Friday, 30 October 2015

Poem ~ Stealing From The Dead - Satuday, 30 October 1915


Source: File: British Military Kit.jpeg [online] see original image at: <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/world-war-one/11006139/Inventories-of-war-soldiers-kit-from-1066-to-2014.html> [30 October 2015].


Crime in war time never once ceased,
As new opportunities to steal goods
Of military kind - as that had occurred
With luggage and kit looting in transit
To England - belonging to officers killed.

Belongings to those who died on duty,
Left France for relatives at home - a sad
Regular journey that was intercepted
By those in trust, that were employed 
By the Great Western Railway service.

In hearing at Marylebone Police court
Stood Richard Quartley a Railway carman,
Aged 32 of Shirland Road, Paddington -
A vanguard, Albert William Allen from
Southam Street Westbourne Park age 17.

They were in league with a licensed
Victualler, Albert Fountain from Bury
St Edmunds’ Market Tavern aged 36.
On arrest admittance came from Allen
That with Quartley they opened kit bags.

The luggage numbered about 20 - they
Took property that had a total value
Of £200 - all items except one, belonged
To officers killed in action - the police
Seized the property held by the three.

Charges were made of theft of field
Glasses, a revolver and items, these
Included; blankets, shoes boots, badges,
Underclothing waterproof coats, rugs,
Leggings, watches, cigarette cases.

Additionally were found binoculars
Cameras, mufflers electric torches,
Razors, prismatic compasses scarves
Clinometers, jewellery, and medals
All taken in disregard and disrespect.

While some articles contained officers
Names, others had names erased - amid
Those affected Mrs Mary Drury from
Knightsbridge - identified  articles found
At the homes of Fountain and Allen.

2nd Lieutenant D'Albany Drew Drury
Was a prisoner of war in Germany his
Mother recognised some stolen items,
In receiving some of his kit from war
Office; a 15-guinea camera was missing.

John Tippet, medical student, confirmed
A rain-proof field coat, with his brothers
Name; Lt. Tippet, 5th Kings Shropshire Light
Infantry, killed 19 August at Armentieres;
A room of such property awaited identity.

by Jamie Mann.

Anon.,1915. Dead Officers Kits - Systematic Loot in Transit. The Daily Telegraph, [online] 29 October. P.14. Col.2. Available at:  http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/ww1-archive/11955418/Daily-Telegraph-October-29-1915.html  [Accessed: 30 October 2015].

Mann, J., 2015. 100 years Ago - Poems by Jamie Mann. [letter] (Personal communication, 30 October 2015). 



#WW1 #WW1centenary #GreatWar #WW1poem #GreatWar #WW1centenary #worldwarone #worldwaroneremembered #WW1London

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