“Severe injuries from which he later died in hospital were suffered by a soldier when an army vehicle overturned yesterday afternoon, while another soldier, the only other occupant of the vehicle, escaped serious injury. The soldier who succumbed to his injuries was Trooper Kenneth Desmond Galbraith, 20, single, of Rotorua, and the injured man is Trooper Mervyn Hall, 19. single, of Hinuera, Matamata. The accident occurred on the main highway between Maungatapere and Kaikohe, about two miles north of Poroti. The vehicle skidded on loose metal, left the road and overturned. The St. John Ambulance was called from Whangarei and the two soldiers were taken to the Whangarei Hospital. It was found that Trooper Galbraith had suffered an injury to the brain, a fracture of the right thigh, a fracture of the left upper arm as well as other injuries and he died this morning. Trooper Hall, who was thrown through the top of the vehicle, escaped with abrasions and his condition is reported to be satisfactory. Investigations were made this morning by police and army officers at the scene of the accident. 

Inquest Opens: The coroner (Mr. J. G. Draper) opened an inquest at Whangarei today into the death of Kenneth Desmond Galbraith. Deceased resided at Rotorua previous to enlistment and had been two years in the army. Medical evidence was given by Dr. J. W. Hall, who stated that Galbraith had died from a combination of brain injuries and shock. Deceased had a fractured femur (thigh) and fractured right upper arm, wounds to the right hand, right lateral chest wall, left thigh and base of the scalp. Further, there were definite injuries to the scalp and probable fracture at the base of the skull.

Giving evidence of identification, deceased’s father, William Galbraith, stated that he last saw deceased alive at the Whangarei hospital. He had come to the hospital on receipt of the news that his son had been injured in a military accident. The inquest was adjourned. Casket Borne On Tank

Casket Borne On Tank: The body of the deceased soldier was taken from Newberry’s chapel to the railway station this afternoon and conveyed by train to the place of interment. The casket, covered by the Union Jack, was borne on a tank, alongside of which six of deceased’s comrades walked as pall-bearers. Then followed the military band playing a funeral march, while a large number of members of the Light Armoured Fighting Vehicles followed in procession. “

[Northern Advocate, 5 February 1943, Page 4]