At Ammanford police court on Monday afternoon – before Messrs. W. Llewellyn (in the chair) and B. R. Evans – Herman Harold, a German subject of smart soldierly bearing, who had resided at Aberlash, was brought up charged with neglecting to register himself.
Deputy Chief Constable Evans said it was on of the worst cases that had been brought before them, as the defendant all along had tried to deceive the authorities as to his nationality.
When the Order in Council was issued requiring all alien enemies to register themselves, the police interviewed him, amongst others, and he then told the Inspector that he was a naturalized subject. Certain information came to the knowledge of the police that morning, and defendant was apprehended, and he now turned round coolly and said he thought his army discharge papers were sufficient for him.
He had been in this country for twenty-five years, and in 1894 he enlisted in the Grenadier Guards and served with them for many years. Being an educated man, it seemed that he knew perfectly well what he was expected to do, and that he was trying to delay registering himself till the last moment.
The Deputy Chief Constable added that in time of peace a man of any nationality could enlist in the British army.
Defendant said he must admit the offence, but he thought his discharge papers sufficed. “I served my country as a soldier,” he said, and fought for my country as a soldier in both the Sudan and South African wars.”
Inspector Davies gave formal evidence. After examining defendant's discharge papers, Mr. B. R. Evans, one of the magistrates, observed: You have a good record here, and it is a pity that you did not now take the necessary steps to conform to the law.
The Bench sentenced him to three months imprisonment.
