Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article – Friday October 23rd, 1914

DO YOU KNOW

That fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion Leicestershire about to go abroad?

(George was one of these Famous ‘First Fifty’ as they would be forever remembered – only 22 would return)

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

LOCAL NEWS

Fifty of the Coalville Territorial recruits who have been selected to make up the 5th Battalion for France received their clothes yesterday preparatory to leaving for Luton to-day (Friday).

Coalville Times article – Friday October 30th, 1914

COALVILLE TERRITORIALS LEAVE THIS MORNING
ENTHUSIASTIC SEND-OFF

Fifty of the Territorial Reserves selected to make up the 5th Battalion at Luton left Coalville for that place by the 9 o’clock train this morning (Friday) amid scenes of great enthusiasm. The railway station, bridge, and approaches thereto, were crowded with hundreds of people, and the Coalville lads had a much hearty send-off. The crowd included the Vicar, curate and many of the leading residents of the town and district. The Territorials looked very smart in their new uniforms and before they left they found in their pockets packets of cigarettes and chocolates, a pleasant surprise which a number of Coalville ladies and gentlemen had thoughtfully prepared for them. While waiting for the train they and the crowd sang “It’s a long way to Tipperary” and other popular martial airs, and the train left amid ringing cheers.

Coalville Times article – Friday November 6th, 1914

LOCAL CHIT CHAT

Several of the Coalville friends of the fifty Territorial Reserves who left here for Luton last Friday have received letters which show that the men are in excellent spirits. Upon arrival at Luton they were allotted to various companies and were billeted at houses in the town, being supplied with warm blankets, and the food was stated to be good and plenty of it. It is just possible that they may have left Luton by now, as a letter received from one of them yesterday, stated they were mobilising on Wednesday and were expected to leave for an unknown destination. Since arriving at Luton on Friday they have had gun practice, several long marches and engaged in mimic warfare.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 17th, 1919

DISCHARGED SOLDIER’S DEFENCE

Magisterial sympathy for a discharged wounded soldier was shown in a case at the Coalville Police Court, on Friday, when John Smith (32), and George Bennett (31), colliers, Whitwick, were summoned by Trevor Pratt, gamekeeper to Mr de Lisle, for day poaching at Whitwick, on December 18th, and for wilfully damaging a stone wall at the same time. Defendants both pleaded not guilty.

Mr J. J. Sharp, who prosecuted, said he was surprised at them taking that course, as since the offence they had been to Mr de Lisle and asked him to be lenient.

Trevor Pratt said he saw the defendants and another man in Cademan Wood about 11 am. He saw one dog, and believed there were two. A rabbit ran into a stone wall and the defendants pulled the wall down to get at the rabbit, but it got away. Then they put a ferret in a rabbit hole. They went off on seeing him and he secured the ferret, which he produced in court, remarking, “It is a very good one.”

P.C. Groocock said he met Bennett in Cademan Street, coming from the direction of Cademan Wood with a dog. His boots were dirty and there was green stuff on his coat.

By Bennett: Witness would have stopped him had he thought he had a rabbit on him.

Bennett, on oath, denied the offence, saying it was a case of mistaken identity. He was a discharged soldier, and would not be so silly as to risk losing his pension for the sake of a rabbit. When he went to see Mr de Lisle, after receiving the summons, he told him he was not guilty. He explained to the Bench that he was unable to use his left arm through it having been hit by an explosive bullet, and he produced his army papers showing that he was discharged after two years with the Leicesters in the army, during which he was an honest, sober and reliable man. Mr Sharp said Mr de Lisle did not wish to press the cause unduly.

The question arose as to whether a conviction would affect the man’s pension, and the clerk said it would not, being only a summary offence. Superintendent Lockton said a man might lose his pension if sent to prison for larceny.

The chairman said the magistrates would take a lenient view as they were sorry defendant had been wounded while fighting for his country. They would serve both defendants alike, and dismiss the cases on payment of 16/- each, costs and damage, and the chairman said he hoped it would not occur again.

Coalville Times article - Friday, July 4th, 1919

DAY POACHING AT WHITWICK

NOVEL DEFENCE

“POACHERS ARE SPORTSMEN”

At the Coalville Police Court on Friday, George Bennett (32), William Hurst (33), Wilfred Black (20), of Whitwick, and John Allen (21), of Thringstone, all colliers, were summoned for day poaching at Whitwick, on June 14th.

Mr J. J. Sharp (Coalville) for the prosecution asked for a fortnight’s adjournment owing to the illness of a witness.

Mr R. Clifford (Loughborough) for the defendants, opposed the application, saying he was prepared to proceed. The magistrates declined an adjournment. Defendants all pleaded not guilty.

Trevor Pratt, game keeper to Mr De Lisle, stated that about 9 am he saw the four men and three dogs at Sharpley corner. He knew the defendants, who did not see then. He saw Bennett go through the Sharpley Rough gate and the others stood near the gate. The dogs put up a hare in the bracken and chased it. He shouted and as soon as defendants saw him they bolted. He had known the men all their lives and had no doubt as to their identity. A friend was with him who came from Yorkshire to a wedding and he promised to come as as witness, but was ill.

By Mr Clifford: He did not make random charges and this was not all imagination.
Mr Clifford: I suggest that if colliers are poachers they are sportsmen, and would not go after game at this time of the year.
Pratt: They go at any time.

The defendant Bennett said he had served in the army nearly three years, and was discharged in consequence of wounds.

Mr Sharp: We had all this in another case not long ago.

Proceeding, defendant said he worked at the Whitwick Colliery, and went for a walk after leaving work that morning, with Hurst. At the Sharpley corner they saw the other two and they sat talking. They had no dogs and never went into Sharpley Rough. They never saw Pratt and did not run away. He had a little mongrel dog which belonged to his little boy. The other three defendants gave similar evidence, all denying that they ever left the road. Mr Clifford said the defendants all bore a good character and in view of that and the service they had rendered their country in the war, he asked the Bench not to convict them on the uncorroborated evidence of Pratt. Defendants were each fined 12/6 or 14 days.

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 14/12/2017