The bodies of two young officers drowned in Lough Ree on the 2nd June while sailing on Lough Ree, were recovered on Sunday and Monday morning respectively by Messrs, William Duffy, Hare Island and Blayney of Coosan. The body of Lieut Austin G. Simmonds, R.F.A., Congresbury, Somerset was found on Sunday morning washed ashore at the Green Island subsequently taken down to the Military Barracks by Mr Duffy. Messrs Duffy and Blayney went out at 3 oclock on Monday morning looking for the second body, that of Lieut Livesy, R.F.A. a native of Bindon, Longfield, Urmiston, near Manchester, after half an hours search they discovered the body washed ashore at Hare Island.

Both bodies were in a very decomposed state, and were unrecognisable. They were in such a decomposed condition that the relatives would not be allowed to take them to there native places for internment. Although the young gentleman were not known locally, widespread sympathy is felt at their untimely and tragic end.

Since the sad accident occurred a number of the local garrison under the command of Major Blake and a number of Islanders had been daily dragging for the bodies. In their work they were assisted by Sec Lieut Pettaway, R.F.A., who accompanied deceased on the fateful day. Immediately the sad news was conveyed to Sec Lieut Simmonds parents, they proceeded here, and remained in Athlone up to Friday last, when they left on a short visit to Clara, where they were the guests of Mr Lewis Goodbody, Solicitor. The Police wired on Monday morning of the recovery of the sons body, and they returned by the midday train. The most heartfelt sympathy is extended to them, by the officers and men of the garrison and townspeople generally in their very sad bereavement. They had but two sons and the elder boy was killed in action some time ago.

On Monday at 12:30pm in the military hospital, Mr John Gaynor, Coroner for Westmeath, held an inquest into the circumstances attending the deaths of Sec Lieut William M. Livsey and Sec Lieut Austin G. Simmonds whose remains lay in the morgue.

The following jury were sworn: Messrs Edward Bollard (Foreman), James Gilmore, James Horan, James Dixon, Edward Farrell (Church Street), Frank Finneran, John Kennedy, James Egan, Christopher Bigley, James Coyle, Patrick Fetherston and Edward West.

Head Constable Feeney conducted the proceeding on behalf of the Police.

The first witness examined was Michael Browne, Strand Street who deposed he let boats for hire, He remembered the afternoon of the 2nd June, when three young officers went to him to get a motor boat. The motor boat was not available and instead they engaged a sailing boat. The boat was 18ft long in the keel and it had a sail of 100 square feet. The sail was capable of being made smaller. It was old and made of alpacca and would not hold a great deal of wind. Mr Pettaway was one of the young officers , and Mr Simmonds (one of the deceased) was another. He did not know the third officers name. The wind was blowing pretty fresh on that evening. From 2.30pm to 3 oclock they were trying to get the Motor boat to go. He had experience of Lough Ree. The weather turned out very bad that evening. About four oclock it got very black and squally.

One of the gentleman said he could sail, and he (witness) knew one of them to sail over a dozen times in the same boat. He was able to manage the sail and he (witness) asked the question, and was quite satisfied they were able to sail.

CoronerDid you know it was going to be a rough evening?

Witness---I did not know it was going to be rough. About thirteen parties went up that evening and came back all right. The wind was inclined to rise, and I cautioned them not to go outside the Beehive- to stay on the river. The reason I caution them was because it was a bit rough. The boat was an excellent one. On the Saturday night an officer came here- I wont mention any names- came to me and asked me was there any chance of getting down the boat, as he himself and his father were to go up the river next day and they would not go in any boat but this sailing boat. If necessary, I can bring that officer hear.

The coroner said there was no necessity for doing so. Everybody knew Mr Browne had good experience of the lake, and exercised great care in hiring of the boats.

Lieutenant John Edward Pettiway (The Rescued Officer) deposed he was a commissioned officer in the Artillery. He was three weeks in the Athlone Barracks prior to the 2nd June. He remembered the evening of the 2nd June, when they went to Brownes for a motor boat. The later not being available, they went in the sailing boat. They only intended sailing on the river, but when they got near the lake it was calm, and they proceeded up the lake. When they got a little bit further than midway between Beam Island and Carberry Island, it looked calm on the lake and Lieut Simmonds said he knew a place in the vicinity where they could get tea. Every thing went well until a squall struck the boat and turned it right over. They all had their Trench coats on and were badly fitted for swimming The Boat remained on her side for a few minutes and the turned upwards.

