SOLDIERS AS LONDON CLUB SERVANTS

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 213, 28 May 1918, Page 6

SOLDIERS AS LONDON CLUB SERVANTS

A WEST END DISCLOSURE.

A remarkable story of two soldiers being allowed periodical leave from Chester to resume their uork at a AVest End Club in London ->as + old at Marlborough Street Police Court, when -ohn Wilson Taylor, secretary of the Bath Club, Dover Street, W., was summoned for making nu incomplete return of the club's servants. For the prosecution Mr. Herbert iluskett said that tho two men were a porter and cashier. They joined the Arny early in 1917, and were sett to Chester, where they came under the orders or; Colonel Maekay, Assistant Provost Marshal. From time to time they had been allowed to'return to London and resiiiiio their duties in the club uniform. Their names were/ no'; included in the club a list of employees. . In his evidence Mr. Taylor said Colonel Maekay, a well-known member of the club, told him the men were graded l>, were employed in the military police, and could in their spare time work at the club. He (Mr. Taylor) considered that as the lira were in the Army it was not necessary to put them in the list ol servants, and that Colonel Maekay had authority to dealt as ho chose with tna men under his command. . Mr. Muskett said that Colone Maekay and a subordinate officer are under f arre»fi in connection with other charges. Mr. Travers Humphreys, in defence pleaded that tho'men wore not servants ot two club, but soldiers merely lent to the clul>, being paid no wages. Mr. Mead cequitted Mr. Taylor of any mala fides, but ordered him to pay a hue of £VU; with 5 guineas costs.