From the file WO71/526 held at TNA.
Charge Sheet
Section 12 (1a) Army Act
The accused No. 10495. Pte. Ingham A. 18th Service Battalion Manchester Regiment attached to 90th. Coy. Machine Gun Corps, a soldier of the Regular Forces, is charged with-
“Deserting His Majesty’s Service”.
in that he, when on Active Service, on the night of the 5th/6th. October 1916 absented himself from the 90th. Coy. Machine Gun Corps until apprehended by Military Police at DIEPPE on November.1st.1916. (where he was dressed in plain clothes).
(Signed) HB Williams Lieut Colonel,
Commanding.18th.Bn.Manchester Regiment.
Form for Assembly and proceedings of Field General Court Martial on Active Service.
PROCEEDINGS
At* On Active Service this twentieth day of November, 1916
Whereas it appears to me, the undersigned, an officer in Command of 90th Infantry Brigade on active service, that the persons named in the annexed Schedule, and being subject to Military Law, have committed the offences in the said schedule mentioned.
And I am of opinion that it is not practicable that such offences should be tried by an ordinary General Court Martial:
I hereby convene a Field General Court Martial to try the said persons and to consist of the Officers hereunder named.
President
Major M E McConaghey D.S.O 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
Members
Captain R E Roberts 16th Bn Manchester Regiment
Sec Lieut J B Edgar 2nd Bn. Royal Scots Fusiliers
Signed JH Lloyd Br. Gen
Comm 90th Inf. Bde
Trial of No 10495 Pte. A Ingham 18th Service Bn MANCHESTER REGT attd. 90th Coy Machine Gun Corps
1st Witness
No. 7300 CSM J.T MANTERFIELD 90th Machine Gun Company sworn states.
At BUIRE on 5th Oct 1916 about 8.30pm I called the roll of the Coy and the accused was present. At about 6.30am on the 6th Oct 1916 I again called the roll, the accused before the court was absent.
The Coy. was under orders to proceed into the line at the time. He was reported as an absentee on 7th Oct to 90th Bde and to the 18th Bn Manchester Regt.
Cross-examined
I did not personally call the roll on 5th Oct. The system is the Section Sergeants call the roll and report present or otherwise. The accused was reported present. I called the roll personally about 6.30am on the 6th Oct and the accused was absent. The orders were given out to the company that we were under two hours notice to proceed to the line about two days previously. The Company did not actually move into the line from BUIRE, it actually went into the line on 10th Oct.
Examined by the Court
I was into my Unit from 6th Oct to 1st Nov, the accused did not return to it. When the company was moved forward into the line, the company was on parade only for drill under Section Officers and N.C.O’s. They had already been previously issued with the orders by Captain Stewart 90th Machine Gun Company to the same effect. The accused was present when the orders were not actually read out but they were given out verbally.
2nd Witness
No, 10484 Corpl. G. DELANEY 18th Bn. MANCHESTER Regt. Sworn states.
At DIEPPE about 9.30am on 5th Nov 1916 whilst in Escort duty for my battn I took over the accused from the Military Police. I found the accused dressed in civilian clothes.
Not Cross Examined.
3rd Witness
No 1717 Sergt, H EMMENT RAMC attd Intelligence Corps, Dieppe Base.
About 9.30 am on 1st Nov 1916 I was on duty visiting shipping at the port and I visited the SWEDISH vessel BELLEVILLE. I there saw the accused and knowing that he was not one of the original crew I [illegible] him as to his identity. He said I am as American. I left America about eleven months ago. He refused to answer any other questions. Not being satisfied I took him to the intelligence Office and further questioned him. He said my name is Sam BOSTOCK , I am an American citizen and I refuse to give you any particulars about myself. About 3.15 pm the same day I again saw the accused . I said to him I want to question you again, Ingham. He said “Alright I’ll tell you all about it. My name is Ingham and belong to the Manchester Pals Battalion being attached to a Machine Gun Corps. Having lost most of my comrades I needed to clear out with Longshaw. When at BUIRE about 10.30pm on 5th or 6th Oct we left our billets and struck for the coast. We hid by day and travelled by night. We purchased the clothes and been at a village and arrived at DIEPPE about a week ago. Since then we have been working on the ships. No one on board knew who we were. He was then handed over to the Military Police.
This statement was taken by me and signed by the accused. “Further on we found some old coats and caps on the ship, which we wore, throwing the uniform into the dock”
Statement examined by the court
Special Observation was being kept upon this ship.
Not cross examined
Defence
Accused does not want to call witnesses
Accused states, not on oath,
I was worrying at the time through the loss of my chums. Also about my mother at home, being upset, through learning bad news of two of my comrades. I plead for leniency on account of my service in France of twelve months and previous good conduct. I beg for a chance to make amends. I left with my chum firstly to see those at home and then to try and get into the Navy along with his brother who is serving there.
