NINETY DAYS’ DETENTION

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29389, 16 December 1960, Page 27

NINETY DAYS’ DETENTION

Soldier Absent Without Leave A sentence of 90 day's detention was imposed on Gunner John Barbet, aged 20, a member of the Royal New Zealand Artillery, at a court-martial held at Burnham Military Camp yesterday morning. He had pleaded guilty to a charge of being absent without leave from August 4 to October 23. The sentence is subject to confirmation by the convening officer. The court consisted of Majot R, de la Cour (president) and Captain D. G. Rodda and B. M Stanton. The Judge Advocate was Major G. C. C, Sandston and the prosecuting officer was Lieutenant J. B. O’Connor. The defending officer was Lieutenant B. A. B. Hardy. Lieutenant O'Connor said that Gunner Barbet was absent from the first parade on August 4 until he was apprehended by the civil police in Wellington on October 23. He then read the details of the misdemeanours listed on the Army record of the accused. Second Lieutenant H. P. Mars, a witness called by the defence, said that Gunner Barbet had been with the battery for about six months. He was a good soldier, hardworking and was interested in his work. At times he appeared young and immature for his age but to all intents and purposes. he had been a reliable soldier. He would accept him back into the troop. Gunner Barbet was a mere boy who had only had his twentieth birthday a month before, Lieutenant Hardy said. He war a boy in years and a boy in experience and consequently was a little immature. Shortly before he was absent without leave he had a tremendous emotional shock caused by the deceit of a person whom he highly spected“Gunner Barbet wants to go on being a soldier but he does not want to be employed removing swill from the wet canteen where he is not allowed to drink,” said Lieutenant Hardy. “When he came into the Army he was enthusiastic and was prepared to work. “Sheer Drudgery” “During 16 days m July Gunner Barbet was employed, among other things, in chipping paint off rusty trailers, making up beds for territorial soldiers, sweeping out the theatre and cleaning out the wet canteen. In that period he did one half day’s training. “Because he was not yet 21 he was left behind when his battalion went to the North Island to take part in Operation Blue Peter,” Lieutenant Hardy said. “He was old enough to join the Army but was not old enough to go on the exercise. “Gentlemen, I ask you to place yourselves in the position Gunner Barbet found himself. Sheer drudgery was thrust upon him for 16 days, not 14 days after he had been subjected tp a severe personal setback in romance which greatly affected his morale. He ran away and this was the reaction of a frightened boy," said Lieutenant Hardy. Since October 23 Gunner Barbet had spent 53 days under various states of arrest and on half pay, said Lieutenant Hardy, who asked that this be considered sufficient punishment in itself.