EYEWITNESS
Gunner Neville Westerman, 33 Airborne Light Regiment, Royal Artillery recalls how he unexpectedly became an accomplice to a ‘fake’ suicide
While my regiment was awaiting posting abroad by troopship, we were billeted in the old Woolwich Arsenal Barracks [in London]. Since we had no formal duties prior to shipping out, we were used as escorts to military prisoners, handcuffed by the wrist. I was handcuffed to Reg, who was facing a court martial for desertion, and I became involved in his situation as it developed over several days. Reg had been an artillery sergeant whose marriage had broken and, because of that, his marriage allowance still went to his separated wife, while Reg had a new lady love who was now pregnant.
For some reason, Reg had disagreed with the RSM in the Sergeants’ Mess and, expressed his difference by punching him! For this offence, Reg was broken down to a gunner on a lower wage and now the pregnant lady had no income, so Reg deserted the army to support her when the baby was born.
However, his new lady urged Reg to give himself up as a deserter. As a result, the court sentenced Reg to 84 days in Colchester Military Prison [in Essex], where conditions were reported to be very harsh on the inmates.
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