2 prison guards were shot by the 8-year-old son of the Governor of Parkhurst Convict Prison, Major Noot, in October 1879.
The accident had happened at around noon when the convicts had been marched in from various workshops and placed in their cells for dinner.
A guard had placed his gun – loaded with buckshot – in the rack just inside the prison gate. The little boy went to where the gun had been placed and took it out of the rack.
On doing so, the gun went off. 1 shot entered the left side of Warder Dockrell a little above the heart, where it lodged. The 2nd hit the right side of the back of the neck of the gatekeeper, Principal Warder Prendergast, and travelled around his neck, coming to rest near his jugular vein.
Warder Dockrell had the slug removed from his body by Prison Doctor Walker, who was on scene immediately.
Prendergast was reported by the Evening News to have been in a serious condition at the time of going to press.
The newspaper commented:
“It is time such negligence with loaded firearms should become punishable in some way.”
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Slug and buckshot are 2 different things i’m pretty sure
A slug shot is a large single pellet and a buckshot is loads of little pellets.
Do we have an update on the condition of Principal Warder Prendergast – or is he still being assessed?
If an 8 year old boy could get hold of the gun then what was to stop a determined prisoner doing the same?
An inquiry should be held without delay.
ps: Thanks to Warren as always for another fascinating article.
This happened 144 year ago so I think it would be quite difficult to assess him now.
He’s probably on a trolley in a corridor somewhere still waiting!!!
He could try getting advice from his local pharmacist, because he’ll never get an appointment at his Doctor’s, unless he’s a pensoner.
OH he’s atleast 165yrs old so he’ll be a priority
as anyone of working age can go and die.
Happily. Prendergast recovered from his injuries (from a further newspaper report dated 20th October 1879 (Isle of Wight Observer)).
Thank you.
I am not aware of prison officers ever routinely carrying firearms in the UK although some now carry PAVA which is a pepper spray in a cannister.