WAR VETERAN’S STORY OF DISTRESS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3646, 2 June 1927, Page 2

WAR VETERAN’S STORY OF DISTRESS.

COMMITTED FOR THEFT.

Waimate, Yesterday

A sad story of distress was told by James Bell, a veteran of Mons, who pleaded guilty before Justices this morning with breaking and entering a cordial factory and stealing four dozen empty bottles valued at 4/-. Accused stated lie was a bottle gatherer. He had a wife and two children to keep who were staying at an Onmaru hotel. He had found business dull in Oamaru and had gone to Waimale. But owing to the firms to which lie sent bottles delaying payment, which sometimes necessitated travelling for it, he had been able to keep only bis wife and children, living himself on bread and dripping.

He did not drink. His wife had written for board money and lie therefore decided to help himself to empty bottles.

He had been eleven years in the Royal Scots Fusiliers, was wounded four times, was promoted to Cor poral by Sir Douglas Haig for bravery, was mentioned Jive times in despatches, held the Mons Medal with laurels, the British Military Alcdal with two bars, and the French Medal Alilitaire. and was recommended by seven different officers for the V.C. at St. Quentin. Accused was committed to the Supreme Court for sentence.