COURT-MARTIAL
CHARGE OF DESERTION HEARD. UNDER-AGE SOLDIER TRIED. (P.A.) WELLINGTON, August 5. , A soldier not yet 20, who falsified his age by three years to- join the Army, was charged before a district court-martial at Trentham to-day with deserting His Majesty’s Service at Trentham on July 21, in absenting himself without leave till apprehended by the civil police the same day, wearing civilian clothes. Accused was Private Ronald Bridge, New Zealand Temporary Staff, and attached to the camp staff company. He pleaded not guilty to desertion, but said he would admit being absent without leave. A report of the proceedings will be forwarded to the officer convening the court-martial, Brigadier H. W, McD. Weir. The judge-advocate advised the court that the criterion between absence without leave and desertion was intent. Then the question was evidence of intention-not to return. He considered the fact sufficient to establish a court finding that the accused intended to desert, and, if possible, join an overseas ship.
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Bibliographic details
Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 252, 6 August 1941, Page 2
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162COURT-MARTIAL Ashburton Guardian, Volume 61, Issue 252, 6 August 1941, Page 2
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