QSR1856/3/5/26

Depositions of Robert Worsley, a private in the 73rd Regiment of Foot and John Thompson, sergeant of the 58th Regiment of the Foot. In the case of William Burns accused of obtaining a shilling by false pretences.

16 June 1856

From: 1856 To: 1856

Robert Worsley: a private in the 73rd Regiment of Foot. On 11 June he enlisted the prisoner, William Burns, at St Albans. He asked Burns if he was willing to serve her Majesty for 10 years and he replied yes. He gave him a shilling. He remained with him Thursday and Friday night but he missed him about noon on Saturday. He saw the prisoner again at Dunstable that evening, when he was taken into custody. John Thompson: a sergeant in the 58th regiment. He saw the prisoner on Saturday 14 June at Dunstable. He had heard the prisoner wished to enlist and went to him and asked if he was willing to serve Her Majesty in the 58th Regiment. The prisoner replied yes. He asked the prisoner if he had been in the army before or if he had been enlisted. Burns replied no. He enlisted him as Andrew Swaney and gave him a shilling. The last witness came to him that evening and saw the prisoner. Worsley said the prisoner had enlisted before. The prisoner then acknowledged he had. If he had known he had enlisted before he should not have given him the shillings. He then took him to the police and gave him into custody. Statement of the accused: Worsley had promised to enlist him as a civilian for the term of 10 years in the 73rd Regiment. Worsley promised to have him sworn in on Friday, fit to send away. During the time he was there, Worsley never gave him a billet for 3 nights and made him pay for his own lodging. He told Worsley that if he did not swear him in at the time he told him, then he would go from him.

item

Worsley, Robert,
Thompson, John

DUNSTABLE, 73rd Regiment, soldier, false pretences, desertion from armed forces, recruiting officer