HERO or FIFTEEN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1851, 11 July 1918, Page 3

HERO or FIFTEEN.

FIGHTING FOR Hi DAYS

TOOK DESERTER-BROTHER’S PLACE.

An Olford (England) boy, Henry Arthur Stevens, who, although only 15, fought for 10 days against the Germans in (he Somme offensive, is the hero of one of the finest stories of youthful patriotism and pluck which the war has yet revealed.

It has the additional charm of supplying a touching instance of a iad’s devotion to an cider brother, who, temporarily, at any rale, forgot his duty and deserted from the Armv.

Young Stevens was charged at FoHcstone with wearing military uniform without authority. The hoy, who is sturdily built, was wearing khaki, hot was not placed in the dock, and the Chief Constable (Mr Reeve) said that the military authorities felt that, in the circumstances, they mmld not proceed against the hoy, therefore there was no evidence to offer. The Chief Constable then told the Court about the desertion of the elder Stevens when he was on home leave last November. He could not be found, and this young lad was greatly distressed at his brother’s desertion. In February lie drdssed himself in khaki and surrendered to the police at Ilford, impersonating his brother. He was accordingly handed over to the military authorities, and sent to France to the unit to which his brother belonged.

He was sent to the unit which was in the front line, and for l(i days was engaged in the recent offensive by the Germans. During that time, he said, he killed a good many Germans; in fact, he could not miss them. He was sent back when it was found he was not the right man. The Magistrates, in discharging the boy, expressed their warm appreciation of his pluck. In a statement made later, young Stevens said he bought the uniform he was' wearing when he gave himself up. His parents did not know that had become of him until he wrote them from France. He served with the Norlhants. He added that he had a rough lime, but he was sorry he had been seal home. He had never done any drill or tired a ride previously. The first lime he used a ride was when he tired at a German aeroplane which was low down, and Hie recoil from (he shot knocked him over.

lie wondered what hat! happened, bul quiekly learned to use the ride, and shot down many Germans who came on in a mass. He added that he was disappointed Hiai he could not stav in France.