“He Crimed Me” Le Steent-je, France, May 1917

51st Battalion Signalling Sergeant Herbert Hopkins had a background in analytical chemistry and was described as “a most useful man”. He would soon be awarded the Meritorious Service Medal and finish the war at the rank of lieutenant. Bert had previously got along very well with him. 

At lunch on 20 May 1917 however, Bert and Hopkins got into a heated row and Bert “told him off”, for which Hopkins charged him with insubordinate language to an NCO. Later that day Bert wrote in his diary, “He crimed me & I am under ‘Open Arrest’ now.”

21 May - 8.30pm - “IN THE CLINK” 

So, lost the case … & am in the cooler for 14 days after a clean record of over 2 years. I never had a chance from the first. I was up before a one man court (the CO) in which the prisoner is allowed no witnesses, and yet the complainant is. That is the way you are tried in the army. I would have had a chance in an ordinary court. Here it was cut & dried, the guns were into me before the case came off. 

I am not concerned about it. It is no disgrace and will be quite a holiday for me. We are billeted in a good barn & being desperate characters, have six guards. There are 16 in the boob* right now. Been reading, now to bed.

22 May - Did not get out of bed til nine this morning and have been laying on my back reading & smoking all day. His Majestys Hotel is fairly decent. Nothing to do all day & plenty of time to do it in! My rations & meals are brought down by the Sig Mess Orderly. I regret my trouble I am causing them only. They are putting Hopkins thro it more, now he has done this. It’s 9pm & here’s to bed.

After 12 days mostly spent playing cards, reading and skylarking, interspersed with route marches, pack drill and being on fatigues, Bert was released. They were preparing for Messines.

*AIF slang, meaning prison or guardroom

By Shannon Lovelady
Story from A Signaller’s Story Exhibit