Cramton Court-martial

Taihape Daily Times, 14 February 1919, Page 5

Cramton Court-martial

WANGANUI. February 13

At the court-martial proceedings* yesterday afternoon, in giving evidence, Wilson said: On two occasions he was awarded punishment. On the first occasion a Tbrmal charge was not made. The punishme'nt ‘was solitary confinement and pack drill, the latter taking place in the “slaughter yard." Captain Hudson; Who christened it that? . Witness; Lieutenant Crampton. Mr. Loughnan: That is only hearsay, Ho does not know that.

-The judge advocate contended evidence might as well be called to prove that the yard was called “paradise.” The president ruled "that the reference to the word was irrelevant.

Proceeding, witness said when he was taken into the yard a rifle was put on his shoulder and he was ordered to march. After a couple of turns he was taken to a spot in front of the barracks. As witness did ndf increase his pace he was ordered to double. Accused ordered Lance-Corporal Walker to help witness along which he did by pushing and running up behind him. Every time he stopped pushing witness stopped running. Variety was added to the pushing by an occasional punch. After an hour the phek was taken off, but he subsequently had another hour of pack drill, and was pushed and punched as on the first occasion. Captain Hudson; |Was it a friendly shove?—No, it was not particularly friendly. Did the punches hurt you?—No, they were delivered on the pack, but 1 could feel them. To Mr. Loughnan: He would not double without pressure.

What is the difference between a punch that does not hurt and a push. —Well, a push is steady and a punch is a jolt.

Donald Kerr Porter, formerly quartermaster at the barracks, said Wilson was driven round the yard wiflT a pack on, and with Smith hnd another man on either side holding an arm and the accused chasing round giving orders. Crampton’s orders'were: “Keep him going.” There was A'Tittle blood flying round.

Captain Kud§on: Where was the blood coming from? —Wilson’s face.

Why?—Because of the ill-treatment he got. What sort of ill-treatment?—Being pulled round and bumped up against the wall.

Was it the hump against the wall that caused the blood to fly?—The rifle may have caused it. Was he pulled against the wall? — He was just knocked about in a way no sensible person would treat a dog. To Mr, Loughnan: There was no blood on Wilson when witness first noticed the performance. It might nave been over a dozen times Wilson was pushed into the wall. If Wilson said only one man pushed him it must have been another occasion.

Mr. Loughnan: Is it not possible that your story is what happened to some other man? —The same thing happened to all of them. Will you say Wilson was knocked against the wall when he hays he was not?—l wilt put my oath against his and maintain that he was. Then Wilson is a liar? —I can’t understand it.

If your statement is true then his must be falst^?—Yes, he must be telling an untruth. To the Court: Wilson came into the office for the pack on several occasions.

The President; Did you ever remonstrate with the accused?--! told him he was breaking the regulations. Did you leave your office to see the punishment meted out to defaulters? —Yes, I used to go out to see what others called fun. I could not well remonstrate with acßusda as he might have dealt with me in a similar manner. Why did you to the Magistrate a somewhat long account of an Interview you had with accused regarding tho treatment of detention prisoners? —I don’t know.

Accused gave evidence and denied unnecessary force was used. Wilson was not bumped up against the wall nor was his face*~cut. The uninitiaie ' might take military commands as yells. Captain Hudson: Wa? there any blood on the ’tvall?—No, but there is red paint there. Witness added he did not see any abrasions or marks on Wilson after he finished the pack drill.

TO-DAY’S SITTINGS

WANGANUI, this day,

The Cramptoa court-martial was resumed this morning, when the judge advocate addressed the Court on -the

use of force to ensure discipline, stating it was clear that the law permitted force to be used for the maintenance of discipline.

The hearing’ of the third charge was then proceeded with, namely of striking Wm. Bertram Donovan on the chin

and hitting him with a walking stick while doing pack drill. Donovan gave evidence that when he came to the barracks Champion asked if he was willing to carry a rifle and wear the uniform, and answered no, because h© objected to service. Crampton then ordered Sergeant Smith to take witness to the “slaughter yard.” The pack was put on but the witness refused to march, and a rope was put round his neck and he was pulled round the yard. He was pulled over on several occasions. Smith and Corporal Parmenter were pushing him from behind- When he was lying on the ground a bucket of water was dashed on his face. On three occasions, after three-quarters of an hour, he said he was willing to march. While marching he was kicked and pushed and caught by the hair and nose and pulled along. Crampton was hitting him under the chic with a cane and told him to hold his head up. He was also hitting him on the right hand with a cane telling him to swing his arm. He was cut on the chin, and his knuckles were swollen with the bljows. He was bashed itno the wall by Guard Byrne several times that night. He was brought before the doctor, but did not show him anything. Cross-examined, witness admitted he made up his mind not to obey military commands and no man would make him do it. He used the whole of his strength in holding back when being pushed, but denied he was more than a passive register or that he attempted to strike the guards, and would put his word against .a hundred. Crampton kept tapping him off and on the whole time. He denied that he put up a struggle when arrested by the civil police at Taumarunui. He admitfea that after he gave in he had no cause for complaint. He was at present serving a sentence of one year and 11 months for refusing to take his kit at Peatherston. This was after he left the barracks. He was a conscientious objector and a Roman Catholic. He did not know whether his church objected to fighting.