Sympathisers lined the route to the Cemetery in large numbers.
The coffin, enveloped in a Union Jack, on which reposed the soldier's cap and belt, was borne to the place of burial by several of deceased's comrades.
A firing party, under Regimental Sergt. Major Dunn, stood in readiness, and when the coffin had been lowered, three successive volleys were fired over the open grave, which were quickly followed by the sounding of the "Last Post," the large crowd reverently standing with uncovered heads.
A number of beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave, including wreaths from mother, brothers, and sisters; the officers and non-commissioned officers, and the members of the gymnasium.
Mr. J. H. Ireland, undertaker, West End, Morecambe, becomingly carried out the funeral arrangements.
(Morecambe Visitor, 2 June 1915)
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"Bantam's" Last Fight.
Sad Sequel to a Boxing Match at Morecambe.
Verdict of Death by Misadventure.
"Fair and Clean Contest."
Mr. Neville Holden, District Coroner, and a jury, of which Mr. J. H. Brown was appointed foreman, held an inquiry on Wednesday morning at the Council Offices, Morecambe, respecting the death of Pte. R. Smith, of the 23rd (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment ("The Bantams"), who died on Tuesday at the Wellington Military Hospital as a result of injuries received in a friendly boxing match with Pte. M. Bennett, also of the 23rd Battalion.
At the outset the coroner explained that the deceased soldier had been in training in Morecambe for some months. A short time ago he and a brother soldier took part in a boxing competition, or a display of boxing, both, he understood, being very good men. Since then a spirit of friendly rivalry had sprung up between them, and on Saturday it was arranged that a boxing bout should take place, to decide who was the better man, the fight to be one which could be described as being fought to a finish. To that point he would invite the jury's careful attention, because the whole of the question might devolve upon one point - whether the blow struck was a fair one or not. According to the law on the point it was laid down that where death was caused by injuries received in a friendly sparring match it was not manslaughter until the parties fought until the sport became dangerous, or until undue advantage was taken.
Mrs. Agnes Smith, of 85, Boarshaw-road, Middleton, said the body the jury had viewed was that of her son, who was 23 years of age. Before he joined the Army he was a big piecer in a cotton factory.
AN EXHIBITION OF SPARRING.
Capt. C. Fife, of the 23rd Battalion, stated he was Captain commanding the company in which both men served. There was a smoking concert on the 4th of May, in which Smith and Bennett took a part. At witness's request they gave an exhibition of sparring.
The Coroner: They were men who had obviously learnt the art? - Yes.
And was the exhibition given in perfect good feeling - Oh, quite.
Did you see anything unfair in any blow delivered? - No.
And afterwards they seemed to be perfectly friendly? - Perfectly so; they came off the stage together; I was quite close.
And have you noticed anything since that would account for any unfriendly feeling? - Nothing at all.
By the Foreman: - Deceased had never had to be granted leave for head trouble.
THE LAST BLOW.
Pte. Lawrence Fa..ning said he volunteered to act as timekeeper on the evening of the contest. He heard Smith and Bennett, who had had many a spar, arrange in the morning for a box at the Devonshire Hall.
The Coroner: When were you asked to act as timekeeper? - About five minutes to eight on Monday evening.
Witness added that it was then arranged that the contest should be a fight to the finish.
By a fight to the finishdo you mean that the box was to definitely show who was the best man? - Yes, the best man in a friendly spar.
It was to be a friendly spar? There was no doubt about that? - No.
Who was present at the fight? - Smith, Bennett, two seconds, the referee, myself, and fifty or sixty others.
How many rounds were fought? - Nineteen.
At the end of the eighteenth round what was the condition of the men? - Both seemed fit.
Had either been knocked down up to then? - Yes, Smith.
Were either damaged very much at the end of the 18th round? - No.
When Smith was finally knocked out was he struck on the jaw? - I can't say - I was looking at my watch.
