COURT MARTIAL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 12757, 29 September 1919, Page 7

COURT MARTIAL.

SOLDIER’S ESCAPE FROM BARRACKS, CASHMERE SANATORIUM INCIDENT. / Private Herbert Richard Green, New Zealand. Army Medical Corps, was charged by court-martial this morning that, “ having been sentenced, to . a priod of detention by his commanding officer, at Cashmere Military Sanitorium, he broke out of barracks at 1-30 p.m. on August 19, prior to his removal to detention barracks, and that he remained absent until 6.30 p-ra- on September 11.” Lieutenant-Colonel A. E. Loach was president of the Court, and Majors F. P. O. Smith and R. M’Cartney were members. Major S. C. Nicholls was prosecutor, and Mr C. G. Sommers appeared for the accused, who pleaded not guilty. Major Nicholls stated that the accused had been given fourteen days' confinement to baracks for being absent without leave> and absented himself from barracks while so confinedHe was then given' fourteen days’ field punishment No. 2, for breaking barracks while . undergoing punishment After being given detention and while waiting to be transferred to the detention barracks he escaped. Staff-sergeant W. J. Travis, senior non-commissioned officer at the ’ Cashmere Military Sanitorium, stated that on August 19, Private Green was charged at the orderly room with absenting himself while a defaulter. He was removed to the barrack room, and whilst arrangements were being made to secure his kit, he absconded. He remained absent until 6.30 a.m .on September 11. Staff Quartermaster-sergeant H. Lockwood gave similar evidence. Private Booth, stationed at the Cashmere Military Sanitorium, stated that he was the escort in charge of Private Green ori August 19. He went from the barrack room to the orderly room and left Private Green alone by his bed. Witness then went to his own bedroom and removed his belt. When coming from his dormitory he saw the accused running down the hill. To Major Nicholls: Ho was absent from accused a few. minutes only. Accused; I want to know what the witness means by a few minutes. He slates that when he came out of his bedroom, I was a hundred yards dowu tlie hill, carrying a bag. The president; A few minutes means a few minutes, I presume- What difference does it make? Accused; It makes this difference, that I had managed to get a hundred yards awayThe president: But you could do a hundred yards in ten seconds, 1 pose.Accused: Not me, after three and u half years at the war. Witness than stated that he could not state the actual time he was absent, but it would, not be more than three minutes. This closed the prosecution. The accused asked for the case to be dismissed, owing to an irregularity oc- ■ purring under paragraph 473 of King’s Regulations, relating to keeping a private soldier in custody. He stated, that on Friday last he was allowed to come into _ town, with his escort, and was wearing civilian clothes at the time. 'This should not be permitted according to the regulations. “The Court disallowed the application. Accused, ip. evidence, stated that ho . had given himself up to Staff-sergeant Travis in Christchurch, when the latter was returning to Cashmere in a motorcar on the evening of September 9. Staff-sergeant Travis refused to take mm in the car, and replied, “ You will get a car of your own and pay your own fare.” Between August 19 .and P®ptembcr 9 he spent his time partly in Christchurch and partly at the Sanitorium. The president ; At what times were yon at the Sanitorium? Accused: Mostly at nights. The president: Hid you ever report to the orderly room ? Accused: No, sir. found the accused guilty of the chai*go. Sentence will b© promulgated in due course.