[Leendert]

For those who have access to the British Newspaper Archives (I don't): there's an article in the Daily News (London) of 6 June 1940 that reads:

".. Sentry Was Right To Shoot: A verdict of justifiable homicide was recorded at Romford yesterday on a motorist, Joseph Henry Vaughan (20), of Roman Road. Bethnal Green, who was shot by a sentry after failing to stop when challenged. The coroner (Mr L. F ..."

And in the Dundee Courier of 3 June 1940:

.. SENTRY'S SHOT KILLS DRIVER A motorist, Joseph Henry Vaughan (20), Whitman House, Bethnal Green, died in hospital at Romford, Essex, yesterday, having been shot by a sentry when he did not answer a signal to stop. A passengrcr. Albert Turner (26), Sewardstone ...


Another (in case not included in above posts) victim was Air Raid Warden Miss Cassandra Gylby from Kidderminster who was killed at an L.D.V. post at Gloucester on 25 June 1940. It appears on later inquest that her hearing was bad and had recently taken to earphones....

Mr. D.B. Calder from Leuchars, Fife, was shot dead by an L.D.V. sentry on 30 June 1940 after failing to stop his car (Birmingham Daily Post, 1 July 1940).

And finally from the Dundee Evening Telegraph of 2 July 1940: "SWING RED LIGHT. It was time that the War Office issued its new instruction to sentries and L.D.V. that they should swing a red light when challenging wayfarers. There has been a disturbing increase in casualties ..."

It appears that Volunteer George Westbury was (accidentally?) fatally shot by his own L.D.V. colleagues on 3 July 1940.


Perhaps more names and/or instances can be found in the 1940 newspapers.

Regards,
Leendert