When Smith was knocked down before the nineteenth round, how long was he before he resumed? - He got up after seven seconds had been counted.
And then he got another blow that knocked him down? - Yes.
Was that the last blow? - Yes.
How long was he on the ground after the fight was over? - Only a few minutes. We picked him up and put him in the chair.
Was he conscious? - No.
When Smith got up for the nineteenth round was there anything in his condition to make you think that another blow would have killed him? - Nothing at all, sir.
You saw no unfair blow struck during the whole of the fight? - No, it was a clean, fair fight.
And a friendly one? - Yes.
A FIGHT TO A FINISH.
Pte. Greenhalgh, of the 23rd Battalion, said Bennett asked him to referee, and he heard Smith say it was to be a fight to the finish. Before Smith fell in the nineteenth round he was knocked down by a straight left on the right jaw. He came up for the next round and he received a right swing on the left jaw, which knocked him out, from which he never recovered. Both men were in a very fit condition, and he did not think the blow delivered by Bennett was dangerous. When Smith was knocked out he fell in such a manner that the back of his head came in contact with the wooden floor. It was quite a friendly sparring match, and it did not continue until the condition of either made it dangerous to proceed.
WAS IT A DANGEROUS BLOW?
Pte. Matthew Bennett, of the 23rd Battalion, who after being cautioned by the Coroner, elected to give evidence. He knew Smith, he said, a month or two before he joined the Army, having met him at Oldham. They had both had a lot of experience in boxing, but before attaching themselves to the Manchester Regiment they had never met in the ring. Since joining the forces, however, they had boxed nearly every night.
The Coroner: What made you fix on a fight to a finish? - I didn't know it was a fight to a finish. It was twenty rounds, sir.
You were to fight twenty rounds? Then it was not a fight to a finish? - No, sir.
You are quite sure about that? - Yes, sir.
And it was a perfectly friendly match? - Yes, sir.
What made you arrange to fight twenty rounds? - Well, we thought we could do it, being in good condition.
I have been quite wrong, then, in thinking that the fight was to go on until one of you could go no further? - Yes.
Was the blow you gave Smith that knocked him out a dangerous blow? - No, sir, it was very light.
By the Foreman: He remembered the referee saying that Smith said it was to be a fight to the finish, but he understood it was for twenty rounds.
A Juryman: Had you any private bets on - did you and deceased make a bet? - No, there were no bets.
The Coroner: No prizes of any description? - No, sir.
Ernest Shawcross, of Thomas-street, Stockport, an assistant at the Y.M.C.A., said he witnessed the contest and the men seemed on very friendly terms. There did not appear to be any bad temper on either side, everything struck him as being perfectly fair.
NOT A FIGHT TO THE FINISH.
At the request of the foreman of the jury, Pte. Joseph Williams, who acted as second to deceased, was called. In reply to questions, he said Smith asked him to officiate at the last minute, and he did not know whether it was a twenty rounds contest or a fight to a finish. All he knew was that Smith told him it was to be a friendly spar.
Pte. Alfred Knowles, who seconded Bennett, replying to the foreman, said there was no spleen between the combatants, and the encounter was absolutely friendly.
The Foreman: do you know anything about the contest being a fight to the finish? - No.
Did you know it was to be a twenty rounds' contest? - Yes.
The Foreman: Then there must have been some misapprehension on the part of the referee when he was called into the ring.
The Coroner, addressing Pte. Greenhalgh, asked how he got it into his mind that it was to be a fight to a finish?
Witness: Bennett asked for a twenty rounds contest, and Smith said he wanted it to be a fight to a finish in order to see who was the best man.
The Coroner: I think that explains the discrepancy between the two statements.
MEDICAL EVIDENCE.
Dr. Glegg, who conducted a post mortem, said there were no external marks of violence except a slight swelling of the upper lip. Deceased was an athletic type of man, and he should think that a twenty rounds' contest would do him no harm. Death was due to hemorrhage (sic) on the brain, caused no doubt by the circumstances he had heard described.
