SOLDIER’S DILEMMA

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 86, Issue 307, 30 December 1942, Page 2

SOLDIER’S DILEMMA

“NOT ON THE BOOKS” CHARGE OF DESERTION. Sydney. Dec. 19. The remarkable story ci a man who was unwanted, yet wanted by the Australian Army, was unfolded at a courtmartial in Sydney. The man said that he still did not know whether he was a soldier or a bus conduc or. At the court-martial ai Viciona Barracks the president. Major A. C. Elliot, announced that Private Georg" Albert Lind had been found not guilty of desertion, and discharged, and idd him that he shculd see his a 7 ?a oilicer and have the matter cleared up. Lind, an employee of the Transport Department, was alleged to have been absent from his unit from March 27 until December 9. According to evidence he went to camp on the verbal advice of an officer. He had not received any written call-up. “At the country 7 camp,” said Lind. “I could not obtain uniform or shoes, because there were no papers there for me.” He was ordered to a mechanical school, he said, and while there two letters were sent to him through the pay sergeant from Eastern Command asking him to explain why he was in camp. After the course he was sent to Sydney, and later was told by an officer at the pay office that he should not be there. He was told to go to the area officer, where he was informed that he would have to be called up again, as he was not on the books. “At the area office I was told to go back to work until I was called up,” said Lind. “I immediately applied for an identification card, which was issued to me. Later I was asked to go to Victoria Barracks to explain why J was not in camp. I was arrested on December 9.”