Sheltering Deserter Son, 3rd July 1918

“TWO YEARS A DESERTER.

“HOW A NOTTM. SOLDIER DODGED THE ARMY.

“The plea that his son had deceived was put forward by Arthur Goodwin, of Bloomfield-street, who at the Nottingham Summons Court, to-day [3rd July 1918], was charged with assisting Pte. Harold Goodwin, a deserter from the Welsh Fusiliers, to conceal himself.

“When the police visited defendant's house he admitted knowing that his son was a deserter, and stated that had been discharged from hospital suffering from rheumatism in 1916, and was still waiting for the military authorities to send for him. Defendant further declared that his son had not had separate ration cards, but had lived on the food allowed to the family. The soldier had been absent from the army for two years and three months.

“Defendant now said he had had no application for his son from the authorities, and had never attempted to conceal him, but had kept him at home quite openly. He had no idea that he was doing wrong, and asked the magistrates to deal leniently with him.

“Deputy Chief Constable Rowley said the case was a bad one. The colonel of the regiment to which defendant's son belonged had written letters to defendant, but they had been intercepted by the son, who in the name of his father had assured the authorities that the man they were inquiring about was again with the colours. The son had not worked during the time he was at home.

“Defendant was sent prison for 14 days.”

'Nottingham Evening Post', 3rd July 1918.