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     Investigation of Death on Active Service of 

   630150 Aircraftman 1st Class Nathaniel McGrady 

   No.949 Balloon Squadron at Crewe.

        

                                                                                          

About 7.30 p.m. on June 10th, 1940, Aircraftman 1st Class Nathaniel McGrady, No. 949 Balloon Barrage Squadron 

at Crewe was teasing another man, Aircraftsman Herbert Gaskell from the same squadron who was doing sentry 

duty. 

Both men were firm friends. Aircraftman 1st Class Nathaniel McGrady was age 20, from Ballyclare, County Antrim 

had been “larking “ with Gaskell by throwing clods of earth at him. 

Gaskell was “larking” in return and although on sentry duty pointed a rifle at McGrady. He said McGrady came 

towards him and began to throw clods of dirt. Gaskell said to the inquest: "I was trying to clear myself, and I swung 

round. To my horror, the rifle went off. 

I have not the nerve to shoot anyone unless it is necessary. It was unfortunate for me, and very unfortunate for 

McGrady. 

 I have used rifles only for drill and when they are not loaded. I did not notice the position of the safety catch 

when I took over the rifle from the previous guard." 

 Corporal Bennett, who took had been on sentry duty before Gaskell, told the Coroner that the safety catch was on 

when he handed the rifle to Gaskell.

    

Aircraftman Jack saw Gaskell turn with his rifle and a shot rang out. Aircraftman Brian Dixon said he saw Gaskell pull the bolt on the rifle at the 

alert position, but it was not an aiming position. He did not think Gaskell was showing any anger. The shot struck McGrady in the stomach.

Flight Lieutenant W. M. Pierce, Medical Officer  told the inquest that when he saw McGrady in hospital he had been operated on by Dr English and 

was semi-conscious and the following morning he was fully conscious and talked quite rationally. McGrady emphasised that the entire situation was 

an accident and was his own fault. 

He did not want to get anybody into trouble. Following the surgery McGrady made good progress but developed severe hemorrhaging and died on 

Thursday 20th June.

The Coroner described the circumstances as tragic. If the orders laid down had been complied with the accident could never have occurred. There 

was a volume of evidence to suggest that the fatality would not have happened had Gaskell carried out his duty. It might be equally true to say 

that had McGrady not indulged in horseplay the fatality would have been avoided. He could not think of any circumstances in which a man with a 

loaded rifle was justified in pointing it at another man. McGrady had made statements to two responsible people, in which he went to some length 

to point out that the whole affair was an accident. He was magnanimous enough to indicate that the only person to blame was himself. He (The 

Coroner) could not reject evidence of that character. At the same time, he did not think that Gaskell's explanation was satisfactory, and he was 

quite satisfied that the accident could not have happened in the way he had described. "In all the circumstances," added the Coroner. "I shall 

record a verdict of  “Misadventure”. The event is peculiar as there was no Court of Enquiry, Court Martial or other recorded investigative activity 

other than the inquest. In addition, the event was never recorded in the Operational Records Books for the Squadron and there was no mention of 

a funeral for McGrady. 

It is clear that the Corner although making a verdict of death by misadventure was suspicious over the evidence given at the inquest.

                   

 

 

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