SOLDIER COURT MARTIALLED

Chronicle (Levin), 2 September 1947, Page 6

SOLDIER COURT MARTIALLED

AUCKLAND. Sept. I. Two soldiers pleaded guilty to separato charges of desertion 011 active service and absence without leave when they appeared before a District Court Martial at Papakura military camp. The sentences of the court will be submitted to the convening officer Brigadier R. S. Park, officer comnianding tlie nbrthcrn military district, after which they will be promulgated. Guimer Maleolm Robert Brown, aged 22, New Zealand Teniporarv Stalf, Area J, was eharged with desertion from Ifllth Battery, 9th Coast Regiment of the Royal New Zealand Artillery at Waiheke, from Novembcr 25, 1040. until Auguat 9 last when he was arrested in civilian clotliing. The value of cquipment which he admitted losing was £17 17s 5d. Private Desmond Larry Patriek Malone, aged 21, of 3rd Battalion, second relicf draft of J Force, admitted being absent without leave from Papakura while he was on active service. Ile was away from June 23 until August 14 when he was arrested in Palmerston Nortli. Equipment valued at £11 14s was also lost by accused. When he was 19, Malone got his parents to sigii a paper giving him permission to join the interim armv, said the defending officer. He was keen to enlist with the J Force but his parents disapproved so he changed the words interim ariny on the paper to occupation force for Japan. Since then conditions at home had prayed on his mind at.l he decided to return and see his parents.