SOLDIER CONVICTS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 2118, 23 May 1925, Page 3

SOLDIER CONVICTS.

MEN WHO MADE GOOD

ATONEMENT FOR THE PAST

A wolnclerM feature of the war was the part played by many 'convicts win! were released from prison to join tho fighting .services. Some oi (them abused the trust placed in them. But, on tlie whole, they did splendid Avork. Scotland Yard records contain the names of scores of convicts and exconvicts who “made good” during the Avar; many of them, indeed, Avon the highest decorations. When it Avas first suggested that men of military age, serving sentences of imprisonment, should be released to join the army or navy, the authorities Avere dubious. Finally, hoAvever, such men AA-ere encouraged to enlist, and even some of those who in peace f&ime would have been regarded as a danger to the (community Avere allowed to leaA r e the great penal institutions to swell the ranks of the fighting forces. Inquiries shoAA r that, on 'the whole, these men justified the confidence placed in them. Several of them Avon the V C., and many others Avere awarded the Military Medal or the D.C.M. Tavo men Avho had been a never-ending source of troluble to the police before the war, gained their decorations three or four times oA r er, and were ahvays ready to undertake hazardous duties. It Avas inevitable that, Avith many ex-detective officers and cx-Avardei s serving Avith the forces, (there should be dramatic meetings in unexpected places between men Avhoi Avere Avout to look upon each otlier a.s natural enemies. , . . A story is told of a detective who recognised in the batman of an officei oi. high rank «i> notorious thief. Nat* ural instinct prompted, him to warn tho officer of the risk he Avas running in trusting such a man. On the other hand, he felt that to reveal the triijth would hardly be playing the game. At last, however, suspicion gained the upper hand, and the khaki-clad detective sought to put Ithe officer on his guard. But he Avas merely told to mind his oavh business, and reminded that so long as tho man Avas a good soldier, his past Avas of no consequence. On leaving prison fdr the army, a convict became an ordinary citizen, and Avas under no obligation to tell the military authorities anything regarding his past. Some of the criminals avlio exchanged prison garb for klial« betniyed the trust that Avas placed in them, and used their uniforms to enable them the more easily to carry out sAvindles and robberies. In most cases, hoAA’ever, men from prison earned the admiration of their fellows and the appreciation of their officers.

A striking case was that of a confirmed poacher from the Midlands, avlio l»d served many sentences for snaring rabbits at niglflt. When he reached the trenches, the knoAvledge lie had gained, in his nocturnal expeditions proved in\ r aluable, and lie used it in capturing enemy soldiers, and eventually Avon the V.O. Unhappily, this man paid the penalty fdr his heroism Avith his life, but his memory Avill always be honoured in the town, Avhere he Avas formerly regarded as a nuisance and a serious danger to anyone avlio interfered Avith him when he was out poaching.

A warder avlu> survived the Avar is fond of recalling an incident in Avhifch he was dne of the chief participators. Hie noticed that Avhcnever he was in a tight corner one man Avas ahvays ready to stand by his side. Ift Avas not until this man had received fatal Avounds that the Avarder learned tlie reason.

The dying soldier explained that years before his brother had told him of many kindly acts done for him by a. Avarder Avhile he Avas in prison. While on leave he had recognised the warder from a photograph, and had promised his brother to “keep an eye” on the ex-prison official. An essential feature of the scheme under Avhicli convicts Avere released was that the men should join Avhatevep units they liked. They AA r ere thus able to conceal their identity, and had equal /chances of promotion Avith their comrades.

An official closely in touch Avitli the scheme expressed satisfaction at the AA’ay it Avorked out. “Some men avlio had lived on the community foxyears made magnificent soldiers,” ho said. “Their prison life had accustomed them to discipline, and in many instances they Avel corned the prospect of leaving the monotonous routine of prison life, and joining in Avhat Avas to them a life of real adventure.

“Many of them never returned, and not a I’cav Avere maimed for the rest of their days. Among those avlio did come back are site avlio liave gone straight ever siiyee. The Avar gave them- an opportunity of getting aAvay from old associates, and they made the most of it.”