WATER IN BEER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23139, 10 September 1938, Page 2 (Supplement)

WATER IN BEER

SERGEANT "ON THE MAT"

ACTION QUICjCLY DETECTED Sergeant Charles Frederick Jackson, of the Ist Battalion, the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry, agreed at a district court-martial at Chelsea barracks, that while lie was caterer at the detachment's sergeants' mess at the Tower of London he added water to the beer.

He pleaded guilty to three charges of adulterating half of the beer in his charge; performing his duties so negligently that a- loss of £8 7s TVSd was caused; and absenting himself without leave.

The summary of evidence stated that a glass of beer drawn from a cask in the mess by another soldier acting as caterer was "very weak and watery."

Jackson handed in a written statement that he returned to England from India with his wife and child in March, and weather conditions made it necessary to buy warmer clothing for them. liis allowance —his only resourco —was soon spent.

When he was posted to the Tower and separated from his wife and family, he had to keep himself and his home going. He became involved in financial troubles. Jackson expressed his regret. The decision of the court will bp promulgated.