DESERTER'S ATONEMENT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 307, 23 December 1908, Page 4

DESERTER'S ATONEMENT

EAM.E UNDER A FALSE NAME. A Paris message says:—Victor Marcwalker, a warrant officer in the French army, has been tried by court-martial at Chalons under extraordinary circumstances. ' Marewalker is now 10 years of u-'e. He was called to the colours eighteen years ago, and was incorporated in the tilth Regiment of .Infantry. Shortly afterwards, while acting 'as clerk in charge of the regimental store, he stole a quantity of provisions. His dishonesty was discovered, and fearing arrest he deserted. Three years afterwards his case was dealt with by court-martial, and he was sentenced h'v default to the maximum penalty of twenty years' penal servitude, and dismissed' from the army with ignomy. Alter his desertion Afarewalker worked as a baker in Dunkirk and Paris ' ■lint, growing tired of civilian life, j,i LTO he enlisted in the Foreign Legion under the assumed name of "and was sent to Saida, in Algeria. W'alck proved himself an excellent soldier, and speedilv l,ecame sergeant and sergeant-major. He has fought in all the French colonial wars of the last thirteen years, including Madagascar and funking, and he is in possession of three military medals. Recently, as a reward for his splendid services/he was promoted to warrant officer, and recommended for the .Military Medal, (he most coveted military decoration that a I't'cnoh soldier can receive.

On his promotion. YVnlck was granted leave of absence, and started for Franco lieaclmii; Chalniis-sur-Marae, lie walked, into tin- barracks of the local <romla»mcne, announced his true name, and «avo himself up as a deserter. ° At liis trial Marcwalkor's advocate pointed to the prisoner's loin* ami jf <»r.n, M military «,reer, „„,, , ( ,„, e( , Mint lie hud more tlinn alone,] lor t'„, crime of years a»o. The cnuvl. Ink™ lliis view of Hie case, set aside the previous conviction, and unanimously acquitted the prisoner.