SOLDIER CHARGED

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10289, 26 May 1919, Page 5

SOLDIER CHARGED

SEQUEL TO ,ATTACK „QN--SENTKl r . By Telesraph— Press Associatlonr-Copyricht MELBOURNE, May ;24. Corporal W. Poultson has been committed for trial for the manslaughter of Private E. Jemmett, on April-20th. \ According to the official report of the occurrence, nine prisoners,, under the escort of a~ sergeant, a corporal, and ten men of-other ranks, all returned soldiers, ;- left Melbourne on tho 4 o'clock! train, ©n route for Albany. , About"""s "o'clock,"when" about half an honr's . 'journey froni Seymour, there was a disturbance in one-'of tho carriages,, and. one of the ■prisoners attacked the- gentry, and • tried to choke'him. They struggled in the corridor, and three other prisoners came out oi the > compartment, the sentry down a'nS weref jpuhching" him. Corporal Poultson puUed' iho sentry away, and tho prisoners were ultimately forced hack into the compartment. They quietened down for a* while, but later again-endeavoured to break the guard. One of the-escort seized his rifle, and held it?'at v the" ready, and told the prisoners to stand" back or he would, fire. No. 2927 Private Jemmett, 59th Battalipn-tr-one of the prisoners—rushed ithe* sentry, and endeavoured to get the rifle; Corporal Poultson then - fired, and Jemmett dropped down on the seat. The train was stopped, but* Jemmett was dead.'