QSR1846/2/5/3

Depositions and examination - James Fitch charged with stealing a pair of boots.

25 March 1846

From: 1846 To: 1846

William Blackmore, a private of the 70th regiment of foot – he is stationed at Dunstable in the recruiting service. On Tuesday 24 March he went to bed at the Kings Arms where he is billeted. There were three beds in the room and the prisoner slept in one of them. He put his boots under the bed and when he got up in the morning Fitch was gone and so were his boots. The boots produced are his, marked inside with the number of the regiment and the figures 1011. He went with the policeman from Dunstable and they overtook Fitch near St Albans. Fitch was wearing the boots when they found him. Their clothes and boots are given out to them by the Quartermaster of the Regiment on 1st April and after they have worn them for 12 months they become their own. Samuel Hornal of Dunstable, police constable – on Wednesday 25 March he went with Blackmore in pursuit of the prisoner and overtook him near St Albans. He took the shoes off Fitch’s feet and Blackmore identified them. Fitch said he took them because he was hungry, with the intention of being apprehended.

item

Fitch, James,
Blackmore, William,
Hornal, Samuel

DUNSTABLE, stealing, boots, soldier, 70th Regiment of Foot, recruiting officer, police constable, Dunstable Kings Arms