South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 28 March 1942

Injured By Bomb

During Home Guard exercises on Sunday afternoon, John Whittaker (34), of Mount Avenue, Great Houghton, was injured when throwing a grenade bomb.

The accident occurred at Wombwell.

The bomb, which was a small one, was thrown into the air by Whittaker, who failed to get clear, with the result that it burst, scattering pieces of shrapnel all over him. He was injured in the wrist and back, and after being treated by Dr. Taylor he was removed to Beckett Hospital, where he is detained. He has had four stitches in his wrist, and his back was peppered with small fragments of shrapnel.

This is the first accident the Houghton Home Guard have had.

Whittaker has a wife and one son.