Gloom fell over the Christmas festivities at Fort Victoria near Yarmouth following a tragic accident on 23rd December 1889.
24-year-old sapper Andrew Templar of the 22nd Company Royal Engineers – stationed at Fort Vic – fell to his death while decorating the non-commissioned officers’ mess.
The soldier accidentally fell to his death when standing on a scaffold raised 7ft from the floor, striking his head violently on the ground. His comrades came immediately to his assistance.
He was said to have been insensible but to have recovered a little before being moved to Golden Hill Fort, where he died at 18:00.
An inquest was held on Boxing Day, recording a verdict of ‘accidental death’. Andrew Templar was buried with full military honours on 27th December of that year.
