TALKS WITH SOLDIERS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 89, 12 October 1938, Page 11

TALKS WITH SOLDIERS

AN ARMS CHARGE

MENTION OF SPAIN

LORRY-D r"VER FOR TRIAL

ißy Air Mail, from "The Post's" London Representative.) LONDON, September 5. A letter from the Spanish Embassy relating to volunteers and talks in aj public-house about an arms store were mentioned at Chester on September 1. Archibald Norman Longworth, 38, motor-lorry driver, of Trafford Park, Manchester, against whom a charge under the Official Secrets Act was withdrawn two days previously, appeared on remand on a substituted charge. He was accused of soliciting and inciting Joseph Goraon Icke, a soldier, to steal certain armaments irom the depot of the Cheshire Regiment, The Castle, Chester, between August 13 and 17.

Longworth was committed for trial at the Knutsford Quarter Sessions. He pleaded not guilty and reserved his defence. Bail was refused.

Joseph Gordon Icke, who said that he was a private in the Cheshire Regiment, stationed at Chester Castle, stated that on August 13 he and Private Quigley went to the Golden Eagle public-house about 6.30. After about half an hour Longworth approached and said "Hello" to" Quigley. They accepted an invitation to have a drink and all three sat down at a table. Another civilian came and sat at their table.

"The accused spoke with the newcomer in what I thought was foreign language,",said Icke. "I couldn't understand what they were saying." The newcomer did not join in another conversation in English. Longworth asked them if they could draw a map of the inside of the castle, and also asked him (Icke) if he could get any parts of machine-guns or rifles. MACHINE-GUNS AND ARMS. . Icke said that before Longworth left him on August 13 he asked about ma-chine-guns and arms. "He asked me if I would like to get out of the country and said he could get me out to Spain. ' "Longworth showed me a photograph of himself in uniform, which, he said, was when he was in the Russian Army." Mr. Paling: Was anything said about the contents of the storeroom? —He asked me what there was in it and I said that there were Lewis guns, ma-chine-guns, and rifles. I asked Longworth how he was going to get the stuff away. He replied: "In a car. I have done a job at Aldershot." On August 17, Icke continued, he went to .iackford with Detective-Ser-geant Ennion, who was in uniform. They saw Longworth some 100 yards away. Longworth later said that he did not come up to them as he did not know who Icke's mate was. He (Icke) told Longworth that he had to bring his mate as he was "on the stores." Longworth went away and after he came back gave him (Icke) a 10s note. He also gave a small packet of cigarettes to both Ennion and witness. Longworth later said: "I cannot do the job tonight. The gaffer has not turned up with the car." The witness said he asked Longworth if they could see the boss and the reply was: "The boss sees no one." Longworth asked 'him when his night off was and who would take his place. He told witness andEnnion that they would get one-third of the value of whatever they got. Witness asked Longworth how he Intended to carry out the job and the reply was, "We shall go in the car through the front entrance (of Chester Castle). If we do it barefaced nobody will take any notice." The witness was not cross-examined, counsel deferring it at tee present stage. REFERENCE TO MAPS. Private Sidney Quigley, of the Cheshire Regiment, stationed at Chester Castle, said that on the evening of August 6 he went to the "Golden Eagle." He was in uniform. Longworth, a stranger to him, came. and spoke to him. Nothing was said about the Army. There was general conversation. On August 13, Quigley continued, he went with. Icke to the same hotel, where they saw Longworth. Shortly afterwards another man joined them. This man and Longworth spoke in a foreign tongue which he could not understand. Later, while he (Quigley) and Icke were in the cloakroom, Longworth asked them to draw maps of the castle. Detective-Sergeant John Ennion, stationed at Altrincham. described going to Backford on August 17 in the uniform of a private of the Cheshire Regiment. He was accompanied by Private Icke. Near Backford Church they stood for a few minutes until they saw Longworth standing some way along the road. Witness said to Longworth: "I am coming in on this." Later Longworth said: "The gaffer may not be here till early morning. I cannot do the job tonight." Longworth said: "It is machine-guns we are interested in," and added* "We can get what we want and get away. It will be dangerous to leave the car in the street outside." The witness then disclosed his identity. Longworth replied: "It's all right. I have only been leading you up the garden." When charged, he replied, "Not guilty." THE SPANISH EMBASSY. When Longworth was searched, a letter was found in his possession from the Spanish Embassy, dated March & 1938. Mr. Paling read the letter. It was addressed to W. Longworth, at the' Fourth Cottage, "The Nook," Backford, and was as follows:— "Dear Sir, —In answer to your letter of March 1, I have to inform you that although I do appreciate your offer to help our country, the Spanish Government has no connection with sending volunteers to Spain. Therefore I am afraid I cannot help you in this matter.—Yours faithfully." There followed, said Mr. Paling, the signature of a Counsellor at the Embassy. , Detective-Sergeant Wilkes said that while searching a room in the cottage which Longworth said that he occupied, he found a booklet dealing with the conditions of service of officers in the Supplementary Reserve, together with three amendments to the conditions. Lieutenant Astley John Cooper, Adjutant of the Depot of the Cheshire Regiment at the Castle, said that arms and ammunition for military purposes were stored at the castle.

This concluded the case for the prosecution.

The Bench committed Longworth for triaj.

The ceiling and walls of a washhouse at 6 Penrose Avenue, Newtown, were badly damaged by a fire which was reported at 9.35 a.m. today. Two engines attended, and the outbreak was soon under control. The premises are occupied by Mrs. R. M. Illing. It is believed that the fire was caused by sparks coming in contact with rubbish.