EVERYTHING LOST

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 38, 14 February 1930, Page 9

EVERYTHING LOST

%. TRUST ABUSED

(ftPRCER SENT TO GAOL

#HE BRITISH LEGION

iProm "The Post's" Representative.) LONDON, 7th January. **I take my medicine like a man. ,"You ha.ye stripped me of my rank and decorations. I lose everything. I shall go and serve my sentence, and iope that I shall como back and make restitution to the Legion and my little family." This statement was made at "Westminster Polico Court on Saturday by Major Harold Edwin Chcesman, of Autiort Park, Highbury, speaking with emotion after he had been sentenced to four months' imprisonment in the second division. He had been summoned by Lieut.-Colonel 0. E. Crosiield, the chairman of tho National Executive Council of the British Legion, for stealing £486 12s 6a, moneys of the Legion. Mt. Gerald Dodson, for the prosecution, said defendant admitted taking the sum mentioned in various amounts between June and November last. He was secretary for the metropolitan area of the Legion, and was paid a salary of £500 a year. Ho was a highly trusted servant. In November last it was discovered that the accounts for the metropolitan area were not in order. A careful audit was being made about that time. Defendant was interviewed and admitted he had misappropriated various sums. AVhen confronted with the position, defendant said he would like to put in writing his explanation, and he wrote a letter to Colonel Crosficld. In this he stated: "If only I had gone to someone like you in 1026 when I joined the staff oJ; the British Legion and told you of my difficulties I would not have brought this humiliation on myself and family. What hurts me so much is that I have ■brought disgrace on the British Legion, and the shock to so many people who thought well of me. "I do not want to white-wash myself or to plead any justification for my wrong-doing, but 1 want you to Jcuotv the cause of it all. Those who know me will, I am sure, believe me when I say I have not benefited by one penny, and everything has gone to others." HEAVILY. IN DEBT. Mr. Dodson said that afterwards Cheesman referred to how his houso was burned down in Ireland, aiid how he got into debt there in connection with work for ex-Service men. He came to England in 1925 and becamo the secretary of the area in 1926. He brought his family to England, obtained inferior accommodation, and was involved in a lawsuit which cost him £91. He was pressed by creditors, and lad recourse to moneylenders; which made his position worse. He - took .money which did not belong to him, and this had gone on since 1927. In a second letter to Colonel Crosfield, Major Cheesman said that he had to admit a deficit of £486 12s 7d. "It had been used primarily," he ■wrote, "in meeting debts to moneylenders and others and liabilities contracted in Ireland in respect. of a house." Mr. Dodsou said that was the explanation of Major Cheesman, who came to the Legion with excellent references. "It is a great pity," continued Mr. Dodsoflj ''that he did not tell Colonel Crosfield he was then in debt. Had ho done so, I do not suppose that would have made any difference to his appointment because his credentials were of the highest. "He was a regular soldier. He enlisted in 1009, was commissioned on the. field in 1916, promoted from lieutenant to major in three days in 1917, and awarded tho Military Cross. This is a matter which naturally has given rise to a good deal of comment in the public Press, and it is only right that the pubiic should be deeply interested in a fund such as that administered by the British Legion. "While, in a large organisation of this kind, it is impossible to prevent things of this sort happening from time to time, they are infrequent, and it is just as well it should be known that they cannot happen without being discovered. The Legion is run upon strictly business lines, and those responsible feel the necessity for the utmost care and business accuracy in dealing with this great reservoir of national benevolence. " Mr. Stanley Marsh, a representative of the auditors to the Legion, gave details of the various accounts. Mr. Dodson replying to a question put by Mr. Money to Marsh, said that it waa not suggested that Major Cheesman had robbed any of the poor dependents of the Legion. TERRORISM IN IRELAND. Mr. Douglas W. Money, on behalf of Cheesman, said that he distinguished himself in tho Army, had won the M.C., and was mentioned in dispatches. After the war he went to Ireland, and when he got there found that the exService- men were entirely unorganised. He guaranteed a lot of accounts, using his own money for that purpose, hoping to be paid back later. "Then the revolution came,, his house was burned down, he was taken up into the hills, tried .by a so-called court-martial, and threatened . with shooting. He never got the money tack, and that has been his difficulty. He got into the hands of moneylenders, not for his own debts, but for the men he tried to assist. I have here a bundle of testimonials, than which I have never seen any bettor, from the British Legion thanking him for his services. "If he is convicted he will lose his rank, he will lose his decorations, he will lose everything. At present he has lost his situation." At this stage a man, speaking with a pronounced Irish accent, stood up at tho back of the Court and asked: "May I say a word?" Major Cheesman leaned across to Mr. Money and explained that the man had saved his life in Ireland. Mr. Money (to the Magistrate): "This man saved my client's life in Ireland when he was sentenced to be shot out of hand. I do not see, however, how it. would benefit Major Chfiesman for him to give evidence,"as it is not evidence of character." Mr. Gill, passing sentence, said that it was" lamentable to see a man of Major Cheesman's character and antecedents in such a position. He could not, however, regard the case as one temptation and pass it over without punishment. He passed sentence of four months' imprisonment in the socon'l division. Major Cheesman said he should like to say he greatly admired tho way the Legion had carried out the prosecution. "I only hope while lam away," ha added, "my friends will remember the work I have done for the Legion, ibst I have suffered, and that they will do their best to take care of mv family."

J8.7 epsdtl arrangement lleuter'B world nerflc* is addition to other special sources of intoraatlon Is nfeti in the compilation of tho ajarscs inteUlgenca published in tbis issue and «fl rights therein In AtMlralia and New ZcaVfesd dfa reKrycd.