HC Deb 30 March 1933 vol 276 cc1183-4
83. Mr. LYONS

asked the Financial Secretary to the War Office if he will state the circumstances of the fraudulent enlistment of which Henry Greasley, of Leicester, a private soldier of the 1st Green Howards, aged 19 years, has been convicted by court-martial at Aldershot?

The FINANCIAL SECRETARY to the WAR OFFICE (Mr. Duff Cooper)

This soldier absented himself without leave from the 1st battalion, The Green Howards, on the 25th February last, and on 27th February fraudulently enlisted in London into the Regular Forces for service in the Gloucestershire Regiment.

Mr. LYONS

May I ask whether it is a fact that this man left his regiment, as was shown at the trial, for the express purpose of getting home to Leicester, where considerable domestic anxiety awaited him, and is it right to say that he fraudulently enlisted when destitute in London? May I ask whether these facts in relation to a soldier, aged only 19, will be brought to the notice of the confirming authority?

Mr. COOPER

I think those facts were within the knowledge of the court that dealt with the offence, and they are as stated by the hon. Member.

Mr. LYONS

While thanking my hon. Friend for his reply may I ask him, on behalf of this young boy, whether these mitigating facts, which my hon. Friend concedes are right, will be brought to the notice of the confirming authority before the sentence is promulgated?

Mr. COOPER

Yes, Sir.