John Mervyn Kearney (1890 - 1921)

Born 15 Jun 1890 in Richmond, Tasmania, Australia

Ancestors

Died Apr 1921 at age 30 in Campania, Tasmania, Australia

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Biography

John Mervyn Kearney was born on 15 Jun 1890 in Richmond. He was the son of Thomas Kearney and Adeline Barwick. ^[1]

CAMPANIA SHOOTING FATALITY. MAN KILLED ON WEDDING EVE. THE INQUEST. A very sad shooting fatality occurred in Mr. Ryan's marsh, near Campania, at about 4.30 on Sunday afternoon, the victim being John Mervynn Kearney, aged 30 years, 10 months, the son of Mr. and Mrs, George Kearney, of Campania. It appears that the deceased was out shooting rabbits with four companions named Desmond Luttrell, Frank Woods, Eric Belcher, and his brother, Francis Harold Kearney, and whilst standing amongst some briars with his gun resting against his body, so that he could fill his pipe, the gun accidentally went off, with fatal results. The deceased was a splendidly built man, and was at the front during practically the whole of the war, returning with a wounded leg. Sad to relate, his marriage was to have taken place the following day with Miss Gladys Drumm, of Hobart, and he had actually completed the erection and furnishing of his future home. At the time of the accident he was on a visit to his parents. An inquest was hold at Richmond last night by the Coroner (Councillor N. J. Brooks). Inspector Carr represented the police, Francis Harold Kearney gave evidence of identification. He stated that at about 4 o'clock on the Sunday afternoon he and three other friends accompanied his brother on a shooting expedition. The paddock in which they were shooting was covered with briars and gorse. He heard his brother fire one shot at a rabbit, and about five minutes later he heard a second shot, and on turning round saw his brother fall to the ground. He rushed to the spot, but found that his brother was already dead. He had a gunshot wound in the neck. Erie John Belcher, farm hand, gave corroborative evidence. He stated that when the second shot rang out he saw some smoke go straight up in the air and deceased fall to the ground. A minute before he saw the deceased with his tobacco pouch in his hand, and apparently filling his pipe. Desmond Luttrell, clerk, confirmed the evidence that deceased was accidentally shot with his own gun. Trooper Everett stated that in response to a message he proceeded to Mr. Ryan's paddock, which was situated near Campania, and saw John Mervyn Kearney lying on the ground dead. His legs were crossed, with the stock of the gun between them, and the muzzle lying on his body. His pipe and tobacco pouch were in his right hand. The Coroner: I think that while the deceased was filling his pipe he noticed a rabbit, and while matching up his gun to have a shot, the trigger came in contact with a briar, and discharged the gun. Inspector Carr : That is quite likely. Tlio Coroner found that the death of the deceased was caused by the accidental discharge of his own gun. The Town-hall flag was half-masted yesterday as a tribute to the late Mr. Kearney, who had been in the employ of the Hobart Corporation. SHOOTING FATALITY. (1921, April 5). The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954), p. 5.

Sources

1. ↑ TAHO births RGD33/1/70 no 2775 https://stors.tas.gov.au/RGD33-1-70$init=RGD33-1-70p377