8th Essex Members to appear before the Courts in WW1
24 April 1915 - Southminster Magistrates Court
Charles Todd and Edward Parish of the 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion pleased guilty to riding cycles without lights at Burnham on Crouch, They were dismissed but both were ordered to pay 2 shillings costs
25 May 1915 - Braintree Magistrates Court
Private Frank Underwood from Black Notley of the 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion was charged with being an absentee from his Battalion at Frinton on Sea on 25 May 1915.
Police Sgt Scot said that he went to the Boar's Head Inn, Braintree and found Underwood there in plain clothes. PS Scott told his that he was wanted for being absent from his regiment and he replied that he was fed up with the 8th Essex and wanted to make a start in some other regiment. I was going to join the Norfolks in order to get out to the front.
He was remanded in custody to await a military escort.
30 December 1915 - Maldon Magistrates Court
Private Frederick Banyard and Private Ernest Free of the 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion both stationed at South Fambridge were charged with breaking and entering into the houseboat of Alfred Johns at North Fambridge. When arrested Private Banyard said that they did it for a game.
They were remanded into custody for sentence.
19 March 1916 - Maldon Magistrates Court
Private Frank Mills , age 19, of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion was charged with theft of a pair a sea boots value 25 shillings from a dredgerman called William Kingsbury at Burnham on Crouch.
Evidence was given that the boots were taken from a shed at the rear of Kingsbury's house by forcing the shed lock.
Police interviewed Mills and found the boots in his kitbag at Burnham on Crouch Drill Hall.
An Officer of the 8th Essex said that there was no previous charge against him and paid the 10 shilling fine.
3 April 1916 - Thorpe le Soken Magistrates Court
Lieutenant Robert Mackay of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion pleaded guilty to failing to carry a white light to the front of his motor cycle at Little Clacton. He was fined 10 shillings.
Captain Charles Bland of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion pleased not guilty to having no red light on his motorcycle and failing to keep his front light properly trimmed, lighted and attached. He was found guilty and fined 25 shillings.
5 May 1916 - Thorpe le Soken Magistrates Court
Florrie Smith was sentenced to 1 month in prison for assaulting Ruby M Ross of Clacton wife of Corporal Ross of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion
13 May 1916 - Chelmsford Magistrates Court
Private Samuel Frewer of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion and his mother Emily Frewer pleased guilty to attempting to obtain money for the Secretary for State for War by False Pretences at Chelmsford on 13 December 1915.
Private Frewer enlisted on 29 October 1914 and subsequently both he and his mother made false claims about their earnings.
Captain H Innocent, who has been Frewers Officer since February 1915, gave character evidence on behalf of Frewer.
Mother and son were bound over for 6 months and ordered to pay a guinea costs.
4 September 1916 - Clacton Magistrates Court
Captain Charles Frank Bland , Captain Henry Gibson and Lt William King all of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion were summonsed with riding a motorcycle without a red rear light at Ardleigh on 15 July 1916.
All were fined 10 shillings with 7 shilling costs.
30 December 1916 - Chelmsford Magistrates Court
Private Charles W Dockrell of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion was charged with attempting to obtain money for the Secretary for State for War by False Pretences on 28 August 1915.
Pte Dockrell enlisted on 22 August 1914 and made false claims about his dependents.
Dockrell has a good character and a clean army conduct sheet.
The case was dismissed with a warning to Dockrell regarding his conduct.
20 January 1917 - Lexden & Winstree Magistrates Court
Douglas Wanklyn of 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion was fined twenty shillings with 5 shillings costs for riding a motorcycle without a front light at Wivenhoe on 7 December 1916
23 February 1917 - Chelmsford Magistrates Court
Percy Stanley Jewell aged 17 was charged with theft from his employers.
Evidence was given that Jewell had joined the 8th Essex Cyclist Battalion although underage but had been released when his mother had informed the Battalion of his true age and so in December 1916 had gained employment in a shop.
