The Fernhurst Society
Tales from the Archives - 63
A shot in the dark
For a short time before the Home Guard Hut was built, Fernhurst Home Guard occupied the loft of Lady Cunlife's spacious garage at Fernhurst Rise.
In those early days the platoon had very little in the way of weaponry and had only been issued with one 303 rifle supplied with five live rounds.
Walker Wells had been detailed to maintain the gun. He had just used a pull through to clean the inside of the barrel when for no apparent reason he decided to see if the bullets still fitted. With the barrel pointed to the floor, he was endeavouring to load the rifle when he accidently triggered it.
The bullet fortunately missed his food but unluckily passed through the floor and drilled a hole in the roof of Lady Cunliffe's Daimler which was on wartime blocks in the garage beneath.
If you would like to know more about this story, or research other local topics, the Archive is open on Tuesdays, 2.30-5pm in the Village Hall. Other times by arrangement.
Christine Maynard
Fernhurst ArchiveOne of a series of short articles bringing you some of the incidents from our rich village history. Collated by Christine Maynard, based on documents preserved at the Fernhurst Archives, these originally were published in the monthly Fernhurst News.
The Fernhurst Archives
Fernhurst History
