A startling accident occurred at Newhaven at the beginning of last week, as the result of which a Cuckfield Territorial is lying in the 2nd Eastern General Hospital at Kemp Town with a ballet in the upper part of a leg. He is Private Norman Howell, of the 4th Battalion Royal Sussex. Regiment, and a son of Mr and Mrs Bowell, of Woodcroft Villas, Whiteman's Creen. It seems that young Bowell was in a hut near the Workhouse, and a corporal was outside with a loaded rifle, and by some means it discharged, the bullet passing through the side of the hut before entering Bowell's leg. The unfortunate youth is going on quite well, and it is stated there is no danger. In a letter home he makes the comment 'It’s rather hot in the firing line'.

Contributed by Malcolm Davison.

Picture: A Soldier Resting on the Road to Arras. A study of a British infantryman in full kit lying full length on the ground. He leans his shoulders on his pack, and rests his rifle on the ground between his legs.Wikimedia public domain image.

Visit Cuckfield Museum, follow the link for details https://cuckfieldmuseum.org.

Mid Sussex Times,19 January 1915