Many Enlistments

Horowhenua Chronicle, 5 October 1915, Page 3

Many Enlistments

HEM A LIKABLE CAREER Ol , ' A ItAAKER. An extraordinary story was told at Southeud Police Court recently, when Eric Patrick Cosmo ' Uordjn O'Kcllic, aged 25, a lieutenant in the loth lliflo Brigade, was charged with forging a nomination paper to obtain a commission in His 'Majesty's Army on April 10.

Mr Marker, for the Director ol Public prosecutions, said that the"accused on April 10th applied lor a commission in the Rifle Brigade, and gave as references the signatures of the Rev. Father lliggin, of St. Joseph's Uuikli'ord, and Mr Gregory, headmaster of I3elvedere College, Hay ward's Heath, but neither of tho gentlemen had signed tlie document. Evidence would also be given that accused already nad held a commission in the army since the beginning of the war. He applied for a commission in October in tne Duke of Cornwall's Light Inl'aiitiv- '.ml put forward two nomination papenv" . At that time he put down his name as Seymour lvv ■ ly. and he was granted a commission vr the 7th Royal Fusiliers in that name. Later, by deed ]>011. lie changed 'iii> name to Percy Symonds do Willotighby. and by that name was known to the Battalion. His career was a short oii'\ -and most of the i-itnc m> was on .vick leave, spent at hoiirnemouth "iind ot-li"M-places. In cdiiseijiience <'l lu's conduct Jie was ordered to return to his regiment, ami. in fact, an officer fetched him back. lie was put umler close arrest and subsequently resigned. -e

was then placed in open arrest. avli.mi he decamped. Rle then went to B'venlisted in tlie loth i! ■! Brigade as a private, and later applied fora coin mission on a forged document. It was granted to him in the name ot O'Kellie, and lie was then posted to the officers' training whool at Hhit »St. Edmunds. .There Jte was recognized by Captain Stead. ,<if the Itoynl Fusiliers. He was placed under arrest, ind was subsequently dismissed the service. He. however, turned up again later in Ireland Avith the Dublin Fusiliers, where ho was serving in the rallies.

Evidence having been given. i\w prisoner made a long statement in winch lie isiiid he went to America to study law, and returned about two years ago. He desired to enter the army, but his lather could not make him an allowance, so lie decided enter the army by the "hack door.' 'and joined the Territorial Force. He obtained a commission, and he did not realize at tli.it time that a subaltern could not live on his pay and his cash dwindled. . At this time the whole of the olFieern of his regiment attended the King's Levee at tS.t James's Palace. Ibe almost ucomprehensihle expense in connection Avith this crippled him, and he was surrounded by debts avlitHi he could no! pay. He left the depot on leave on a motor cycle, and went to "Winchester. Ho there saw the Bishop and' informed him Tie was a clergyman and stayed several days. Later on be admitted he was not and the police Avere informed and he was sentenced to one month's imprisonment. When he came out of prison ho had no money or friends, and stood perfectly alo'ue. He took all bi>ru> of jobi, sucu as carrying sandwich boards, delivering bills and. wuodchopping lor the Churcii Army, and jslept many nights in tne streets. He held several appointments alter this, and was at one time secretary ol a bridge club. At the time of the war lie held a position in winch he was respected, but joined the army by pure desire, and rose to the rank of sergeant. He was asked to lake a commission anil did so, knowing that ii lie declared ho was a gaol-bird he would be courtmartialled for making a ifllse declaration. He then became ill, and he admitted that while on sick-leave, to satisfy his self-glory, he led people to believe he was a wounded officer. He was asked to resign. ... He then decided to "have another shot" for the army rmd joined the Hifle Brigade. Though he used the names as a matter of form he had no, indention to defraud. The accused was committed for trial at the next Essex Assizes.—London Times,