Albert Edgar BURNARD

   Research Notes:

THE SHOT-GUN TRAGEDY

INQUEST ON A. E. BURNARD

FINDING OF ACCIDENTAL DEATH.

An inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the death (reported in the First Edition) of Albert Edgar Burnard was conducted at the Courthouse this afternoon by Mr. A. Gates, Acting Coroner.

The Medical Evidence

Dr. J. F. Bartley deposed that at about 6 o'clock p.m. yesterday, at the residence of Mr. W. H. Carpenter, Williams-street, he saw Albert Edgar Burnard. Burnard was partly dressed, and was in a sitting position at the door of a small outside room. The lower part of Burnard's lower jaw and the whole of the floor of his mouth had been shot away, and the lower floor of the upper jaw forced upwards. Burnard experienced great difficulty in breathing, and was suffering greatly from pain and shock. Burnard was sensible, but was unable to speak owing to his injuries. When given a piece of paper and a pencil Burnard wrote down "Kill me." After attention Burnard was removed to the Hospital. The double-barrelled shot gun produced was lying on the floor of the verandah, the left hammer being raised and the right hammer down. The right barrel contained a discharged cartridge. The wounds and the skin in the vicinity of the wounds were smeared with black powder marks, and the wounds, in witness's opinion, could have been caused by a gun shot from the gun produced fired at very close quarters. When witness sent the deceased to the Hospital his condition was practically hopeless, and the cause of death would be due to the gunshot injuries described.

- The Accident Described. -

William Henry Carpenter deposed to being an enginedriver. The deceased was also known as Albert Edgar Andrews and he was 21 years of age. Until recently he had been employed as a fireman. Burnard was witness's son-in-law and had been married just over a fortnight. Burnard and his wife resided at witness's residence. Last night Burnard and his wife intended going to Melbourne by the express, and at the time of the accident their luggage was at the railway station. At about 6 p.m. witness and Burnard went to the bathroom to wash their hands. While in the bathroom Burnard said, "Quick, Dad, hand me the gun here's a good shot at a rabbit." Witness took the gun from behind the door in the bathroom. Burnard was then in the act of opening the bathroom window. Witness tried to open the gun to put in a cartridge and the gun exploded in his hands Witness then saw that Burnard was injured. Witness ran inside and told his wife to prevent Burnard's wife fron coming outside, as there had been an accident, and her husband had been injured. Witness ran back to Burnard who had fallen into the bath. Dr Noble and Dr. Bartley were called. Witness and a neighbor propped Burnard against the door of the bathroom Witness had no idea that the gun was loaded. The gun was stiff in the works Burnard was a sober and steady man. Witness was on very friendly term with Burnard, and had never had a
quarrel with him. His daughter had told him that Burnard, when a fireman was insured for £200. Burnard had ceased to be a fireman, and was going to Melbourne for good.

The Acting Coroner: Then I do not suppose the insurance will hold good. Continuing, the witness stated, that he thought Burnard had a share in his father's business. His father was in
business in Melbourne. Burnard was born in London.

Ethel Beatrice Carpenter, wife of W. H. Carpenter, deposed that Burnard and the whole of the members of the family were on friendly terms. At about 6 o'clock last night witness heard the report of a gun. She was going outside, but was met by her husband who said to her: "Keep Elsie (deceased's wife) away, a dreadful accident has happened to Bert."

The Acting Coroner found "that the deceased, Albert Edgar Burnard, died on March 27 from the effects of injuries received through the accidental discharge of a shot gun." ⁴

   Marriage Information:

Albert married Elsa Perth CARPENTER, daughter of William Henry CARPENTER of Broken Hill and Ethel Beatrice LORD, on 8 Mar 1919 in Broken Hill, New South Wales, Australia ^{1 2}. (Elsa Perth CARPENTER was born on 23 Oct 1897 in Boulder, W.A., Australia ⁵ and died on 28 Jan 1961 in Heidelberg, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia ⁶.)

   Marriage Notes:

"BURNARD-CARPENTER—By the Rev. E. J. Stacy, on the 8th of March, 1919. Albert Edgar, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Edgar Burnard, of Melbourne, to Elsa Perth, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Carpenter, of Broken Hill."