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Aviation History
1916
1916 - 0367.PDF
APRIL 27, IL LEGAL INTELLIGENCE. Defence of the Realm Act Charge. AT Dover Police Court on the 20th inst., Mr. Edgar C. W. Middleton appeared on remand on a charge of unlawfully attempting to elicit information with respect to the movements or disposition of the Royal Naval Air Service such as might be of use to the enemy. Mr. Ernest Chitty, who prosecuted for the Admiralty, repeated the statement that the accused had told officers of the Royal Naval Air Service that he had come down to do a bit of spying for Pemberton Billing, and to get information for the Daily Mail, which was running Pemberton Billing. The Chairman : How many officsrs did the accused try to pump ? Mr. Chitty said he had only evidence that the defendant asked questions of two officers, but he volunteered remarks to three. Having been in the service, accused knew perfectly well how very ktrict were the regulations forbidding officers to give any informa tion, and he was leading those officers into very great peril. Detective-Inspector Moles gave evidence of arrest, and accused's denial of the charge was read over. Lieut. R. M. Spence, Assistant Paymaster, attached R.N.A.S., said he knew the defendant when in the air service at Dover. He met Middleton about noon on April 12th, and asked him what he was doing in Dover. He replied, " I have come to Dover to do a bit of spying for Pemberton Billing." He asked Middleton what he wanted to know. Accused replied that he (referring apparently to Pemberton Billing) " wants to know if the officers are still quartered about two miles away from the aerodrome, and have to make the journey each meal time." Defendant then asked where he would be likely to meet Flight-Lieut. Cannon, and witness told him if he would come along towards the office he would be likely to meet him going to lunch. On the way the accused gave witness to understand that there was a combination working against Captain Lambe, R.N., as composed apparently of Mr. Pemberton Billing and Mr. Childecott, and Commander Seuter's name was also mentioned in this connection. Middleton said it would not take much more to have Lambe kicked out. Replying to Mr. Chttty, witness said Captain Lambe was accused's superior officer at the time Middleton was stationed at Dover. Defendant mentioned that he wrote for the Daily Mail under the name " Air Pilot." Cross-examined by Mr. R. D. Muir (defending), witness said Captain Lambe was his own superior officer also. In Captain Lambe's absence witness communicated his conversation with Middleton to Flight-Commander Bromet. Mr. Muir urged that it was not the accused who asked questions, bat witness. Lieutenant Spence contended that there was questioning by accused. The flag captain gave evidence as to this case having been in vestigated by the competent naval authority at Dover, and handed over to the civil authority, with an expression of opinion that it should not be dealt with summarily, but by a jury. 1st Class Air-Mechanic John Kiniple deposed to the accused coming to the seaplane slation and asking for Flight Lieutenant Cannon, whom witness fetched. Flignt.-Lieut. R. P. Cannon, R.N.A.S., gave evidence that the accused was a friend of his whilst in the service at Dover. When they met outside the seaplane station on April 12th, witness said, " Hullo, Middleton, what are you doing at Dover ?" He replied, " I have been sent down to do a bit of spying for Pemberton Billing," or words to that effect. Witness made a suitable state ment when Middleton told hira that. Witness : The first part of the statement was simply " You fool," with something in between. Continuing, witness said Middleton accompanied him to the Grand Hotel to lunch. He there asked whether they still did anti aircraft patrol. He also asked whether arrangements had been made to quarter the officers elsewhere or at the aerodrome. Mr. Chitty: Did he mention what Mr. Billing wanted this in formation for? Witness : He said it was for questions in the House of Commons. Cross-examined by Mr. Muir, witness said he was quite friendly with Middleton in the service. Their luncheon was not interrupted by the police inspector, as he waited till they had finished coffee. As far as he knew, Middleton had always been loyal and patriotic. Middleton's age was about 21. Mr. Muir suggested that accused's way of talking of things was 'he very reverse of restrained, and that he used exaggerated language concerning everything he dealt with. Witness hardly agreed.and Mr. Muir then suggested that the accused talked a little *' tall." Witness : To me he used to. Mr. Muir: Swank is the word, isn't it ? Witness : No, not swank ; he used to have firm opinions on things, and say