'Deal Walmer and Sandwich Mercury' 12 September 1914
SPECIAL CONSTABLE MAKES AN ARREST
Commended by the Bench
At Deal Police Court a case was heard in which the offender had been arrested by one of the newly appointed special constables. The Mayor (Cr. C. Hussey) and Mr. G. H. Denne were on the Bench and they commended the special constable and also a young fellow who assisted him. The accused was told that if before Thursday he enlisted he would hear no more of the case.
Thomas Edward Hoile, a young, decently dressed farm labourer, of Ham, pleaded guilty to a charge of being drunk and disorderly in London-road on the 6th inst.
Albert Albany B. Parker, one of the special constables for Deal recently enrolled, stated that about 8.30 on Sunday evening he was at the Railway Station seeing some friends off, when there was a disturbance between the prisoner and some sailors. Witness persuaded him to go away and he got as far as the entrance to the station in London-road, when, because witness would not allow him to go back he created further disturbance, abused witness and wanted to fight him. He was the worse for drink and created disorder not only in the station but in London-road.
By Sergt. Vince: Prisoner was using bad language?
In reply to Mr. Denne, witness said he called on a young man (named Frederick Curling) to assist him, and prisoner then came quietly.
Prisoner had nothing to say.
The Mayor: You seem rather fond of fighting. Don't you think you would like to join the Army where you can have as much of it as you wanted?
Prisoner: I was going today.
The Mayor: Well look I make this suggestion. If you will undertake to do that before we consider the matter it will have a great influence on our decision as to what to be done.
Prisoner in reply to the Clerk, said he was 21½ years old.
The Mayor asked if he would join the Buffs, or whether he wanted to go into any special corps.
Prisoner said he had spoken to Capt. Kennedy (of Eastry) about it and wanted to join the Royal Horse Artillery.
The Mayor: That is another matter. Lots of people would like to do that. The Mayor said the case would be adjourned till Thursday at 11 'o' clock. If in the meantime they had proof that the prisoner joining one or other of H.M. Forces he would hear no more about it. Let this be a lesson to him. If he did get in the R.H.A. he would lose his jacket like a shot if he behaved in that way he did on Sunday night. Addressing Special Constable Parker the Mayor said his colleague and he felt that some word of commendation was due to him for the discretion he used. He was speaking as an eye-witness to the whole thing and he was sure that the promptitude, discretion and courage he showed on this occasion prevented not only serious injury to the defendant, but probably stopped what looked like growing into a very ugly row. He hoped what Special Constable Parker did would be an example and encouragement to other special constables and that the inhabitants of the town could perceive that the King's peace was quite safe in the hands of those who, like himself, had been good enough to help them in this time of stress and danger. The Bench also commend Curling for the part he took in the matter.