Hop picker arrested (1916)

Post date: Apr 08, 2016 7:52:5 PM

Report on Malling Police Court in Kent Messenger of 30th September 1916

ARRESTS IN THE HOP GARDENS.

William Baker, 24. who had previously been before the Court as a conscript, was now

charged by the military authorities with feloniously representing himself to be a person

to whom a certificate of exemption from military service had been granted, on September

22nd, at Wateringbury.—It appeared that when Sergt. Everett arrested him defendant

gave his name as Baker, but in his possession was found a rejection card, bearing the name

of S. Johnson, issued by a London Medical Board.

— Edward Langland, bailiff to Mr. Hawes, Nettlestead, stated that when defendant arrived at the farm for hop-picking he

gave the name of Baker, and he had been known by that name ever since. A man

named Johnson also worked among the pickers.—Defendant said he found the card

on the farm, but he never represented himself to be Johnson.—The witness confirmed

this, adding that defendant never represented that the card belonged to him or used it in

anyway.

—The Bench accordingly dismissed the case, pointing out it was no offence for a

man to have another person’s card in his possession, so long as he did not use it.