Mexborough and Swinton Times, May 6th, 1932
Bullet In Boy
Strange Incident At Wood’s Glass Works
Theory Of A Shot
George Albert Long (14), son of George Long, labourer, 12 Knoll Beck Crescent, Brampton, is seriously ill in the Beckett Hospital with injuries received under strange circumstances. While at his work at Wood’s Glass Bottle Works, Wombwell, on Monday afternoon he cried out with pain and collapsed suddenly with a wound in his back. It was believed at first to be an ordinary works accident, but at the hospital a rifle bullet, which, it is believed came through an open window had apparently struck the lad in the back. Long was employed as a “taker-in” and at the time he received his injury he was in the act of placing a red-hot water bottle in a kiln with a long fork provided for the purpose. With him were two other workers, Wm. Moore and Herbert Waller.
Interviewed by a “South Yorkshire Times” reporter, Mrs Long said Albert was the eldest of four children the others being girls. He started work at the glass works about six months ago, prior to which he worked at shops in Wombwell. His first job at the glass works was in the warehouse, but on the day he was injured he took on harder work so that he could earn more money. Mrs. Long had just returned from the hospital. She said the lad was delirious but was said to be “holding his own.” Just after he had been admitted he said to her, “Mother, I heard a bang and felt a sting in my back. I tried to shout to the men but m legs trembled and I fell over.”
Mrs. Long produced the boy’s clothing, which was bloodstained. The trousers, vest, shirt and pull-over had all been perforated at the same spot indicating that the bullet had entered the small of the back on the back of the spine. Mr. Wm. Barker, works manager at Wood’s, said while he was dressing the wound in the office he constantly complained of pains in his stomach and could not stand erect. He got him away to the surgery of Dr. W.C. Jardine immediately, having him conveyed in a taxi. He at the time thought the lad had been struck by flying metal.
The matter has been enquired into by the police.