Hoby In The News in the First World war

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Hoby In The News in the First World war

Melton Mowbray Times Saturday September 18th 1915

During the First World War there were several families of Sheltons living in Hoby, these Sheltons are not related to Christopher who is honoured in the Forget Me Not pages.

Soldier’s Dependants Allowance – Charge of false pretences against mother & son.
Ernest William Shelton (20), private in 3rd / 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, stationed at Belton Park and Maria Rose Shelton (42), married women Hoby, the soldiers mother, were charged with unlawfully and knowingly, by certain false pretences, attempting and endeavouring to obtain from His Majesty’s Pay Master General, divers sums of money by way of superannuation allowance with intent to cheat and defraud, between 20th May and 22nd June.

Mr WF Wallace (Messers Freer and co Leicester) appeared to prosecute on behalf of the Leicestershire and Rutland Territorial Forces Association on the instruction of the War office. Captain CM Serjeantson of the Leicestershire Regiment was present.

Mr Wallace pointed out that a soldier who has dependants on him was entitled to a separation allowance, varying according to the amount according to the amount he has given them previous to enlistment. If a soldier, in filling up the army form, stated in it that he had been allowing a dependant a greater amount than he really had done, the effect would be that the pensions officer whose duty it was to see after these matters would give instructions to pay the dependant the sum the soldier he stated he was allowing before enlistment. In this case the soldier stated in the form he filled up that his mother had been receiving from him 12s per week and the mother filled up the from she was required to do to the same effect with a view, of course, of getting a separation allowance to that amount per week. It was also stated in the forms t hat the son lived with the mother. As a matter of fact the bench would hear from the evidence that the son was not living with his mother at all and that the total cash wages he received were 6s a week, he being employed by Mr Grills, farmer, of Ratcliffe-on- the- Wreake, as a farm lad living in. Although the board and cash he received were equivalent to about 18s per week it was absolutely impossible for him to be paying his mother 12s per week as alleged. The pension officer whose duty it was to investigate the case, went and saw Mrs Shelton, the mother, and she then informed him that they had arranged together to state that the son’s allowance to her was 12s a week. He (Mr Wallace) thought the Bench would find that a very gross fraud had been perpetrated, although Mrs Shelton did not actually obtain any money because it was discovered before any payment was made. It was very unfortunate that they should have to prosecute a soldier and his mother as well, but although of course, the Territorial Association had no vindictive feelings against these people at all, these cases were very common all over the country and the War Office prosecuted in these cases in order to prevent, as far they could, others arising and the Country being defrauded of this monies.

Supt Hinmen said he had received warrants for the apprehension for both defendants on the previous day and going to the Belton Park camp he saw the soldier defendant. He read the warrant over to him and cautioned him and he said “I am very sorry”. PC Chadburn stated he arrested Mrs Shelton that morning and in reply to the warrant she said “I have not received any money at all from the Army”.

John Edward Buckley, pension’s officer, of 6 Broad Street Syston, said it was his duty to enquire into separation allowance cases. In those where a matter of 10s to 12s per week was paid for board and lodging, they estimated as far as they could, the cost of keeping the youth and then the difference was made up as a separate allowance, so that if a soldier and his mother said the payment was several shillings more, the separation allowance would be so much the greater. He saw Mrs Shelton on 22nd June at her house and she said her son had allowed her 10s to 12s a week but her told her he had a statement from her son’s employer as to his wages and hers did not agree. She still asserted what she had told him was true. She afterwards said that her son was getting £17 10s a year but he told her he was going to put 12s on his form so she made hers up to agree with his. She also said he had, as a matter of fact, given her £8, £5 on one occasion and £3 on another. Witness told her the statement she had made was obviously untrue and she did not reply.

Jas. Francis Grills, Bleak house, Ratcliffe on the Wreake, said the soldier defendant was in his employ from May of last year until May of this year when he was enlisted. He was a yearly servant living on the farm, the rate of wages being £17 and he allowed him 6s 6d a week in addition to his board. It was impossible for defendant to earn money in any other way and if he stated that he earned 18s a week and lived at home it would be untrue. Charles Worrall, smith Hoby, said he witnessed and signed the army form produced filled in by Mrs Shelton relative to her son.

Defendants elected to be dealt with summarily and pleaded guilty, Mrs Shelton adding she was very sorry. The Chairman said they had rendered themselves liable to a fine of £25 each or three months imprisonment. They must have known it was a very wrong thing to do. (Mrs Shelton “I know it was). The magistrates however had decided not to fine them but to bind them both over to be of good behaviour for twelve months. They wished it to be a warning and if anything of this kind occurred in this district they would treat it very severely but in this case there were extenuating circumstances. Mrs Shelton, “Thank you very much gentlemen”.

