FIGHTING TERRITORIAL AT AMMANFORD

“OUGHT TO BE FIGHTING THE GERMANS INSTEAD.”

A Case of Mistaken Kindness.

At Ammanford police court on Saturday, William Jones, of Llandebie-road, a private in the 4 th Welsh Regiment, was brought up before – Messrs. Hy. Herbert (in the chair) and B. R. Evans – on a charge of drunkenness and disorderly conduct.

Defendant said he was guilty, and Inspector Davies told the Bench that about quarter to eleven the previous night he was called out of the house and saw the defendant outside, opposite Mr. Major's chip shop, with his coat off, his sleeves turned up, and wanting to fight.

He was accompanied by another man from Llandebie, and after some persuasion they wet away, but after proceeding about fifty yards defendant commenced cursing and shouting again. He would not go away, and consequently was taken into custody.

Chairman : it seems to me that he ought to be fighting the Germans instead.

The Inspector explained that the members of the Ammanford Company, 4 th Welsh, had all been given permission to come home on twenty-four hours' leave prior to proceeding to another destination.

In reply to the Clerk (Mr. W. L. Smith) defendant said he had to report himself to headquarters at Swansea at quarter-past five that evening. It appeared that his furlough expired on Friday, and he was on the way back when he met the other members of his company coming home and joined them.

Mr. B. R. Evans : this is the result of the evil of friends “treating” soldiers on their home coming – a case of mistaken kindness altogether. Anyhow, I hope you will be in good fighting spirit when you meet the Germans.

The Chairman, addressing the defendant, said they were sorry to see him before them, as he was wearing the King's uniform.

Take a lesson (he proceeded); don't do it again. Keep yourself respectable. Don't take any more drinks : it does not do you any good. It is your first offence, and in the circumstances you will be let off.”