BRISBANE RIOT

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 87, Issue 59, 12 March 1943, Page 1

BRISBANE RIOT

SERVICEMAN KILLED ATTACK ON MILITARY POLICE Sydney, March 5. Details of a serious nut among Allied servicemen at Brisbane on November 26 last, when a soldier was Killed, were given the other day at a United Slates court-martial. The Court found Norman J. Grant, a member of the United States Provost Corps, not guilty ol the manslaughter of Private E. S. Webster. The trouble started outside a canteen when a military policeman questioned an American serviceman about his leave pass. A provost officer got his men inside the canteen and held the door against the crowd pending the arrival of reserves. The reserves arrived armed with riot guns and rifles. One of the reserves was Grant.

Evidence was submitted that on arriving at the corner ot Cre"k and Adelaide Streets, Grant and a companion tried to break up a gathering of soldiers. They were the only military police outside the canteen at the time. The men were incensed when lhey saw the guns and kept calling out, "Put that gun away.” A provost sergeant who was on leave said he saw a soldier walk up to Grant and say: “What do you think you are going to do with that gun?" Grant warned the soldier who seized the gun. A shot was fired, and then Grant and his companion were rushed. A corporal who was with Grant said a man got a strong hold on Grant. ’’l knocked him out with the butt of my service revolver." he added.