GUARDS’ COURT-MARTIAL

Greymouth Evening Star, 10 August 1933, Page 4

GUARDS’ COURT-MARTIAL

REFUSAL TO TELL TALES. LONDON, June 27. Corporal Arthur William Bland, 2nd Battalion Scots Guards, was charged before a district court-martial at Chelsea Barracks yesterday, with ill-treat-ing Guardsman L. Searson by striking him in the face with his hand and with the butt of a rifle. Guardsman Searson said that his platoon was on all-night operations during Friday and Saturday, May 26 and 27. Early on Saturday morning they were halted by the BagshotCamberlej' road. An order to advance was given, and they were just moving off when Corporal Bland came behind him and struck him in

the face. Later, Corporal Bland pushed him in the back. “It made me fall forwards, and I turned round and hit him with my fist,” added Searson. “Corporal Bland then lifted his rifle and hit me in the face with the butt.” Guardsman G. Hardy said that he saw an N.C.O. come up from behind and strike Guardsman Seal son. The president (Major J. A. C. Whitaker, Coldstream Guards): Did you see who the N.C.O. was? —Yes. Was it the accused? —I cannot answer that question, sir. The president: I admire your sentiments about not wanting to tell tales, but you have taken an oath Io toll the truth. Was the accused the N.C.O. you saw? Hardy: J won’t say whether it was or not. The President: Perjury and contempt. of court are very serious of-| fences. You arc quite young, and J do not want you to commit them without. full warning of the consequenccs.i 1 will give you an opportunity of leaving the court to think it over. Hardy was recalled later, and in reply to the president, said that he identified Corporal Bland as the N.C.O. concerned. The president: I admire your spirit in trying not to get anyone into trouble, and the attitude might be all right elsewhere, but not here. You have done nothing dishonourable in giving a. straight answer to the quesi ion. Corporal Bland, giving evidence, denied the alleged assault, and said he thought that the charge was made by Searson in an effort to lighten his own punishment when he was report-X ed for making improper remarks. The Court found Corporal Bland not guilty. The president said that it. was quite possible that Bland might have Just touched the guardsman and committed a technical assdult. Hs advised him to be most punc ms in that respect in future. '