Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

INQUEST INTO SOLDIER'S
DEATH
HEARD AT WODONGA
An inquest was held at Wodonga on Friday, into the death of John Leslie Bugg, which occurred at Bonegilla Mr. M. H. Bent, JP. Deputy Coroner, presided. Deputy Sergeant Nelson was present to assist the Deputy Coroner, while Mr. J. C. McHarg  represented Mr F. D Strang. Sergeant Nelson stated that the facts of the case were that, on 1st October J. L. Bugg, and another despatch rider, were returning from Albury each driving a motor cycle. They had reached a point about 200 yards north of the Wodonga Creek bridge when deceased's cap blew off. Bugg immediately swung the cycle round and struck a car following driven Douglas Strang. Bugg met with in injuries and was taken to hospital where he died on October 21.
John leslie McIllwain, military despatch rider, deposed: On lst October at about 6 p.m., I was travelling towards Wodonga from Albury with de ceased. Each of us was driving motor cycle. We had reached a point about 500 yards south of the licensed Halfway Hotel. Bugg and I had been riding side by side when I noticed he was not there. Looking round I saw he was about 40 to 50 yards back. He had turned his machine back towards Albury when saw the collision with the car. I then turned and went back to the scene the collision. When I saw the state Bugg was in I immediately went for a doctor and an ambulance. I knew that Bugg had suffered injuries to his head. I went to Dr Grant's surgery He was not home and from there rang the camp for an ambulance, but I was not present when Bugg was taken away.