"MOTORCYCLIST’S DEATH

ACCIDENT ON MILITARY DUTIES

A verdict that John David Wright died from head injuries suffered when, in the course of his military duties, he was thrown from his motor-cycle which skidded in loose shingle in the Lower Styx road on July 20, was returned by Mr E. C. Lewey, Coroner, at the conclusion of the inquest yesterday. Wright was 21 years old and was a son of Mr A. E. Wright, of 5 Avonhead Road, Upper Riccarton. Sergeant L. H. J. Snook gave evidence that Wright was with 15 other motor-cyclists of the 3rd Provost Corps on a road reconnaissance. The party passed through a farmyard and witness and Wright stayed behind to close the gate. They were travelling about 30 to 35 miles an hour. Witness, riding at the left, swerved to the left to avoid some pot-holes and Wright swerved the other way. Witness saw him hit by an overhanging branch of broom at the side of the road and he was thrown over the handlebars. Field dressings were applied and Wright was sent to hospital in the ambulance. Wright was regarded as a good rider." [Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23753, 26 September 1942, Page 6]