Mexborough and Swinton Times April 5, 1913

The Pistol Peril

Mexborough Schoolboy Shot

Education Committee’s Action

There Clerk reported being called to Garden St, Senior mixed School about 3 o’clock that afternoon, as thehead teacher informed him that a scholar and been shot in the knee during playtime by boy named Fred Swindells, of Kirby Street, aged about 16 or 17. It appeared that Swindells had a small pistol and fired it among the boys playing in the yard. The bullet entered the kneecap of a child named George Whitehouse, causing profuse bleeding.

The Clerk and Head Teacher (Mr Goldthorpe) saw from a superficial examination of the wound that some pieces of clothing had been driven into it. Miss Hudson summoned Doctor Smith, who immediately attended the Head Teacher, who is an ambulance man, in the meantime having rendered first aid. The doctor ordered the boy’s removal to the Montagu Hospital. The stretcher from Adwick Rd, School, belonging to the local Ambulance Class was secured the child make comfortable on it, and conveyed to the institution.

Then Doctor Smith extracted a small bullet, after locating eight under the x-rays. The clerk further reported that he had visited Windell’s parents and he found that the lad had only purchased there pistol a day or two ago from the same man.

The Clerk produced a “live” bullet, which he said he had found in the street nearby.

Mr Clayton: This is enough to kill a man.

Mr Watson asked if information had been given to the police.

The Clerk: It only occurred at 3 o’clock this afternoon, and my duty was first to report to the Committee.

Mr Watson: Was the boy playing in our playground?

The Clerk: Yes, with about 100 other boys.

Mr Watson: During school time?

The Clerk: Yes.

Mr Clayton observed that it was a good thing the boy was not struck in a vital part.

The Clerk: He bled badly.

Mr Watson thought information should be given to the police. The Council were responsible for children injured on their premises.

The Chairman: Will you give me a resolution?

Mr Watson: I take it Mr Watson will report the matter to the County Council in the ordinary course of his duty, and I think he should also give information to the local police.

The Chairman: But if you give me a resolution it will strengthen the Clerk’s hand.

Mr Watson thereupon moved that the Council endorse the action of the Clerk in calling in the doctor and instruct him to acquaint the police with what had occurred.

This was agreed to.