EX-OFFICER’S PLIGHT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 December 1927, Page 6

EX-OFFICER’S PLIGHT.

ON VERGE OF STARVATION. POLICE COURT STORY. The plight of an ex-olficer was related at Marylebone Police Court recently when Ronald Thomas Groube, son of the late Colonel Groube, was charged with stealing and receiving ±4 15s from a gas meter at Inverness Terrace, Bayswater, W., and £1 11s from his present address in Kensington Garden Square, ivays water. Mr. Freke Palmer, defending, said Groupe was aged 25 and was married, with one child. Educated at a public school, he aitenvarsd went to Sandhurst, was given a commission in the Cameronians, and gened until August, 1923.

In that year lie married without his commanding ollicer’s consent. That is an olfence, and as Groupe also overstayed his leave lie was dismissed from the service. He afterwards obtained a position as sports master at a. school, but when it was found that ho was married he was called on to resign. Since then he had been out of a

post, his cliiJd had developed bronchial piieumoniaj and he and his wife had been practically on the verge of starvation Desperately pressed, lie committed the ollences with which he was charged. The Ex-Services Welfare Society, Mr. Palmer added, had since paid his debts, mainly arrears of rent, and given him a job. He had been in this position ever since. The society proposed to make restitution to tlie gas company.

Mr. Bing Icy, the magistrate, bourn Groupe over to come up lor judgmem it called upon within twelve months. _