Proceeding Conviction
2 Lt H Sedgwick 18th MANCHESTER REGIMENT prosecutor sworn states
I produce A.F.B 122. The accused has been 12 months in France.
(Signed) M E McConaghey
Major
Pres FGCM
20/11/16
Conduct Sheet
ONAS 21.11.15 Rank: Pte Losing by neglect one oil bottle
Punishment: Pay for one oil bottle 22.11.15
ONAS 30.12.15 Rank: Pte Absent Off 1.30pm Company Parade
Punishment: 3 Days CB 31.12.15
Active Service: 20.9.16 Rank: Pte Not complying with Battn orders
Punishment: 10 days FP No.2 22.9.16
Certified true copy
(Signed) WH Roberts II Leut. A/Adjt.
18th Bn. Manchester Regt.
9-11-16
Schedule
Name of Alleged offender (a):
No. 10495 Private A. Ingham, 18th Bn Manchester Regiment attached 90th Company Machine Gun Corps
Offence Charged:
Section 12 (1a) Army Act.
When on Active Service “Deserting His Majesty’s Service” in that he, in the night of 5th/6th October 1916 absented himself from the 90th Coy Machine Gun Corps until apprehended by Military Police at DIEPPE on November 1st 1916 (where he was dressed in plain clothes)
Plea: Not Guilty
Finding, and if Convicted, Sentence (b): GUILTY. To suffer DEATH by being shot.
If the name of the person charged is unknown, he may be described as unknown, with such addition as will identify him.
Recommendation to mercy to be inserted in this column.
(Signed) J H Lloyd Br. Gen Comm 90 Inf Bde.
(Signed) M E McConaghey Major – President FGCM
Recommendation
In the case of No. 10495 Pte Ingham a well thought out plan of escape from service is disclosed – and a man who commits such a crime deserves the extreme penalty.
I recommend that the sentence be carried out.
There is however no other reason either for the sake of discipline or example in the units concerned that it should be carried out.
JH Lloyd Br. Gen
Commanding 90 Inf Bde.
20.11.16
Statement from Battalion C.O
To H.Q
90th Infantry Brigade
Private Ingham came out with the battalion last November and his conduct was quite satisfactory up to the time of his transfer to the 90th M.G Company.
I consider that his desertion was deliberate and committed with the sole object of avoiding a particular service i.e going into action in the SOMME area. His previous conduct in action so far as the battalion is concerned has been good.
(Signed) G E Lembcke Major
Commanding 18th Manchester Regt
23.11.16
Division
CONFIDENTIAL
30th Division No C.M.19.
Headquarters
VII Corps “A”
Forwarded.
I recommend that the sentence be carried out as this is a clear case of deliberate desertion.
21.11.16
Signed) J.Shea
Major General.
Commanding 30th Division
Corps
VIIth Corps C.M 1403
Third Army A.
Forwarded.
Except as regards previous character which is reported good there are no extenuating features to this case and I therefore recommend that his extreme penalty be inflicted.
(Signed) T D’O Snow
Lieutenant-General
Commanding VIIth. Corps.
24-11-16.
Army
Third Army C.M 5174
The Adjutant General,
General Head Quarters.
Forwarded.
I recommend that the sentence of death on No. 10495 Pte. A Ingham be carried out.
(Signed) Edmund Allenby
General
Commanding Third Army.
Head Quarters,
Third Army.
24/11/16.
C in C
Confirmed.
D.Haig Gen.
28 Nov : 16
Confirmation
PLEASE DO NOT DETACH
General Officer Commanding
Third Army ‘A’
In confirmation of my telegram No. A(b) 2044 of to-day.
Please note that the C. in C. has confirmed the sentence in the case of
No. 10495 Private A Imgham
18th Manchester Regt attd 90th Coy Machine Gun Corps
Please return proceedings direct to the Deputy Judge Advocate at General Head Quarters after promulgation.
(Signed) [illegible]
pp Adjutant General,
British Army in the Field.
G.H.Q
28/11/16.
Sentence
I certify that the Sentence of Death awarded by F.G.C.M on No.10495, Private A. Ingham. 18th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment, attached 90th Company Machine Gun Corps, and confirmed by the Commander-in-Chief on the 28th November, 1916, was duly executed at 7.12 a.m today in my presence.
Signed [illegible]
Captain,
Assistant Provost Marshal,
30th Division.
1st December, 1916.
I certify that no. 10495 Private A. INGHAM of the 18th Battalion, THE MANCHESTER REGIMENT, attached 90th Company Machine Gun Corps, was executed by shooting at the place appointed on 1st Decmber, 1916, at 7.12 AM
Death was instantaneous.
Signed [illegible]
Captain, RAMC
1st December, 1916.
Blindfold and Alone 