The accident occurred about a mile and half from Hare Island and about quarter of a mile from Beam and Kids Island. It was impossible to swim back to these Islands as the wind was coming as that direction. When the boat was overturned they took off their coats and clung to the boat. About a few minutes afterwards witness struck out for about 30 yards towards Hare Island, when he turned back again the boat, as he could not make the land in the then condition of the lake. Lieut Simmonds sunk after 20 minutes and about 10 minutes afterwards Lieut Livsey went down. They remarked that no one was in sight when the boat capsized. Lieut Livsey , before sinking, said he thought it was no good sticking on, and theyd better say a prayer.

Witness told him the land was not far off, and they were drifting towards it , but he dropped of immediately. Witness succeeded in reaching shore at Hare Island, but could not walk. He was two and half to three hours in the water. He reported the sad occurrence to Mr Duffy, and he got back about 10 oclock to the Barracks that night.

The other officers were not in the barracks quite so long as he had been. They were only there for seven days. He knew them previously at St Johns Wood Cadet School. Both were good Swimmers. He knew Mr Simmonds had trophies for swimming.

Mr Simmonds deceaseds father- " For Lifesaving".

Continuing witness stated there was nothing to indicate any danger. They had the boat at full sail at the time. They were going straight towards Hare Island, between Beam Island and the Kids Island.

Mr Gilmore- (A Juror) Who was at the tiller at the time?

Witness- Mr Simmonds.

Mr Gilmore- Did witness know how to sail?

Witness- A little, I know a good deal about sailing.

Mr Gilmore- Was the sail tied down?

Witness- It was held round the mast by Lieut Livsey. We were sailing before the wind. We did not feel anything before the squall. It was calm on the lake did not get real rough until we got to that particular point and after that we got into the water it was even rougher.

William Duffy who found the bodies, deposed he lived on Hare Ireland. The Island was separated about half a mile from Coosan on the mainland. On the 2nd June, he went to the house of his brother at Hare Island and found the last witness in his brothers house. He reported the matter at the Barracks that evening, and had since been looking for the bodies. On the morning previous he found a body about 10 oclock on the Green Island, halfway between Hare Island and Carberry Island. He found a card on the body indicating it was Lieut Simmonds. He found other articles on the body which he gave up, and which were produced now. He was out at 3 oclock that Monday morning, and at about three 3:30 he found the other body washed ashore on Hare Island. The bodies were found about three quarters of a mile from where the accident occurred, as he conceived the place of the accident, though he did not see it.

The evening of the accident was very rough. He himself would not care to go out himself that evening, through he knew the lake all his life and because he knew it so well. It was rough and squally.

Head Constable Feeney- Mr Duffy is an expert Sailor.

Witness-It was not a safe evening to be out at all.

Coroner- Those conditions existed all day?

Witness- It was a bad day, showery and windy the whole day long. I saw the boat washed ashore on the evening of the 2nd June. The boat had righted herself. The sail was down, whatever way it got down, there was no gale at all, perhaps in the vicinity of the town.

Mr Gilmore (a juror) Was the main sheet tied down?

Witness- I could not tell you. She was in four feet of water or over when I saw her and the sail was down. I could not tell you whether it was tied down or not.

Coroner- It might be rough up there and it would not be rough in the town.

Witness- Certainly.

Coroner- The reason I ask is that Mr Browne would not have given the boat to those young men if he saw any danger attached.

Mr Thomas George Simmonds (father of one of the deceased) deposed he came from Somersetshire. In consequence of the report he received at the sad accident, he came over to Athlone and remained for over a week in the hope that the body would be recovered. He returned that morning on receiving the report of the discoveries of the bodies. His son was 19 years of age on the 6th January last-19 years and 5 months on the day of his death. Deceased was single. He got his commission and was gazetted on the 6th May. He was at the front for one and three quarter years doing ambulance work for the British and French Red Cross. For his work at the front, he was recommended for his commission, and was part of the Officer Training Corps from September to December. He was attached to the Royal Horse Artillery at Derrington Camp, Salisbury Plain. Having passed his examinations successfully, he was made Second Lieutenant in Royal Field Artillery. He arrived in Athlone on Whit-Monday night.

They had two letters from him that week, which he mentioned Athlone was great place for Boating and Sailing, and looked forward to the enjoyment he was to have on the river.

As far as he believed, the body was that of his son, but he could not recognise him.

Captain Crawford R.A.M.C. deposed he was medical officer of Athlone Barracks, and he had made a superficial examination of the bodies, as a result of which he found the deceased officers died as a result of drowning. They where in a very decomposed state and could not be recognised.

Coroner- Well, Gentlemen, You can come to no other conclusion than that those young men were drowned accidentally on the 2nd June. Mr Browne could not under any circumstances forsee what was to happen. Those men took the boat out for their own amusement and it just turned out unfortunately, when they came to this contrary part of the lake the boat capsized. It is a very unfortunate thing, and I expect you all sympathise with the father of Mr Simmonds and with the relatives of Mr Livsey. It is a terrible stroke that these two young men should be taken away in the prime of life.

