Discharged on conviction of theft?

[denfield]

Can anyone help me to clarify this information please.

My grandfather was in the Royal Regiment Artillary from 12.12.04 until 28.5.07, when he was fined £2. 10s and discharged on

'conviction of the c power of theft'.

Why would he be discharged for this offence ?

Does 'c power' mean civil power ?

Why didn't the Army punish him ?

I would be glad of any clarification. Thankyou.

[km1971]

Yes c means civil, and theft (of civilian property) meant that he was tried in a civil court. In war time the army would probably not have discharged him. However between the Boer War and WW1 they could afford to be choosy.

What were the terms of this enlistment - top of page 1? They introduced a 3 + 9 years alongside the normal 7 + 5. To be allowed to continue in uniform for the full 12 you had to be 'of good conduct'. So they may have reasoned that they would be getting get rid of him soon anyway.

Have you looked at local newspapers at the time of his discharge? A soldier being prosecuted would be worth a few lines.

Ken

[denfield]

Thank you very much for your response.

It says on his papers that he extended his service in May 05 ...8 years in the colours and also that he was awarded an IGC badge which he then forfeited because of the conviction.

Do you know what an IGC badge is?

I had never thought of looking at the newspapers.

Thanks so much.

[km1971]

IGC will be 1 GC, ie one good conduct badge. This would have been awarded for two years service (after the age of 18) and would entitle him to an extra 1d a day pay. The badge was actually an inverted stripe above his left cuff.

If he was doing a 7 + 5 the army had the right to delay his transfer to the Army Reserve by up to a year (ie making eight) if he was overseas when he had completed 7 years. So I do not understand why this was done after one year.

Ken

[denfield]

Good to hear that he was of good conduct,  prior to the theft conviction coming along anyway.

Bit of a mystery man this Grandad. I've never been able to find his birth, despite extensive searching. I've had help from this board before as I was enquiring about the 23 rd Royal Welsh - as on Grandad's marriage in 1905 he states that his father was an 'ex Sgt Major 23rd regiment Royal Welsh Fus'. I thought I may have more luck with his Dad than him, but just as mysterious.

Fantastic help and I suppose I do get a tiny bit furthur each time .

Thanks again.

[denfield]

Thinking more about this. Would the fine have been imposed by the Army with a civil punishment in addition... or was the fine a record of the civil punishment he received ?

I suppose that £2.10s was a big amount in 1907.

Thanks