MAN WHO BROKE PAROLE.

Taihape Daily Times, 1 July 1918, Page 6

MAN WHO BROKE PAROLE.

EXSOLDIER’S TALE OP CAPTURE ON THE HIGH SEAS. That he had been captured by Germans on the high seas, landed with others in Bolivia, and released on parole, which he broke and came to England, was the story told by George Henty Ratcliffe, aged 40, who was remanded at the Guildhall, London, on a charge of obtaining money by false pretences from Philip Gardner, the accountant of the Commercial Bans: of Australia, Bishopsgate. 1 Mr. Gardner said the accused called at the bank on March 21. He said that he was a discharged soldier of the Australian Imperial Forces, and was undergoing medical treatment as a result of being gassed in France. He also said that he was short of money, but that he had an account with their branch in Sydney to the extent of about £3OO, and he asked the witness If he would telegraph for the balance to he remitted to London. Noticing his wound stripes and ribbons the witness believed what he had said, and agreed to his request. The accused called again on March 25. There had been no reply to the message, and at the prisoner’s request the manager advanced him £4. Later, the bank had a reply from Sydney, and when the prisoner called again he was told that there w”as ho such account at that branch. He then said; “Oh, I forgot to tell you I was taken prisoner by the Germanswhile on board the s.s. on the high seas by the German cruiser Leipsic. I was released on parole with others and s landed at Bolivia. I broke my parole, and to avoid identification in the event of my being taken prisoner, I changed my name to Frederick George Ratcliffe. If you telegraph again it will be all right.” He then asked for a further advance to enable him to get to Birmingham. The witness made inquiries and refused to make any further advances. An Australian officer Tvno was present in court stated that the accused was not an Australian but a Birmingham man. He was remanded.