Lieut. Boyton, of the R.A.M.C., attached to the 23rd Battalion, said he saw deceased on Monday evening at the Devonshire Hall. He was then partly unconscious and witness ordered him to be taken to hospital at once. He was not present at the post mortem because he was engaged vaccinating and inoculating the members of the Battalion, and it was very important for him to keep himself perfectly clean, otherwise he might poison the whole of the men.
PERFECTLY FAIR AND CLEAN.
The Coroner said he was quite satisfied that the fight had been perfectly fair and clean, and he was extremely sorry that a fine young soldier had lost his life under such circumstances. If the jury decided that the fight had not been prolonged until it became dangerous, or that no undue advantage had been taken the only verdict they could return was one of misadventure.
A verdict in accord with the Coroner's suggestion was returned, Mr. Holden expressing his pleasure, because he said, they might otherwise have lost the services of a very good soldier.
(Morecambe Visitor, 2 June 1915)
Tragic Sequel to Boxing Match at Morecambe.
Soldier Dies in Hospital Yesterday.
A tragic sequel to a friendy boxing match was reported yesterday. Pte. R. Smith, of the 22nd Service Battalion, Manchester Regiment (The Bantams) dying at the Wellington Military Hospital as the result of injuries received at Devonshire Hall on Monday evening.
It appears that Ptes. Smith and Bennett arranged a boxing match at the Y.M.C.A. headquarters, where both combatants were members. Six ounce gloves were used, and the encounter took place under the recognised rules, Pte. W. Greenwood acting as referee.
In the 19th round Smith was knocked down, Bennett striking him on the jaw.
He was dazed, but recovered after taking a count of eight seconds. Quickly afterwards he was again struck and fell to the floor with considerable force. After the lapse of half an hour he was picked up still unconscious, and with the exception of a brief period, when he asked for a drink of water, he remained in that condition until his death yesterday afternoon.
Smith was attended for concussion by Lieut. Boyton, of the R.A.M.C., attached to the 23rd Battalion, who ordered his removal to the hospital.
An inquest will be held.
(Morecambe Visitor, 26 May 1915)
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"Bantam's" Last Fight.
Military Funeral.
Touching Scenes at Torrisholme Cemetery.
Military honours were accorded the late Private R. Smith, of the 23rd (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment, when his mortal remains were interred at the Torrisholme Cemetery on Friday in the presence of a large crowd of sympathisers. Prior to the cortege leaving the West End a very impressive service was conducted at St. Barnabas' Church by the Vicar (Rev. J. A. Jackson, M. A.), numerous mourners being present, including deceased's mother, relatives, military representatives, and the churchwardens and sidesmen.
The cortege consisted of hearse and three broughams, followed by the Battalion Bugle Band with muffled drums, and the whole of "A" Company (of which deceased was a member) under the command of Second Lieutenant London. Sympathisers lined the route to the Cemetery in large numbers.
The coffin, enveloped in a Union Jack, on which reposed the soldier's cap and belt, was borne to the place of burial by several of deceased's comrades.
A firing party, under Regimental Sergt. Major Dunn, stood in readiness, and when the coffin had been lowered, three successive volleys were fired over the open grave, which were quickly followed by the sounding of the "Last Post," the large crowd reverently standing with uncovered heads.
A number of beautiful floral tributes were placed on the grave, including wreaths from mother, brothers, and sisters; the officers and non-commissioned officers, and the members of the gymnasium.
Mr. J. H. Ireland, undertaker, West End, Morecambe, becomingly carried out the funeral arrangements.
(Morecambe Visitor, 2 June 1915)
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Bantam's" Last Fight.
Sad Sequel to a Boxing Match at Morecambe.
Verdict of Death by Misadventure.
"Fair and Clean Contest."
