Cecil George Harris

Saskatchewan, Canada, June 8 1948, farmer Cecil George Harris died following an accident on his wheat farm. He had been trapped underneath his tractor for 12 hours in torrential rain. His wife and neighbours eventually found him during a lightning storm. Despite their best efforts, he died the next day in hospital of his injuries.

Two of his curious neighbours went to examine Harris’ stricken tractor and found that he’d scratched a message into the paint on the fender:

“In case I die in this mess I leave all to the wife. Cecil Geo. Harris”

The neighbours removed the fender after his funeral and conveyed it to a local Lawyer. It was eventually held to be Harris’ Last Will and Testament.

Because this case is now a quirky landmark of Saskatchewan succession law, the fender and the knife Harris used to carve his message are now on display in the library of the University of Saskatchewan law school.

An excellent example that a Will doesn't need to be a long, drawn-out process. Keeping it simple is often the best way.