CONVICTED ON HIS OWN EVIDENCE

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXVI, 5 April 1933, Page 5

CONVICTED ON HIS OWN EVIDENCE

NAVAL OFFICER DISMISSED HIS SHIP PLYMOUTH, 17th February. Lieutenant Anthony Cecil Capel Miers, of 11.M.5. Dart, was dismissed his ship and severely reprimanded by a naval court martial at Devonport to-day for attempting to strike a stoker. Lieutenant Miers is well known in Rugby circles. He formerly played regularly for the London Scottish and figured in trial matches for Scotland and the Royal Navy. Evidence was given that on returning to his ship early an sth February, Lieutenant Miers had a conversation on football matters with a stoker, John Jenkins, and became excited. attempted to strike the stoker, to whom lie later apologised. Lieutenant Miers himself reported the incident to his commanding officer, as a result of which the court martial was held. Neither Jenkins, nor the lieutenant, who gave evidence, could give any reason for the quarrel. On behalf of the accused, Paymaster Lieutenant-Commander R. 11. Johnson said that the matter would never have come to light had not the accused reported it himself. He was therefore self-convicted. The incident was generally known throughout the ship, but members of the ship’s company wore unwilling to come forward to give evidence until ordered to do so.

“It is greatly to his credit,” added Lieutenant-Commander Johnson, “that his sense of duty was so strong as to compel him to reveal the matter to his commanding officer.”