Marriage Or Borstal? Ex-Guardsman Sets Court A Problem

Northern Advocate, 27 May 1941, Page 7

Marriage Or Borstal? Ex-Guardsman Sets Court A Problem

Is a marriage or Borstal training the best treatment for a young man of abnormal mentality and outstandingcourage who has thrown away his chances?

That was the problem set before the Marylebone magistrate recently by Mr. Christmas Humphreys, barrister, when defending Harold Calvert (20), a welleducated' private in the Military Police, who pleaded guilty to desertion and theft.

Detective Whiting said Calvert took a car while employed as a chauffeur and sold it for £7O. He stole a suitcase from another car, and an ermine coat and 30 volumes of an encyclopaedia from a house in Adelaide Road where he had lodged. In The Guards at 16

Calvert enlisted in the Guards at the age of 16 by giving a false age. He had driven a hire-car in London during the heaviest raids and had risked his life to rescue a gardener near his father’s house at Willesden when a heavy bomb fell. Mr. Humphreys said Calvert was of abnormal mentality, strong will, and super-abundant energy, which had not been directed in normal channels. Sought New Outlets

After a three months’ sentence his pent-up energies sought an outlet in the Merchant Service, but that service turned him dowij. He tried the R.A.F. His convictions stopped him there. He got into the Military Police. He got among dissolute companions in the West End and was found the worse for drink in a famous hotel.

He was now engaged to a youngwoman who was anxious to marry him and help him. Borstal or prison would be the worst thing for his high spirits. Calvert promised to end his “foolish career” and make restitution.

The magistrate remanded him for a Borstal report.