The Melton Mowbray times February 26th 1916

Melton County Court
Yesterday Friday
(Before His Honour Judge Cann and the Registrar, Mr AH Marsh

A Hoby Telephone guarantee

The Postmaster General sued the Rev A E Beresford, Rector of Hoby, for £8 9s 10d, balance owing on the telephone guarantee. Mr Bigge, from Leicester appeared for the Post Office authorities and explained that the claim was for a deficiency of fees under a guarantee given by the defendant and others on 13th September 1913 in connection with the establishment of a telephone box in the village of Hoby. After long negotiations the office was opened on February 13th 1914, the amount guaranteed per annum being £11 but the calls for the twelve months only came to £1 11s 2d so that the guarantors were responsible for the balance of £8 9s 10d. Mr Beresford appeared and said owing to the war hunting people who were expected to largely use the telephone did not come into the district and apart from that they were not able to get proper attention. He admitted the guarantors were liable for the amount but he wished to know whether the Judge could give them any assistance. His Honour said he was very sorry he was unable to do so and would have to give a verdict for the amount claimed. He advised them to communicate with the postal authorities with a view to getting the telephone closed so that there should be no further liability and Mr Bigge said steps were being taken to that end.

3rd June 1916

The Melton Mowbray Times 30th September 1916

Flying officers mishap near Melton

Second Lieut McKinnon met with a mishap at Hoby, near Melton on Sunday afternoon resulting in slight injuries to himself and the total destruction of his aeroplane by fire. He was seen to pass over Melton Mowbray earlier in the afternoon and soon afterwards, finding himself short of petrol, he chose a field near the corner of the Hoby – Ragdale road belonging to Mr EB Bailey of Hoby on which to alight. Discovering that it did not afford a good landing place as he anticipated, Lieu McKinnon tried to rise again but the engine stopped and the machine was seen by several people to fall nose forward through the trees onto the ground, when it immediately burst into flames. The pilot was fortunately thrown clear of the machine and was found by those who had witnessed the occurrence to have been stunned and considerably cut about the face but otherwise not seriously hurt. There was no chance of saving the aeroplane the combustible parts of which burnt to ash leaving only the engine and other iron work. PC Chadburn of Thrussington and several special constables were early on the scene and a message for assistance was sent to Supt Hinmen at Melton Mowbray who reported the matter to the local officer in charge of the RFC and the latter proceeded to Hoby and placed a military guard over the wrecked machine. Liuet. McKinnon was removed to the house of Rev. J W Watts at Hoby where he remained until sufficiently recovered. The aeroplane remains were removed by a squadron of the corps to which it belonged.

18th November 1916

 

 

3rd December  1916

Saturday 24th February 1917 page 8

Food Production in Leicestershire

New Labour Battalion For The Land

With the objective of ensuring that the land in the County will be utilised to the fullest extent for the production of food, the Leicestershire War Agricultural Committee has appointed a strong Executive Committee, consisting of Messers. TF Deacon (Kilby Lodge), HW Joyce (Ashby), WC Stevenson (Swepstone), David Ward (Bescaby), E James (Hoby) and RF Allesbrook (Prestwold), with Mr John German (Ashby) as Chairman. Mr T Hacking, agricultural organiser, has been appointed Executive officer of the committee.

Under The Defence of the Relm Regulations extensive powers have been conferred upon this committee. The Executive may:
a) Take possession of any land not being cultivated so as to increase the food supply of the County and cultivate the land.
b) Take possession of any machinery or implements of husbandry or farm produce or stock on the land.
c) Provide housing accommodation for the persons employed.
d) Utilise any water supply or motive power
e) Require the occupier of the land to cultivate it in accordance with the requirements of the board.
A motor tractor has been placed at the disposal of the Committee by the Board of Agriculture and it is expected that it will be delivered within the course of the next week. German prisoners of war will be employed on farms and also a number of soldiers, a labour Battalion having been formed at Glen Parva Barracks for work on Leicestershire farms.

Some time ago the Agricultural Committee offered to supply allotment holders with seed potatoes and in consequence of the requests that have been made 570 tons have been ordered from the Board of Agriculture and intimation has been received that deliveries may be expected shortly.

All the farms in the region have, during the last few weeks have been surveyed and reports made upon the cultivation of most of the holding. These reports will now be considered and dealt with by the Executive Committee with the primary objective of using to a fuller degree the land for the production of food.

Saturday 24th February 1917

Hoby

Entertainment – with the objective of supporting the Mayor of Leicester’s £100,000 fund, an entertainment organised by Mr & Mrs Taylor (Rotherby) & Mrs James (Hoby) was given in the school room on Saturday evening. Mr Edwin James presided over a crowded audience and the efforts of the performers met with enthusiastic recognition. The vocalists were Miss Seddon and Miss Sharman. A couple of playlets, “ Mechanical Jam” and “A Pretty Bequest” were given by Miss Sheffield, Miss James and Messers RL and GJ Taylor, Mrs EB Bailey and Miss Wykes acting as accompanists. The amateur dramatics, and notably Miss Sheffield showed notable ability and a desire has been expressed that the plays may be repeated in the neighbourhood for the same worthy object.

 

Source: The Grantham Journal