RUNAWAY SOLDIERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1919, Page 8

RUNAWAY SOLDIERS.

BARING MANNER OF ESCAPE. By Telegraph.—Press Ann—Copyright. London, Oct. 15. The Australians were being taken to ■ Winchester Prison from France under a guard of three men. Near Basingstoke the Australians suddenly attacked the guards, and, in addition to handcuffing them, they wound their puttees around * their heads. As the train slowed down approaching Micheldever they jumped of! and disappeared in the darkness. The miseries of the escort were not relieved until they reached Winchester. When they were discovered the men were hardly able to speak. The military police in motor cars instituted a search, but the prisoners have-not yet been recap-tured.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. London, October 16. According to the latest details regarding the escape- of six soldier prisoners from a moving train between Basinstoke and Winchester, it appears that only one prisoner. Gunner J. Arthurs, was actually a member of the A.1.F.; the others were attached to various British units, though they may hare been born in Australia, as the Winches- , ter camp was used for Dominion soldiers who joined up with the British , army and had chosen to be repatriated. The names of the men are: —Drummer Deppard, Privates J. Black and F. Marriott, and Sappers W. Montgomery and One was recaptured during the night' and the police are on the track of three others. The affray commenced by the prisoners quietly unfastening their handcuffs with a key, seizing a bayonet from a guard and threatening to stab any of the escort who gave the alarm. Other prisoners joined in and seized the 'guards' rifles. Bloodhounds may be used to scour the woods if the prisoners ■are not traced quicklv.—Aus.-NiZ. Cable 'Asm,