what he meant. I don't know quite how to express [/LIGHT] it. It was not Middleton's habit to understate his views. If any thing he overstated them occasionally. Witness said he did not express a favourable opinion of Mr. Pemberton Billing to Middleton. He told him he did not like Mr. Pemberton Billing's ways of going on. DJ£ r- Muir: Did he say what his acquaintance with Mr. Pemberton Billing was—whether slight or otherwise ? Witness : He mentioned booming him in the Daily Mail. Cross-exsmined by Mr. Chitty as to whether he had any reason to think the accused was using exaggerated language when speaking about Pemberton Billing, witness said he took tt that the defendant was simply stating an ordinary fact. He was not excited. Witness added that Middleton said either Commander Seuter or Captain Lambe would have to leave the service soon, and he expected it would be Captain Lambe, as he had no Press backing. Flight-Lieutenant Ryder Young, R.N.A.S., also deposed to Middleton telling him he was working with Pemberton Billing. He mentioned the names of one or two officers, asking if they were still in the Air Service. Accused also said the more power Billing had the less would be Captain Lambe's power. Detective-Sergeant Hugh Ashley, New Scotland Yard, stated that on April 13th he and Police-Sergeant Haines examined ac cused's apartment at 11, Woburn Place, London, and there found a number of documents now produced. They included an Admiralty letter, dated December 15th last year, stating that the accused had been found unsuitable for the Air Service, and they regretted they must terminate his appointment as Probationary Flight-Lieutenant. From that date there was also a proof slip, signed " Air Pilot," sent by the Daily Mail to the Censor. There was a letter signed by the accused, apparently written to Mr. Pemberton Billing, stating, inter alia :— " A few days ago I offered my support in your election campaign, but since that time various facts concerning your past career and present supporters have come to my knowledge, ana I cannot now see my way to support you." A manuscript article was next put in, and Mr. Chitty asked that it should not be read as it contained matters that should not be made public. Two packets of developed films were also put in. Mr. Chitty remarked that they were films of captive balloons and so on, and, strictly speaking, no civilian should be in puasewion of of them. The detective-officer said they also found a tape message in cipher. They had not been able to decipher it, ana had sent it to the Admiralty. When formally charged, Mr. Muir, on behalf of the defendant, pleaded not guilty, and reserved his defence. In asking that the defendant should be released on bail, Mr. Muir said there was not the smallest reason for supposing that the accused ever intended to make use of the information he was acquiring except that it might be put in Parliament as a question. The member for Canterbury (Captain Bennett-Goldney) and Mr. Joynson- Hicks had both been asking the same kind of questions, and had stated that they had been acquiring information in this district on the same subjects. So he supposed the Admiralty would presently have them here to stand their trial with the defendant. Accused was committed for trial at the Kent Assises, bail being allowed—himself in one security of ,£50 and another similar security. 9 ® • ® Workers at the R.A.F. AT the meeting of the Farnborough tribunal on the 18th lust, the point raised by a deputation of workmen discharged from the Royal Aircraft Factory was further considered. Colonel Henderson, from the War Office, attended, and stated that those workmen who wished might return to their employment and to membership of the R.F.C., while any who preferred to transfer to another branch of the Territorial Force might «end their names to the War Office, and they would be posted to available Territorial units. Those who had signed Imperial service forms were soldiers still, and, therefore, were not affected by the Military Service Act as at present constituted. He advised the men who had not so signed to go to the recruiting officer at once ; otherwise they would be treated as deserters. The deputation then raised the point as to their Army pay, since they were still soldiers, and had been out of work for some weeks ; this question is to be considered. An Air Election Echo. MR. PBMBERTON BILLING'S election expenses at East Herts amounted to £786 Is. id. Captain Brodie Henderson's expenses were £1,150 \s.*L Italian Antl-Alfcraft Successes. BETWEEN March 27th and April 12th, 1* Austrian aeroplanes were brought down by the Italians. During the last 11 mostths only three MaJian aeaoplanes have been brought down.
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