2/9 Manchesters

[Garycmt]

Hi
A friend sent me their details of a relative who was in the 2/9 Manchester's who died on 15 April 1941 (3533203 J.Mallinson). He was 21 years old.
I believe the 2/9 was a second line battalion that was only deployed in the Uk. At the time of his death I believe the battalion was still a machine gun battalion and was serving on the south coast on defence duties.
Would anyone be able to give any information on how he died (training accident? rather than enemy action). And being 21 years old serving in a second line battalion would he have been medically downgraded as unsuitable for active front line service? Or could it ba a common occurrence to put medically fit men into these battalions?
Thank you in advance
Gary

[Tim Bell]

Hi Gary,
There's the first page of a Coroner's report on this link. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/53717071/joseph-mallinson/photo This shows he was shot in Hove at 6.48pm.  I would be surprised if a Coroner would be required for enemy action. I couldn't find any press report on the death. Raises more questions than answers. Sorry.
I suggest you Message the chap that posted the page and he will probably send you the full report.  Please let us know what you find.
Welcome to the forum
Tim

[Garycmt]

Thank you I will have a look now
Gary

[charlie]

Hi Gary and welcome to the forum.
I don't think much can be read into his being in the UK at age 21, men were called up at age 21 at that stage of the war. I would be very surprised if it wasn't a training accident.

Charlie

[Garycmt]

I have found out this so far

Private Mallinson was fatally shot by a accidental / negligent discharge of a rifle by Private Frank Dawkins who died in action in tunisia 2 years later.
https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2541735/frank-dawkins/

Normally a second line territorial battalion was staffed by older soldiers deemed unfit for active service, however it seems that they were also training / holding battalions of soldiers waiting to be sent to front line battalions.