Mr. Neville Holden, District Coroner, and a jury, of which Mr. J. H. Brown was appointed foreman, held an inquiry on Wednesday morning at the Council Offices, Morecambe, respecting the death of Pte. R. Smith, of the 23rd (Service) Battalion, Manchester Regiment ("The Bantams"), who died on Tuesday at the Wellington Military Hospital as a result of injuries received in a friendly boxing match with Pte. M. Bennett, also of the 23rd Battalion.
At the outset the coroner explained that the deceased soldier had been in training in Morecambe for some months. A short time ago he and a brother soldier took part in a boxing competition, or a display of boxing, both, he understood, being very good men. Since then a spirit of friendly rivalry had sprung up between them, and on Saturday it was arranged that a boxing bout should take place, to decide who was the better man, the fight to be one which could be described as being fought to a finish. To that point he would invite the jury's careful attention, because the whole of the question might devolve upon one point - whether the blow struck was a fair one or not. According to the law on the point it was laid down that where death was caused by injuries received in a friendly sparring match it was not manslaughter until the parties fought until the sport became dangerous, or until undue advantage was taken.
Mrs. Agnes Smith, of 85, Boarshaw-road, Middleton, said the body the jury had viewed was that of her son, who was 23 years of age. Before he joined the Army he was a big piecer in a cotton factory.
AN EXHIBITION OF SPARRING.
Capt. C. Fife, of the 23rd Battalion, stated he was Captain commanding the company in which both men served. There was a smoking concert on the 4th of May, in which Smith and Bennett took a part. At witness's request they gave an exhibition of sparring.
The Coroner: They were men who had obviously learnt the art? - Yes.
And was the exhibition given in perfect good feeling - Oh, quite.
Did you see anything unfair in any blow delivered? - No.
And afterwards they seemed to be perfectly friendly? - Perfectly so; they came off the stage together; I was quite close.
And have you noticed anything since that would account for any unfriendly feeling? - Nothing at all.
By the Foreman: - Deceased had never had to be granted leave for head trouble.
THE LAST BLOW.
Pte. Lawrence Fa..ning said he volunteered to act as timekeeper on the evening of the contest. He heard Smith and Bennett, who had had many a spar, arrange in the morning for a box at the Devonshire Hall.
The Coroner: When were you asked to act as timekeeper? - About five minutes to eight on Monday evening.
Witness added that it was then arranged that the contest should be a fight to the finish.
By a fight to the finishdo you mean that the box was to definitely show who was the best man? - Yes, the best man in a friendly spar.
It was to be a friendly spar? There was no doubt about that? - No.
Who was present at the fight? - Smith, Bennett, two seconds, the referee, myself, and fifty or sixty others.
How many rounds were fought? - Nineteen.
At the end of the eighteenth round what was the condition of the men? - Both seemed fit.
Had either been knocked down up to then? - Yes, Smith.
Were either damaged very much at the end of the 18th round? - No.
When Smith was finally knocked out was he struck on the jaw? - I can't say - I was looking at my watch.
When Smith was knocked down before the nineteenth round, how long was he before he resumed? - He got up after seven seconds had been counted.
And then he got another blow that knocked him down? - Yes.
Was that the last blow? - Yes.
How long was he on the ground after the fight was over? - Only a few minutes. We picked him up and put him in the chair.
Was he conscious? - No.
When Smith got up for the nineteenth round was there anything in his condition to make you think that another blow would have killed him? - Nothing at all, sir.
You saw no unfair blow struck during the whole of the fight? - No, it was a clean, fair fight.
And a friendly one? - Yes.
A FIGHT TO A FINISH.
Pte. Greenhalgh, of the 23rd Battalion, said Bennett asked him to referee, and he heard Smith say it was to be a fight to the finish. Before Smith fell in the nineteenth round he was knocked down by a straight left on the right jaw. He came up for the next round and he received a right swing on the left jaw, which knocked him out, from which he never recovered. Both men were in a very fit condition, and he did not think the blow delivered by Bennett was dangerous. When Smith was knocked out he fell in such a manner that the back of his head came in contact with the wooden floor. It was quite a friendly sparring match, and it did not continue until the condition of either made it dangerous to proceed.
