A PILL-BOX HERO.

Taranaki Daily News, 14 May 1918, Page 8

A PILL-BOX HERO.

DESERTER'S PATHETIC STORY Richard A. Langley, a deserter, at Old Street Police Court recently pleaded guilty to stealing a quantity of soap, •value £2S4, the property of his employer, Mr John Davis, Spitalflelds. A police officer said that the prisoner was promoted on the battlefield from a private to a sergeant for bravery. Langley produced his Military Medal, and explained that he deserted in March, when, on his return home on leave, he discovered that his wife had ben living with another man. "I lost all heart and control of myself then," he explained with a break in his voice. He added that lie was a quarter-master sergeant when he deserted. He was promoted for taking command of a party of 52 men sent to capture a German pill-box after his captain and sergeant had been killed. Only a few of the party returned, and he claimed to have been the first British soldier to blow up an enemy pill-box. He appealed for an opportunity to go back to the army. The Magistrate *aid he would not setui such a brave soldier to prison, and directed that lie should be handed over to the-.military authorities. Prisortef; I thank you, sir, and I promise you faithfully that I will do my best for the Old Country when I get over there.