THEY TOLD IT WELL.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVIII, Issue 67, 18 November 1915, Page 7

THEY TOLD IT WELL.

"WOUNDED” IMPOSTERS. SYDNEY PEOPLE ROBBED. At the Manly Police Court on Tuesday, the 2nd inst., two youths—Edward Ireland and James Anderson—dressed in the complete uniform of the Australian Expeditionary Forces, were charged with falsely representing to Mr I>. Hogan, town clerk of Manly, and secretary of the Manly Patriotic Fund, that they were returned wounded soldiers, and by that means securing £2 from Mr I). Hogan, the property of the. Manly Patriotic Fund. They were further charged with falsely representing to Mrs Greer, of Manly, that they were returned wounded soldiers from Gallipoli, whereby they received hospitality and the sum of 25s from Mrs Greer. 'A third charge was read, alleging that they stole £1 and a small article of jewellery from Mrs Lindsay, of Manly. Anderson peaded guilty to the lirst two charges and to stealing the brooch, but pleaded not guilty to stealing £1 from Mrs Lindsay’s residence. Ireland also pleaded guilty to the first tuo charges, but denied the third charge. The charges were heard separately, 1). Hogan, town clerk, Manly, said that on October 2U the two accused visited the town hall in company with Aid. J. 1), Patison, and Aid. Patison said the two youths represented to him that they were returned wounded soldiers. Anderson was limping, and walked witu the aid of sticks. Anderson gave his alleged adventures in an engagement, and so impressed him that he handed them £1 each from the funds of the Manly Patriotic Fund. He also gave them a letter to Dr. Arthur, M.L.A., asking him to aid the boys in their trouble, and they said the military authorities owed them money. Mrs Greer, of Woods Street, Manly, said she met the two accused on the Manly wharf. They sat opposite to her on the Manly boat, and in* the course of conversation they led her to believe that they were returned wounded heroes. Anderson said he was suffering from a sharpnel wound in the wrist and a bayonet wound in the knee. He limped badly, and was using two sticks. Ireland also narrated his experiences, and said that he was wounded and had his nerves shattered. She invited them to her residence, and entertained them for a few days, giving them money at various times amounting to 25s or 30s. They informed her they came over from Melbourne by steamer, and were without home, friends, and money. In consequence of something told her she became suspicious of the bona fides of the two youths. Mrs Lindsay, a worker in the lied Cross movement at Manly, said she was so moved to pity by what the two boys ha id said at the town hull that she invited them to visit her home and partake of her hospitality. They did so, and made themselves at home. After their departure she missed a sovereign. The brooch was not missed till later.

Marjorie Greer, aged 11, said Anderson gave her the brooch while at her home at Woods Street, Manly. Lieutenant Arthur Upjohn, Assistant Provost-Marshal at Victoria Barracks, said Asderson was never a member of the Expeditionary Forces. As far as could be ascertained in the brief time at the disposal of the authorities, and on the admissions of Ireland, “Corporal Ireland,” as he styled himself, was a member of the Expeditionary Force, He said he joined at Melbourne, and was absent without leave. Ireland did not give evidence in defence. Anderson said he was nearly 18 years of age. His home was in Bristol, England. He had been engaged as an able seaman on an American vessel. The uniform of the military forces worn by him he purchased at a second-hand tailor shop in Geelong, Victoria, for 30s. The Magistrate: 1 think the military and police should see to this matter of the sale of uniforms. Anderson admitted his guilt on all charges except the stealing of the £1 from Mrs Lindsay. The magistrate said that there was not a single circumstance in mitigation of the offence. Ireland was discharged on the third charge, but convicted on tbe other two. Anderson was convicted on all three charges. A sentence amounting’to six months’ imprisonment was imposed on each accused.