YOUTH'S CAREER.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 601, 21 January 1921, Page 2

YOUTH'S CAREER.

i DEATH SENTENCE AND HONOURS [ An astonishing record of a youth 'of 22 was (revealed at Greenwich j I’oiice Court recently, when William ! Bcnvis was sent to prison for nine i months for stealing tools and cash. In February, 1913, he was sent to : a reformatory, but at the age of 16 | be joined the mercantile marine, and after several voyages became ship’s I carpenter, getting a “very good” discharge in September, 1917. Beavis joined the army, served in France, and won the Military Medal for the single-handed capture of a German dug-out, where he released a staff officer. After a term in hospital he was given leave in Haris, but overstayed • t 52 hours, and was ordered to* be shot. He volunteered for the firing line, and as a big offensive was in progress, he was allowed to go. i Ho was again wounded, and then his sentence was reduced to 20 years’ imprisonment. Once more Beavis volunteered for the firing line, and was recommended for a ba*- to Ids medal. His sentence was further reduced to three years’ imprisonment, and he actually served 182 months of that time.