NO. 1 FIELD PUNISHMENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 6 May 1925, Page 7

NO. 1 FIELD PUNISHMENT.

SOME REMINISCENCES. The publication in the Star of a paragraph announcing the abolition of what was known in the army as No. 1 field punishment, and which involved punishment in the form of the tying of the prisoner to a gunwheel, or some fixed object, has stirred up memories in the minds of numbers of returned soldiers who happened to have witnessed such restraint. One local -ex-soldier recalls an interesting occurrence in Egypt. He said that two Aussies were leaving the camp on leave when, passing along the banks of the Canal, their attention was attracted by a “Tommy tied to a gun wheel. Pitying the poor fellow’s plight, they chose an opportune time when the sentry was not looking, and cut the Englishman loose. On their return later, however, thev found that their friend the “Tommy ’ had been caught and tied up again, so they determined to take more drastic action.' Returning to their Aussie friends they obtained reinforcements, and.in double quick time had the prisoner liberated and the gun carriage tipped into the Canal. It is stated that the punishment was not repeated. From another source a Star reporter was informed of a somewhat similar instance which occurred at Moascar, where the New Zealanders were encamped subsequent to the evacuation of Gallipoli. In expiation of sundry contraventions of the King’s regulations a New Zealander was ordered the drastic No. 1 field punishment, and with a philosophical grin was undergoing the customary two hours daily tied to a post in front of the battalion quarter guard. Usually the “diggers” not affected took but little notice of such instances, but as in this case the punishment entailed the prisoner’s humiliation before various camel drivers and other jeering natives' allowed access to the camp, his comrades took decided objection to the public exhibition. Led by one of the übiquitous “Aussies” who always a-ppeared when any demonstration was afoot, several hundred sympathisers gathered round the trussed up defaulter and, ignoring the guard’s half-hearted attempts to interfere, cut him free and handed him over to the sergeant of the guard with an injunction to keep him inside the guard tent. Just as this was done an irate adjutant galloped up, and was given a terse Summary of the crowd’s opinion by a glib son of Erin acting as spokesman. The. sequel took place at a battalion parade which was called immediately, when the colonel, who, despite his reputation as a strict disciplinarian, was imbued with a complete understanding of the digger mind, gave an assurance that in future those sentenced to No. 1 field punishment would not he compelled to undergo its terms in view of the natives.