From the Southeastern Gazette, 13 February 1866.

WOOLWICH. Fatal Accident to an Artilleryman.

On Tuesday, Mr. J. Humphreys, coroner, held an inquest at the “Lamb Tavern,” Dorset-street, Commercial-road, on the body of an artilleryman named Thomas Renningham, aged 20.

The evidence showed that the deceased was a soldier of the A battery, Royal Artillery, stationed at Woolwich; and having on the 2nd ult. got leave of absence, he went with a comrade on board a barge to get into a steamer, near London-bridge. One of his spurs caught in a plank on board, and he was thrown headlong into the river. All efforts to save him were unavailing, and his body only came to the surface on Monday last. The medical evidence proved that there were two severe wounds on the temples of the deceased. The skull was fractured, and no doubt he must have been killed almost immediately. The injuries might have been occasioned by his striking the side of the steamer, when his spurs tripped him up, and sent him into the river.

Verdict, “Accidental death.”