TWO SOLDIERS CHARGED WITH DESERTION

Greymouth Evening Star, 2 September 1947, Page 3

TWO SOLDIERS CHARGED WITH DESERTION

(P.A.) AUCKLAND, Sept. 1. Two soldiers pleaded _ guilty to separate charges of desertion on active service and absence without leave when they appeared before a court-martial at Papakura military camp today. The sentences of the court will be submitted to the convening officer (Brigadier R. S. Park, Officer Commanding Northern Military District), after which they will be promulgated. Gunner Malcolm Robert Brown, aged 22, New Zealand Temporary Staff, area 1, was charged with desertion from the 164th Battery, 9th Coast Regiment, Royal New Zealand Artillery, at Waiheke from November 25, 1946, until August 9 last, when he was arrested in civilian clothing. The value of equipment which he admitted losing was £l7 17s sd. . . Private Desmond Larry Patrick Malone, aged 21, of 3rd Battalion, 2nd Relief Draft of J Force, admitted being absent without leave from Papakura while he was on active service. He was away from June 2u until August 14, when he was arrested in Palmerston North. Equipment valued at £ll 14s was lost by, accused. * When he was 19, Malone got his parents to sign a paper giving him permission to join the Interim Army, said the defending officer. He was keen to enlist with the J Force, but his parents disapproved, so he changed the words “Interim Army on the paper to “Occupation Force for Japan.” Since then conditions a:, home had preyed on his mind and he had decided to return to see his parents. ..