Tuesday morning, 14 September 1909: At 6 a.m., Ernest Maddock, aged 15, an apprentice at Sir Charles Nugent’s racing stables at Burton-on-the-Hill, set about his early morning stable duties. Having completed his tasks, he joined his good friend and fellow apprentice, John Howe, for breakfast.
Ernest, who formerly lived at 57 Miles Street, Nottingham, had left home in November 1908 to begin working for Sir Charles. He had not seen his parents since then but he made a point of sending regular letters in which he told them how well he was getting on.
After breakfast, he went out to exercise a horse which had been under his control for about four months. Returning later, he took out a second horse, French Play, and was this time accompanied by John Howe, who also had charge of a horse. Each horse had a bridle but no saddle. Just before eleven, at the top of a hill, the two boys decided to graze the horses and eat the cheese sandwiches they had brought with them. Still holding the animals by the bridal reins, the boys sat down to eat.
Suddenly, French Play took fright and cannoned up against John’s horse. Both bolted. Tragically, before eating, Ernest had attached the reins to his wrist by means of a knot. Instantly, he was dragged downhill, across the coarsest of grounds. John Howe raced down behind, screaming.
Henry Miller, a former trainer to Sir Charles, witnessed the incident. He sprinted to the bottom of the hill and was able to stop French Play and release Ernest. The apprentice was unconscious. It was found that he had an extensive wound over the temple and that his right thigh was fractured. He also had lacerations on the front and right side of his body. Badly injured, he was at once transported to Moreton Cottage Hospital. Ernest died during the journey there.
At an inquest held later at Moreton Cottage Hospital, the jury returned a verdict of ‘Death from shock resulting from injuries accidentally received’. John Howe also attended the inquest. He was unable to say what had caused the horse to take fright but pointed out that Army Manoeuvres were going on within two miles of the spot where the accident happened and thought the horse may have been spooked by cannon fire.
Coroner Mr J. Waghorne suggested that lads should be cautioned against fastening the reins to their arms.