Foreman- We are all agreed, and I think we ought to pass a vote of sympathy to the relatives. Although we did not know the young officers we all feel it very keenly.

Coroner- Everyone has the same feelings, It was a terrible accident.

Foreman- I think it would be well to get the local authorities to put up a notice at the entrance to the lake advising of the dangers; a danger signal should be erected there.

We have danger signals for the motorist on the roads, they are even more wanted on the lake.

Major Blake- There is an order published in Barracks to the effect it is dangerous to go beyond the mouth of the river.

Foreman- The military are not the only people who go beyond the mouth of the river. There are other people who go beyond the mouth of the river. There are other people outside also. We have danger marks at cross roads for motor cars, and I think it is just as nessarcery on the river for Boats.

Coroner- Is it the Board of Works who should do it?. I think it out to done by the district council.

Foreman- It is outside the urban area, but I am sure the council would recommend it.

Mr Gilmore- (a juror) The hiring of the boats should certainly be looked after. These boats should be hired out to proper persons who know how to Sail. From my experience, many of the accidents that have occurred were due to people getting sails that were not able to manage them.

Foreman- If a man goes down and says he has he can sail what alternative have you?

Mr Bigley- None, Certainly.

Coroner- I think if we had any means of carrying it out, it would be through the Board of Works. I think myself the Board of works control the river. If the notice was erected any one that would go out in the danger-zone would go out in the danger zone would go out at their own risk.

It was agreed to bring the matter under the notice of the of the board of works.

The following verdict was returned:-

"That William M. Livsey, Sec Lieut, R.F.A. native of Bindon, Longfield, Urmiston, Manchester and Austin G. Simmonds, Sec Lieut, R.F.A. native of Congresbury, Somerset, were accidentally drowned on 2nd June, 1917 and rider was added expressing sympathy with the relatives of the deceased.

On Tuesday afternoon the remains of Sec-Lieut Livsey, R.F.A and Sec Lieut Simmonds who were the victims of the boating accident on Lough Ree on the 2nd June, were interred with full military honours. The funeral, which was a very impressive one, left the barracks at 2:30pm from the main Barrack gate to the outskirts of the town, the townspeople young and old were lined along the route, in respect to the young officers memory and as a mark of sympathy with their relatives, the business houses along the route were closely shuttered, and on the windows of the private residences the blinds were closely drawn. The remains were carried on separate gun carriages, each drawn by six horses. The sad procession was led by a double firing party under the command of Lieut Dickens R.F.A.. The brass and reed band of the Royal Dublin Fusiliers, Mullingar followed and played the funeral march followed by the trumpeters band. Next came the gun carriage with the remains of Sec-Lieut Livsey drawn by six black horses and six of his brother officers, one of whom was Lieut Pettiway (the survivor of the tragedy) forming a guard of honour. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, over which a number of beautiful wreaths of natural flowers were laid. The wreaths were sent by Mrs Livsey (Widow), Mr Livsey (Father) and Master Livsey (Brother), the Officers of the local garrison R.F.A, the Sergeants of the garrison and the Corporals of the garrison. The chief mourners who were immediately after the gun carriage were Mrs Livsey, Urminston, Manchester (Widow), Mr Livsey, (Father) Bury, Manchester, Master Harold Livsey, (Brother), do, and Mr C. Sanderson, Urmiston, Manchester (Brother in Law).

Next came the Sergeants of the 25th Brigade R.F.A. followed by the gun carriage of conveying the body of Sec-Lieut Simmonds, R.F.A., drawn by six black horses. Six of the Officers formed the guard of honour. The coffin was covered with the Union Jack, over which the beautiful floral wreaths were placed. The following were the wreaths; "Darling Austin, from his loving and sorrowing father and mother", "With loving sympathy from the Meadows family, South Norwood", "With deep sympathy from the Officers of the local garrison", and from the Corporals of the garrison. The chief mourners were:-Mr and Mrs T.G. Simmonds, Father and Mother, Mr Lewis Goodbody, Solicitor and Mrs Goodbody, Clara. Mrs Ralph Hanbury Dodd, Clara, Mr Richard Goodbody, JP, Clara; and Mr Reginald Goodbody, Clara. The non commissioned officers and men followed under the command of Colonel Gubbins, followed and the rear of the mournful procession was brought up by a number of townspeople. At the graveside the Rev. J P Anderson, St Peters read the burial service. The last post was sounded by the trumpeters, the firing party fired three volleys over the grave, Both parties were interred in the adjourning graves.