North - Appt. Asst. Collector EAP; in charge of Ngong Stockade, Kikuyu 1898. Shot by Capt. F.S. Dugmore at Athi River Camp, 12/9/1898, age 31

Old Africa - 20-3-14 - Christine Nicholls & Steve North - The Mad, Bad & Dangerous Captain Francis Dugmore - The Sudanese troops complained to John Ainsworth, District Commissioner at Machakos, of what Ainsworth described as their ‘extraordinary treatment’ by Dugmore. When the Sudanese mutiny started in Uganda, Dugmore, much to everyone’s relief, decided to go and help because his son William was a lieutenant in the Uganda military. His position at Ngong was taken by a young man called William Cooke. Dugmore returned from Uganda in August 1898 and seems to have convinced himself that Cooke had stolen his job. By now there was no doubt that he was ill and after an examination by the local medical officer, Ainsworth ordered him to be brought to Machakos, escorted by Cooke and Edward Russell. On the journey Dugmore was apparently in good spirits and seemed glad to be going, but during a halt at Athi River camp he got into an argument with Cooke about the positioning of his tent, grabbed Cooke’s loaded rifle and shot and killed him. While awaiting trial for murder in Mombasa he managed to hang himself with a bootlace on 10 November 1898, leaving effects amounting to £60. TheZanzibar Gazette reported his death as being caused by apoplexy, and suicide was not mentioned. It was simply stated that his mind appeared to have been affected during his time in Uganda.

Mombasa Cathedral plaque: sacred to the memory of / William Edward Cooke / late of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada / Captain Royal Canadian Artillery / Assistant District Officer East African Protectorate / accidentally killed at Athi River Camp / 12 September 1893 aged 31 / this tablet is erected by his friends