WAS IT A DANGEROUS BLOW?
Pte. Matthew Bennett, of the 23rd Battalion, who after being cautioned by the Coroner, elected to give evidence. He knew Smith, he said, a month or two before he joined the Army, having met him at Oldham. They had both had a lot of experience in boxing, but before attaching themselves to the Manchester Regiment they had never met in the ring. Since joining the forces, however, they had boxed nearly every night.
The Coroner: What made you fix on a fight to a finish? - I didn't know it was a fight to a finish. It was twenty rounds, sir.
You were to fight twenty rounds? Then it was not a fight to a finish? - No, sir.
You are quite sure about that? - Yes, sir.
And it was a perfectly friendly match? - Yes, sir.
What made you arrange to fight twenty rounds? - Well, we thought we could do it, being in good condition.
I have been quite wrong, then, in thinking that the fight was to go on until one of you could go no further? - Yes.
Was the blow you gave Smith that knocked him out a dangerous blow? - No, sir, it was very light.
By the Foreman: He remembered the referee saying that Smith said it was to be a fight to the finish, but he understood it was for twenty rounds.
A Juryman: Had you any private bets on - did you and deceased make a bet? - No, there were no bets.
The Coroner: No prizes of any description? - No, sir.
Ernest Shawcross, of Thomas-street, Stockport, an assistant at the Y.M.C.A., said he witnessed the contest and the men seemed on very friendly terms. There did not appear to be any bad temper on either side, everything struck him as being perfectly fair.
NOT A FIGHT TO THE FINISH.
At the request of the foreman of the jury, Pte. Joseph Williams, who acted as second to deceased, was called. In reply to questions, he said Smith asked him to officiate at the last minute, and he did not know whether it was a twenty rounds contest or a fight to a finish. All he knew was that Smith told him it was to be a friendly spar.
Pte. Alfred Knowles, who seconded Bennett, replying to the foreman, said there was no spleen between the combatants, and the encounter was absolutely friendly.
The Foreman: do you know anything about the contest being a fight to the finish? - No.
Did you know it was to be a twenty rounds' contest? - Yes.
The Foreman: Then there must have been some misapprehension on the part of the referee when he was called into the ring.
The Coroner, addressing Pte. Greenhalgh, asked how he got it into his mind that it was to be a fight to a finish?
Witness: Bennett asked for a twenty rounds contest, and Smith said he wanted it to be a fight to a finish in order to see who was the best man.
The Coroner: I think that explains the discrepancy between the two statements.
MEDICAL EVIDENCE.
Dr. Glegg, who conducted a post mortem, said there were no external marks of violence except a slight swelling of the upper lip. Deceased was an athletic type of man, and he should think that a twenty rounds' contest would do him no harm. Death was due to hemorrhage (sic) on the brain, caused no doubt by the circumstances he had heard described.
Lieut. Boyton, of the R.A.M.C., attached to the 23rd Battalion, said he saw deceased on Monday evening at the Devonshire Hall. He was then partly unconscious and witness ordered him to be taken to hospital at once. He was not present at the post mortem because he was engaged vaccinating and inoculating the members of the Battalion, and it was very important for him to keep himself perfectly clean, otherwise he might poison the whole of the men.
PERFECTLY FAIR AND CLEAN.
The Coroner said he was quite satisfied that the fight had been perfectly fair and clean, and he was extremely sorry that a fine young soldier had lost his life under such circumstances. If the jury decided that the fight had not been prolonged until it became dangerous, or that no undue advantage had been taken the only verdict they could return was one of misadventure.
A verdict in accord with the Coroner's suggestion was returned, Mr. Holden expressing his pleasure, because he said, they might otherwise have lost the services of a very good soldier.
(Morecambe Visitor, 2 June 1915)