Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

The Advertiser (Adelaide, SA: 1889 - 1931) Saturday 28 February 1914
DEFAULTING CADETS.
Eleven senior cadets were charged at the Adelaide Police Court on Friday with having failed to attend compulsory parades during February. Lieutenant H. K. Rowell appeared to prosecute. The defendants were:—John E. Nicholson, Edward James Nicholson, William Delaney, Ernest G. Webb, Frederick S. Sheffield, Thomas Shelly, Frederick Patrick Thulborn, Sidney John Maulthouse, Albert F. Zimmermann, Lawrence Baldock, and Oliver Herbert Howard. Fines were inflicted in every case but one, in default detention at Fort Largs. Howard was ordered to pay the costs only. He said he did not drill because he was attending the funeral of his sister. He was re- minded that he should have notified the officer of the fact.
The S.M. noticed that some of the cadets were inclined to be disorderly. He asked Lieutenant Rowell what was done with the boys at the fort, and the reply was that they were drilled for six hours daily and were then allowed to go swimming, or otherwise amuse themselves.
The S.M.—Do you teach them manners?
Lieutenant Rowell—I don't think some of them will ever learn manners.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article5417892

The Register (Adelaide, SA: 1901 - 1929) Saturday 7 March 1914
A CADET PENALIZED.
From "Liberty":— I have been waiting for a more able pen than mine to take notice of the case of Oliver Herbert Howard (mentioned in last Saturday's paper), who was brought before the Military Court for non-attendance at drill, his reason for not doing so being that he was attending his sister's funeral. He was not fined, but had to pay 15/ costs and suffer the disgrace of being had up before the Court, which, in the circumstances, was a cruel and unfeeling thing to do. What are we coming to in this country, which used to be free, when a lad cannot attend to one of the most sacred duties of family life without being practically fined for doing so? Fifteen shillings may not seem much to his judges, but to a cadet it is a great deal.
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58502234

The Register (Adelaide, SA: 1901 - 1929) Tuesday 10 March 1914
THE CASE OF CADET HOWARD.
With reference to a letter by "Liberty" in The Register of March 7 relatively to the case of Cadet Oliver Herbert Howard, the Acting Commandant stated that before the letter appeared he had learned the full facts of the case from the area officer, who informed him that the boy was a confirmed drillshirker. "He had not been on parade for over three months. Before proceeding against a trainee for non-attendance a specific parade must be stated on the summons sheet. The parade chosen by the area officer in this instance coincided with the day of Howard's sister's funeral. The area officer did not know this until it was too late to withdraw the summons. He asked the Magistrate to deal leniently with Howard in consequence, and the same time pointing out that the lad was a very bad attender, and was having a bad influence on those who did attend drill. The Magistrate, as he always does, hears both sides patiently; and his award of costs against Howard should be accepted as a fair judgment on the case. Outsiders like "Liberty" should remember they are not in a position to judge, as they have not heard both sides of the case. If "Liberty" and individuals of that ilk would communicate with this office before rushing into print they would receive a courteous reply, and be provided with fuller particulars. We are endeavouring to administer the Act firmly and wisely." The Commandant added that Howard would have been excused from the parade in question "if he had taken the trouble to apply for leave of absence. Dozens of trainees are granted leave from drill every Saturday on much less reasonable grounds than attending a sister's funeral."
http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58503767