COURT-MARTIAL AT LYTTELTON

Press, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23515, 18 December 1941, Page 9

COURT-MARTIAL AT LYTTELTON

w PRIVATE FOUND NOT GUILTY

rhareed with conduct to the preiu.y. J good order and military discip- ■ before a District Court-martial company barracks at Lyttelton at av Private Charles Campbell jerkins,’of Z Company, was found resident of the court was Major nr F Tracy, M.C., Fortress Command. JLnr G. T.’ Weston was judge advoprosecutor Second-Lieu-arflv .T<ang, Otago Regiment. Mr Jrlussell, barrister, appeared in alleged, on November i In the hearing of a non-commis-■anad officer and a private, to have the following words: “We will U fi be home in 1“ months. Germany ? going to win this war. England and nnisia are going to get a damned good rtirtahing,” or words to that effect. Corporal George Thomas, Z Com„nv said that on the morning of Nowmber 5 he was passing a crowd of ve ‘ round Private Dawkins’s bed. There was a discussion. He heard rnwkins say: "We have nothing to (Jar We will bo all home in 12 Lnths England and Russia are going S get a hell of a thrashing.” The »ords were spoken in a determined G. R. Frame, Z Company, •aid he heard Dawkins make this statement. It was said in an ordinary tone of voice. Mr Russell said that Dawkins had . mod military record. He enlisted in the Great War on August 4, 1914, and was at the landing at Gallipoli. After five months he was invalided tack to New Zealand and discharged with a pension. In 1918 he re-enlisted, giving up his pension, and was in camp waiting to go overseas when the armistice was signed. He enlisted for overseas service in the present war, giving a wrong age, but broke down under training and was regraded to Z Company. Accused gave evidence that he enlisted in July, 1940, and left a managerial position worth £8 10s a week. He was regraded and transferred to Z Company. His relations with the witness Frame were not happy. Frame was abusive to him. Lieutenant W. J. Roberts, Z Company, said that, apart from absenting himself without leave, Dawkins was a gober and efficient soldier. After a short retirement, the president of the court announced that a verdict of not guilty had been found. Dawkins was then charged with absenting himself without leave. He plMded guilty. The sentence of tho court will be promulgated after it has been approved by the Officer Commanding the Southern Military District, Brigadier O. H. Mead.