THE CRAMPTON COURT-MARTIAL.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1939, 13 February 1919, Page 3

THE CRAMPTON COURT-MAR-TIAL.

Wanganui, Feb. 12

The court-martial upon Lieutenant Crampton, on charges of illtreatment of prisoners at the Wanganui Detention Barracks, resumed to-day. Lieutenant-Colonel Colqulioun presided, Captain Hudson acting as prosecutor, and Captain Baldwin as judge-advocate. Lieutenant Crampton was represented by Mr C. A. Loughnan (Palmerston North) and Air Armstrong (Wanganui). A considerable number of interested spectators were present. The judge-advocate pointed out the possibility of an objection to the constitution of the Court, in that it was not properly consituted according to the King’s Regulations, but said that the accused’s counsel had agreed to waive any formalities that might be involved, as Lieutenant Crampton was anxious that the trial should be proceeded with. The first charge was one of illtreatment of Private Harry Wilson, in grabbing him by the neck while two n.c.o’s. placed a military pack on him.

The accused pleaded not guilty

Addressing the Court, the prosecutor emphasised that a soldier undergoing detention was not a prisoner and should not lie called one. Mr Loughnan said Lieutenant: Crampton’s principal witness was still ill in hospital, this being ono of the grounds for the adjournment. It was impossible to conduct the defence without Sergt. Smith, and he suggested that, under the circumstances, the Court might consent to a further adjournment. The Court decided to proceed as far as possible. The prosecutor, outlining the case, said Lieutenant Crampton introduced a system of punishment at the barracks contrary to the regulations. His powers were to order punishment by close confinement for a period of not more than three days; diet 'punishment for not more than three days; deprivation of mat tress for the same period, and forfeiture of remission of sentence for a period not exceeding 14 days. He asked that Ihe charge he altered from “grabbing by (he neck" to “grabbing

by the hair of (lie bead.” The president said the Court had no power to amend the charge, hut if it was proved in evidence Iney could give a special finding.

Private Harry Wilson gave evidence that he was in the Detention Barracks from about April 2Slh, 1918. On his arrival Ihe roll was called, and Lieutenant Crampton addressed the men, to the effect that, if they would carry on they would have good treatment, but if they did not they would have a damned bad time. Witness said he was pul in a refractory cell, after being searched. Crampton, with Scregant Smith and Corporal Parnienter, came into his cell, following witness’ repeated refusal to address an oiiiccr as “Sir.” Lieutenant Crampton ordered Jiiin throe days’ bread and water, remarking: “We tame lions here.-’ After three days in refractory, witness was ordered two hours’ pack drill. He had no uniform, so one was found for him, hut ho refused to pul it on. He was then stripped am! the uniform was put on. He had no (dumee of resisting, as Smith held his arms, and he was forcibly undressed and forcibly dressed in uniform.

' Private Wilson, continuing his evidence, said that, when lie got to barracks a rille was put on his shoulder and ho was ordered to march. He was sauntering along in his own way when he was warned by Crampton (hal if he did not do the regulation step ho would have to double. Witness had not increased his pace nor had he doubled. Crumpton ordered Lance-Corporal Walker to help witness along, which he did by pushes and punches, which did not hurl, as they were mostly on the pack. At the end of an hour witness was ordered back to his coll. Crampton spoke to him, witness not replying. Crampton tried to get an answer, and failing, ordered witness an extra hour's pack drill. M hen ordered to put on the pack he refused. Crampton grabbed him by the hair with both hands and pushed it forward, while two men put on the pack. To Mr Loughnan: Witness was not .sentenced to detention for insolent subordination, but for disobeying a lawful command. He as a conscientious objector was unable to carrv out orders of a military nature. He did not recognise Crampton as bis superior ollieer. Witness did not consider himself a soldier, but a civilian. Crampton in his dealings with witness had not displayed personal animus against him. He reasoned amicably with him in his cell, and advised him to observe the regulations. He uttered to remit portion of the sentence of three davs' solitary confinement if he conformed. When a witness conformed he had no complaint regarding Crumpton's treatment. Mo unnecessary force was used against witness when Crampton was pro-; sent. Witness wrote the Truth newspaper a letter complaining of the treatment at tlie barracks, signed “Eight Men.’’ He did not know if some denied signing. Witness wrote under the verbal instructions of the eight men, and three signed. W itness had the consent of the others. Their names were Moynahan, Casey, Bell, Beaton, Fitzpatrick, Halkes, Boyles, and witness.

Mr Lougbnan produced a document which purported to be signed by Fitzpatrick, Boyle, and Moyuihan, denying that they had signed the letter to Truth. He also produced a document signed by Casey and Bell, admitting they had placed their names on a blank piece of paper,

and denying having sighed the letter to Truth.

Witness said his objections to military service were not on religious grounds. Witness was positive his hair was pulled when his pack was put on. He was absolutely certain Crampton pulled it.

FURTHER EVIDENCE

Wanganui, Last Night

Donald' Kerr Porter, quarlermaster at the barracks, deposed that he saw Crampton take Wilson by the hair and shake him like a dog, at the same time Crampton and Scrgt. Smith bawled bad language at the man. Crampton, in his evidence, said he was told by the authorities that no conscientious objectors would be sent to (he barracks, only shirkers, men who had been dealt with by the Military Board on either religious or other grounds. He claimed it was his duty to see only that the men carried out his instructions and to use force if necessary. He denied having pulled Wilson’s hair or used any forceful measures. "Wilson was sulky and obstinate, and Crampton had spent three-quarters of an hour endeavouring to make him see that it was best to conform to the rules. After that Wilson was more tractable.