NAVAL HERO IN TROUBLE

Otago Witness, Issue 3470, 14 September 1920, Page 20

NAVAL HERO IN TROUBLE

THE COURT SYMPATHETIC

William Tjleodore Thompson, the ex-naval man who was before the court a, week ago for theft, came up for sentence on the 10th before Mr J. E. Bartholomew, S.M. The charges against Thompson were that he had stolen £1 and a watch, and chain, valued at £2O, the property of Elizabeth Maud Pledger. a Chief Detective Bishop handed in a statement and documents indicating the man's remarkably fine naval record! and his part in some of the most brilliant sea episodes in the lata war. He said that since the adjournment he had made exhaustive inquiries into the case. Thompson was one of a family of six. His father died before the war. His sister was killed! in the first Zeppelin raid on London, and he had four brothers killed in the war, so that he was the only one left. He had no doubt that what the man said about his French decorations and medals was true. As a residt of their inquiries both he and the military authorities had satisfied themselves that the man was quite genuine. Ho, could detail every part of his submarine journey through' the Dardanelles and how they cut their way through the nets. They were 77 days in the Sea of Mai-niora, and on. the first day they blew up three Turkish

warships. He was a first-class engineer, and could get a situation here "without any trouble. He was quite prepared to pay back all the money he had taken, and had given his word of honour that he would not touch drink again. Mr F. G-. Cuniming eaid that those who had brought the proceedings had no desire that the man should be punished. " He was quite satisfied that the man could and would miake good. Mr Bartholomew told Thompson he did not intend to deliver any sermon to him. He was sure he felt very keenly his present position. He was a man with a most excellent war record, of which any man might be proud, and he had suffered severely in the losses sustained in his family. He intended to give him a chance, as he had no doubt ho would profit by it. He would be admitted to probation for two years, one of the conditions being that he tcok out prohibition orders covering that period. Every opportunity would be given him to make good, and lie was sure he- would do .BO and bee come a member of the community of whoirr they might all be proud.