Bullet Hole in Washed-up Body
An Act of War
The body of a male person which was washed ashore on the north beach of Skegness in March, 1940 was found to have a bullet hole through the chest and the man was presumed to have met his death through “an act of war”.
The body was in an advanced state of decomposition, which suggested that it had been in the water for a considerable period – several weeks, possibly some months. It bore no clothing of any kind and there was nothing to suggest the nationality of the dead person.
The gruesome find was taken to the mortuary, where an examination was conducted by Dr D Fraser Menzies, the result of which provided the conclusion that the death was due to “an act of war”. The remains were subsequently interred at the expense of the parish authority.
It may not generally be known that during the period in which this country was at war, an inquest was not held on persons who were known or presumed to have met their death as the direct result of hostilities proper. In all other cases, of course, the normal procedure of the Coroner’s Court was carried out.
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