From The Kearney Files
Advertiser (Adelaide) Tuesday 15th September 1903 page 6
London Personal Gossip
From our special correspondent London August 14th 1903
Last Saturday Elfric Kearney, Henry Wilson and Charles Davison, musicians were charged, before Mr. Garrett with being absentees from the King's Colonial Battalion of Imperial Yeomanry, quartered at Latimer Barrack Buckinghamshire. Sergeant Kenny arrested the three men, who, while not denying their identity, claimed that they had a grievance. Davison said he enlisted on the understanding that he was to be treated as a musician and would be paid for whenever required and that he would receive a notification from the authorities when it was necessary for him to attend military operations. Mr. Garrett said the members of the Imperial Yeomanry were in exactly the same position as the Militia when called out for annual training and were liable liable to be treated as absentees or deserters. It would be his duty to hand them over to an escort. Any complaint as to the understanding on which they were enlisted they must take to the Ear Office because the regulations made no distinction and treated Bandsmen and others alike in everyway.
The three men were handed over to an escort for conveyance to the Latimer Camp.
Mr Kearney was the gentleman who successfully petitioned the King for the release of certain Australian volunteers who were sent to "serve time" for some breach of discipline in South Africa.
No further information as to any charges brought is available to me at the present time.
(D B).
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