"DOWN AND OUT."

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 589, 3 December 1920, Page 2

"DOWN AND OUT."

SX-OFFICERS STRUGGLE TO

LIVE.

"Too proud to let anyone know was down and out," was the plea an excuse of Henry Trenaman, 26, I dc mobilised lieutenant, late of the Roj al Irish Regiment, who, at Westmin ster, was charged with unlawfull rontinuing to wear officer's unifora and with making false statements t Major Burden, Assistant Provost-Mai sftal, London District, with intent t deceive and mislead.

Major Burden found defendant ii captain's uniform acting as a sort o: night attendant at a Y.M.C.A. hul and told him it did not appear to b a seemly occupation for an officei Trenaman then excused himself fo not wearing civilian clothes on, th ground of quite recent demobilise cion, and asserted that he had hel< the rank of captain. As defcirdan had been for five or six weeks a vol untary evening worker at the hm nothinjf was done at the time, bu some days afterwards Major Burde sent for him, and directed -that H should be charged as an unauthorise person, the War Office records shorn ing that he had only held temporal rank as a lieutenant, and that he Wi demobilised a year ago. Defendant pleaded guilty to tr. charges, but not with any crimim intent. All he had done was to ti .and get an honest living. He di not possess a suit of civilian clothi when Major Burden came toj|the hu but had managed to get one sine having obtained employment as Government clerk a we« or two ago. When he was demobi ised last year he returned to Irelan —his native land—but because he ha served in the British Army he ytt unable to obtain employment in 'an Irish firm. Eventually he got bac to London, but having no friends an no decent clothes, he continued 1 wear his uniform. All he desired wi to get on his feet again arid hold i hi:; head as a loyal citizen. He serv< continuously in the field from Augus 1914, being the first man in h

squadron to volunteer for active se vice.. Mr. Gill felt that the offences coul rot altogether be. missed over.i^Mi fined defendant ijn »n eadv of jft two charges. *h»i . * .*'l