HID IN RANGES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 6, Issue 58, 23 March 1943, Page 6

HID IN RANGES

SOLDIER CAUGHT IN BUSH ARRESTED BY WAIHI POLICE Tlie story of liow he had hidden in the bush, for about nine months until arrested by the Wailii civilian police on February 24, 1943, was told by Private C. V. Hut ton on Friday when he faced a district courtmartial at Auckland 011 two charges: (1) of deserting" His Majesty's forces, and (2) of escaping from custody. He pleaded, not guilty. It was revealed in evidence that Hutton had never worn a uniform. It was stated by the authorities that he had originally been a defaulter, in that. he. had failed to register for military service. After he had beenj dealt with on that ground, he was being taken in civilian clothes under escort to Wellington on May 21, 1942. At Frank ton he left the train. He was not seen again until aiv rested. Hutton, in evidence, claimed that he had no intention of deserting. He said .lie went, into a convenience at the Frankton station and while the.re heard a train pull out. He thought it was a second train that had been at the station but' found when he came out that both had left. "In view of my unpleasant memory of civil detention, I got the wind up and took a taxi to Waihi," lie said. "From there I immediately went into the bush and stayed there for eight months.'' Hutton said that food had been taken to< him there. He was afraid to reveal himself because lie had been told that orders had been given to shoot him on sight. He was prepared to return to the army. The finding of the Court, which was presided over by Major W. S. Hill, will be forwarded to tlie convener, Major-General P. H. Bell, D.5.0., Officer Commanding the Northern Military District, for confirmation.