THREATS OF VIOLENCE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 3 September 1941, Page 6

THREATS OF VIOLENCE

ALLEGED BY SOLDIER ON TRIAL BEFORE COURT-MARTIAL. STATEMENTS LATER WITHDRAWN (By Telegraph—Press Association.) CHRISTCHURCH, This Day. A bombshell was dropped into the proceedings of a District Court-Martial this morning when Gunner Gilbert Hall, of the 88th Battery, stated on oath, in defence of a charge of being absent without leave, that he was afraid tp return to the Battery because of threats of bodily harm. These, he alleged, had been made to him by Captain C. T. R. McLean, Battery Commander. Hall, was granted seven days’ special leave to visit his mother, in Dunedin, on August 2, but failed to return on the due date and was arrested in Christchurch on August 20 by military police. This morning he pleaded guilty to a charge of being absent without leave, but made the allegation of threats when, evidence in mitigation Was being heard. In evidence, Hall said he enlisted at the outbreak of war and entered camp with the Second Echelon, but because he was under age he was not allowed to go overseas. He then volunteered for coastal service. He explained that, after visiting his mother, who was ill in Dunedin, he returned to Christchurch on Friday, August 8. Next morning he met some friends and went with them to the races at Addington. He was due to return to the Battery at 1 p.m. that day. When he realised that he had overstayed his leave, he was afraid to return because he had been told by the commanding officer that if he were again absent without leave he would be recommended for a District Court-Martial, and also because he had. been threatened with bodily harm. Asked if he could name the officer or officers who had made the threats. Hall said he could. The president of the Court (Major J. M. Gilles) said if the accused -was going to make • serious allegations against any officer or N.C.O. steps would be taken to protect them. The defending officer (Captain E. P. Wills) said if such a state of affairs did exist at the Battery and accused was frightened to return because of it, the matter should be weighed by the Court. At this stage, the Judge-Advocate (Major G. T. Weston) said it would be unwise for accused to make such allegations unless he was prepared to prove them. They would have to be proved to the hilt, he said. Hall: “I can prove my statements and can call evidence to show that what I say is true.” He then mentioned the names of four of the staff personnel who, he said, would substantiate his statement. Hall then said that one day, in the orderly rocm. the Battery Commander, Captain McLean, gave him a serious warning that he would perform a surgical operation on the whole battery if they did not pull their weight. Hall said ho believed that Captain McLean had been most convincing. On another occasion. Captain McLean had said bo would give the men troughs to eat out of instead of plates, as the men in the mess were not looking after their dishes. Hall said he had taken these threats seriously. Accused admitted to the prosecuting officer (Capt. G. L. Robertson) that when he was in camp at Burnham he was absent without leave from March 27 to April 9, 1940, and on j April 10 was posted as a deserter. At this stage the Court adjourned in order to summon further witnesses regarding Hall’s allegations. When the Court resumed, the president announced that accused and his j defending officer had had a confer-1 ence. Captain Wills said Hall had authorised him to say he now wished to withdraw unreservedly. Major Gillies: “He admits that all the statements he has made concerning remarks made by the Battery Commander and the inferences he drew from them are all wrong?” Captain Wills: “That is correct." Questioned by Captain Wills, Hall said he was not afraid that physical violence would be offered to him if he did not return to camp. He was afraid only of being cour-t-martialled. In an address in mitigation, Captain Wills emphasised the prisoner’s youth and the fact that he had enlisted at the outbreak of war. The Court’s finding will bo promulgated in due course. ■