A.B. DISMISSED FOR DESERTION

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30682, 23 February 1965, Page 3

A.B. DISMISSED FOR DESERTION

(New Zealand Press Association)

AUCKLAND, February 22.

An able seaman in the Royal New Zealand Navy was sentenced to be dismissed from the Navy after he had been found guilty of desertion by Court-Martial today. He is Anthony Roger Crowe, aged 26, who pleaded guilty to desertion from H.M.N.Z.S. Philomel on May 16, 1961.

Captain L. B. Carey, president of the court, told Crowe that consideration had been given to the direction allowing the purchase of discharges having been issued soon after he had deserted, that he had given himself up to clear his name and that he had already served 29 days’ detention. Commander V. W. Were, for the prosecution, told the Court Crowe was listed as a deserter when he failed to report back from leave on May 16, 1961.

A warrant for his arrest was issued on May 22, 1961. Crowe’s service with the Navy expired on October 11, 1964. He gave himself up at H.M.N.Z.S. Philomel on January 25 of this year. Defence counsel, Lieutenant S. C. Stephens, said Crowe had applied to buy himself out of the service in 1961 but the application was refused; because there was no service machinery for such a situation at the time. Crowe failed to return

from 40 days’ leave awarded to him after service in the Far East. He had gone to Christchurch for the leave to make arrangements for his marriage.

These arrangements did not materialise and Crowe stayed away from H.M.N.Z.S. Philomel “in order to rehabilitate himself.”

He was now happily married and living in Christchurch, said Lieutenant Stephens. Crowe had given himself up while on holiday in the Auckland area. He was immediately placed under close arrest and had not seen his wife since that date. The Court consisted of a captain, two commanders and two lieutenant-commanders.

..Shoe Research.—The New Zealand Shoe and Leather Association has informed the Canterbury University Council of its intention to spend £650 to employ a graduate chemistry student to work for his doctorate.