WAR NOTES

Taihape Daily Times, Issue 220, 7 March 1917, Page 2

WAR NOTES

FROM CONVICT TO OFFICER I MAN WHO "SLID BACK" TO PRISON. LONDON. December 24. The extraordinary story of a man who, after h e had ser,ved two sentences of penal servitude, joined the Navy, then enlisted in the Army, and gained a commission as a second lieutenant for good work at Salonika, was told at London Sessions recently, when Henry Hamilton was sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment for obtaining a diamond ring and other, articles by worthless cheques. He had given a cheque on Cox's Bank for £BO for the ring, when he had only about £8 to his credit. It was suggested by the prosecution that Hamilton had become connected with one of those women "who prey on everybody in khaki," and had been led into crime in order, to make her presents of jewellery. "I ask for what I have never had before. That is mercy," said Hamilton. "I was first sent to penal servitude for, a sum of fivepence." He added that, despite his record, he took a commission because he was told it was his duty to do so, but he found himself "sliding back" because while his pay in Egypt was 7s 6d a day, his mess expenses were 13s Sd a day. When he wanted to resign he was told that his services were too useful The judge said he proposed to send all the papers in the case and a personal note tot-he authorities, in order that they might see what was the best thing to be clone for Hamilton.