V.C. WHO STOLE.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 141, 16 June 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

V.C. WHO STOLE.

TWO-SIDED PICTURE. 4, 1928: "This is a lamentable case of a gallant soldier being charged with theft. He was subjected to severe temptations."—(Counsel at Tower Bridge Police Court.) June 4, 1918: "It is impossible to speak i° .Uglily of the extreme gallantry and dash of this N.C.0., who showed throughout the four days' operations supreme devotion to duty."—(The "London Gazette.") These two strangely-contrasting statements referred to Arthur Henry Cross, V.C., of Trinity Buildings, Mermaid Court, Borough, and electrified the Tower Bridge Police Court in London, when he appeared in the dock charged with stealing postal Mr. Gallaher, prosecuting, tempered his accusations with mercy, and referred in_ tones of admiration to "the V.C.'s war service. Cross, he said, had been in the Post Office three years at a wage of £3 a week. He had a disability pension of 25/ a week and a gratuity of £10 yearly in respect of his decoration. On account of losses of letters, inquiries were made, and suspicion fell on him. A test letter was made up and posted and put amongst the letters Cross had to sort. Later it was missed, and when questioned Cross admitted having taken it, and also several other letters containing money. That, said Mr. Gallaher, "is one side of the picture. There is another. I will read an extract from the Tjondon Gazette' of June 4, 1918:—'Arthur Henry Cross. Machine Gun Corps (Camberwell). Victoria Cross. For most conspicuous bravery and initiative. —Lance-corporal Cross volunteered to make a reconnaissance of the position of two machine guns which had been captured by the enemy. He advanced single-handed to the enemy trench, and, with his revolver, forced seven of the enemy to surrender and carry the machine guns with their tripods and ammunition to our lines. He then handed over his prisoners and collected teams for his guns, which he brought into action with exceptional dash and skill, annihilating a heavy attack of the enemy.'" Then there followed the reference give above to his gallantry and devotion.

Mr. Gallaher added that the PostmasterGeneral would do his best to secure Cross some other employment outside the Post Office, where he would escape similar temptations.

Mr. Goff, defending, said that Cross had been subjected to severe temptations, as his wife had been seriously ill for some time, and a son had been out of 'work. Mr. Gattie. the magistrate, said the case was a very difficult one to deal with. The public had to be considered, but he felt he should be justified in giving the Y C consideration in view of his exceptional bravery. He would bind him over.