AIR OFFICER COURTMARTIALLED

Dominion, Volume 35, Issue 8, 4 October 1941, Page 12

AIR OFFICER COURTMARTIALLED

Charge Of Drunkenness HEARING IN PROGRESS AT HAREWOOD (Bv Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, October 3. A charge of drunkenness while on duty at Harewood Air Force Station and, alternatively, charges of conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline by becoming unfit for duty through previous indulgence in alcohol and of using offensive and obscene language to three non-commis-sioned. officers, were heard against Flying Officer George Cyril Vincent Buckley at a court-martial at Harewood today. The alleged, offences, to which accused pleaded not guilty, were said to have taken place on the night of September 17 last. The hearing was not complete at the end of the day’s sitting. . Sergeant Michael Redmond Murphy said he was 'duty sergeant on September 17. He described inspection visits to No. 4 and No. 2 hangars with Buckley. At No. 4 hangar Buckley had some discussion with Flight Sergeant Cutts, who had brought out the fire tender in response to a call from the corporal of the guard. There was a discussion with the corporal of the guard about a failure to open a door to one of the officers. Buckley remarke’d several times to witness that it was a bad show.” At No. 2 hangar the guard was assembled, and addressing it Buckley started off with ‘‘Well, you ,” but quickly said he should not address them as that. He was walking about with his han'ds in his pockets, and seemed to be unsteady on his feet. To Mr. Thomas, who appeared for Buckley, witness said he did not know Buckley had trouble with his knee and in any case had a somewhat rolling gait.' ■Corporal Henry John Duggan, who was in charge of the guard on No. 4 hangar, described banging at an office door which was not the one the guard was allowed to open. When Buckley came in he accused witness of putting on “a poor show.” JVhen the guard was paraded accused asked why two of the men were in pyjamas under their greatcoats and witness said thev were off duty and in bed when the alarm was sounded. Accused addressed the men. repeating “a — poor show.” Smell of Liquor.

A/C2 W. H. Carr, a member of the fire guard crew, said that when they arrived at the office door at No. 4 hangar, accused said to Flight Sergeant Cutts that he wanted, to get into the hangar. Cutts told him he could not get in that way. Accused then said. “That’s all —. 'Bash the — door in.” Witness could tell accused had been drinking by the smell of liquor and by the language. He heard accused

say, “ but did not know to whom these expletives were addressed

Questioned by the Court, witness said he was seven or eight feet away when he smelt liquor on accused. Accused, giving evidence on his own behalf, denied having his hands in his pockets when inspecting the emergency party. He used no language which could be complained of. He went to the C.G.I. door at No. 4 hangar to test the efficiency of the guard inside. He denied using bad language at this stage. He said nothing about “bashing down the door.” He admitted using the word “bloody,” when remarking to Murphy that it was “a —‘ bad show.” ■What he was objecting to was the time it took for the guard to respond. He had had some drinks about lunch time, a beer at 4 p.m., and three beers at the Sergeant’s mess. He paid for drinks at dinner time, but had none himself. He later inspected .the canteen, having one .beer there. From then on he had no liquor at all. Sergeant Roy Josiah Glen, in charge of both the wet and dry canteens, said Buckley was at the canteen for about 15 minutes at 9 p.m. He had one halfhandle and was sober when he - left.

Sergeant James Edward Abley, canteen staff, said he drew only one beer for Buckley, who was definitely not drunk or under the influence of liquor when he left. Captain James Henry Stormont, medical officer on the station, said he had Buckley under treatment for some time for chronic sinovitis. This would affect his gait. The Court then adjourned till tomorrow morning, when addresses by the prosecutor and defending counsel and the summing-up of the judge advocate will be heard.