DETENTION FOR SOLDIER

Press, Volume C, Issue 29680, 25 November 1961, Page 15

DETENTION FOR SOLDIER

Court-Martial At Bumham

Because he wanted to earn money to pay debts, a soldier absented himself from his regiment at Burnham for 27 days from September 23, a court martial at Bumham was told yesterday. The soldier, Barrie William Boyd, aged 23, a driver of the Reinforcement Company New Zealand Regiment, pleaded not guilty to charges of desertion and losing by neglect equipment worth £l9 Ils 7d. He was sentenced to 60 days’ detention on reduced charge of being absent without leave and losing equipment. He was ordered to make restitution of £4 10s.

The court comprised Major B T. Poananga (president). Captain and Quartermaster R. W. Bowman, and Lieutenant J. M. Masters, The judge advocate was Major G. C. C. :sandston. The prosecuting officer, Lieutenant E. W. GledhiU, said Boyd was in debt and claimed he absented himself from the service in order to work and earn more money. Boyd worked at the NewZealand Farmer*' Co-opera-tive Association’s wool store between October 10 and October 19 under the alias of Peter James Kerr, he said. To • the defending officer. Captain M. W. Lawson-Smith, Boyd said he intended returning to his regiment as soon as he had paid his debts.