A wounded soldier, named William Rees, of Ammanford, was charged at the Llanelly Police Court on Saturday with drunkenness.
Defendant, who pleaded guilty said, “I have come form the firing line, having been wounded at Ypres. Being still very weak, I suppose the drink upset me. I may say, gentlemen, that this is the second war I have taken part in.”
Replying to the presiding Magistrate (Mr. Thomas Jones), defendant said he served in the South African war.
The Presiding Magistrate: Don't you think it would be better if you kept sober when you are invalided home?
Defendant said he was unable to ‘stick' so much drink since he had been in hospital for two months.
Mr. W. B. Jones: But as you are weaker you ought not to drink and make a fool of yourself.
Defendant: I hope I will not do so any more.
The Presiding Magistrate: We ought to penalize you, but we feel that you have done your duty by serving your King and Country. We sympathise with you, and we are proud of such men, but at the same time it must be remembered that even a soldier who gets drunk ought to be penalised. We feel inclined to fine you, but as you have given us your history we dismiss the case.
