what did he do so wrong causeing him a years milatry sentence?

[Stephanie Hayward]

Hi wondering if any one is willing to help me read my uncles Army papers.  I have just found them on ancestry, and am no fully understanding them since I am new at all this.  My uncles name was Arthur Lockyer born about 1888 in Deptford, Parents Julia Manning and Frederick Loc  kyer.  From what I am able to read he enlisted when he was 26, with the Royle west Kent regiment, and was a baker by trade.  There are several letters in his papers about a one year sentence for going a w o l, but I don't understand what he did that was so wrong causing him to be imprisoned for a year, please could any one help, appreciate it very much
steph

Images removed, small portions only are allowed for deciphering purposes

[Treetotal]

Hi Stephanie....We are only allowed to post a small portion of a document as it is subject to  copywrite laws.
Carol

[sgf28]

Awol means he was absent without leave so classed as desertion, which means he left his place of duty without permission. He was also taken down a rank from Lance Corporal to Private.

After he had served his sentence he was returned to his unit to continue his service but was then discharged from the army because he was no longer physically fit for service, which isn't surprising after serving a year of hard labour.

[groom]

It also says that he deserted and escaped from custody. So presumably he was punished for that as well.

[Stephanie Hayward]

There is another interesting letter but am unsure I am able to up load it. Steph

[jim1]

Are you referring to the one where he's asking for remission of sentence after serving 2 months ?
Obviously he was turned down.

jim

[groom]

Would a long sentence be usual for going AWOL? I had a great uncle where it is mentioned on his records that he did that for a few days, but he seems to have just been stopped pay. Would it have been the fact he then escaped custody that made it worse?

[Stephanie Hayward]

No jim1 there's more in his file which I can't really read x

[macintosh]

I cant read the extract but there is a marked difference between AWOL and desertion, normally someone who absents themselves without leave for various reasons, "going over the Barrack wall" when confined to barracks, not returning from leave at the stipulated time and date etc, most of these offences can be dealt with by the Company officer or the commanding officer and sentence can range from restriction of privelages, extra drills, fatigues or a time in the guardroom, Desertion is a much more serious offence and is dealt with usually be District or General Court  Martial.

The sentence by these courts can be severe and the death penalty has been used in the past.

James