A SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXVI, Issue 7565, 8 May 1919, Page 5

A SOLDIER'S DISAPPEARANCE.

WELLINGTON, May 7. [ The military inquiry into the circumstances attending the disappearance of Rifleman John Russell from the Mararoa, en route from Wellington to Lyttelton, on October 24th last, was resumed at Wellington to-day. Evidence was given by John Hutchison, secretary of the Wellington Tramway Union, a cousin of deceased, that Russell returned from active service on October Bth and was ordered to Hanmer for curative treatment, but was granted 14 days' leave. Russell seemed queer in the head, and was under the impression that people were following him. He hinted frequetly about doing away with himself. Witness endeavoured to get him placed in military confinement, l>i:t on approaching the military police he was told there was no place in which to confine him, owing to the influx of returned soldiers. Great difficulty was experienced in getting Russell to the steamer. Russell escaped from the boat, and went to a friend's house. He then appeared to be in a worse state than before. Deceased passed a bad night, and disappeared in the morning, but was recaptured after a long search and placed on the Mararoa under escort. On the voyage down to Lyttelton he disappeared. Capt. Brimsley was also examined. His evidence showed that Russell was sent down in charge of Stephens. Russell got up a number of times during the night. Early in the morning, Stephens accompanied him to the lavatory from which he disappeared whilf* the attendant's back was turned. He was never seen again. Witness did not know that Russell was a shell-shock case. His papers showed that he was suffering from trench fever.