UNWORTHY TO WEAR HER MAJESTY’S UNIFORM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1773, 7 August 1888, Page 4

UNWORTHY TO WEAR HER MAJESTY’S UNIFORM.

The night alarm in South Adelaide proved a serious affair to some of the South Australian volunteers, as witness the following extract from the Kapnnda Herald: "Major Williams, of the Staff Office, was in Kapunda on Saturday as the bearer ot the following order from the Commandant : —“ J, U. Ellis,' S. J, Thomas, and William Hawke, of the Kapnnda Company of the S.A. Militi*, htving, when the alarm signal on the fourth Ju'y was given, remained as spectators in the crowd, instead of joining their comrades on parade, are dismissed with ignominy from the South Ausralian Militia, being unworthy to wear Her Mgesly’s uniform.’’ The company mustered for parade as usual on Bat urd«y afternoon, when there was a ronp of about thirty all told. Private* S. J. Thomas and W. Hawke were present, but Private E lia was Ihe company was marched into the street and halted. Curiously a large crowd of spectators gathered. Maj. r Williams in their presence read .tl e Commandanvs orders and (he disgraced militiamen were placed under arrest. I’hey were marched to the front under guard, and the color-sergeant, under orders, relieved them of their buttons and shoulder-straps and destroyed the facings of the uniforms. Major Wiliams then said the punishment of these men meant that they were drummed out of the ci mpany. The General wished in the strangest possible manner to show his dir approbation of the coniuct of which they were guilty, conduct which was unsold! rly and unpatno ic. Their offence was added to by the j eering in which they indulged in »l th-ir comr'des who had responded to the alarm. Thom s and Hawke were then marched through the ranks wearing th ir disfigured tunics and expelled. They were aubs'quently relieved by the colorsergeant as also was Ellis, of their other mili'ary belonging*. There was no demonstration of disapproval by the spectators ; in lact. the two worthies were sham"faced enough to appear rather proud of their position.