Conisbrough Man’s Foolishness – Wished To Impress

August 1942

South Yorkshire Times – Saturday 29 August 1942

Wished To Impress

Conisbrough Man’s Foolishness

Satisfied that he had had no subversive motives, the Rotherham West Riding bench (Mr. J. H. Townend and Mrs. P. M. White) dismissed on Tuesday summonses against Stanley Fowler (43), labourer, of Warren Road, Contisbrough, charging him with unlawfully recording information with to munitions of war, and respect unlawfully communicating such information to another person.

Fowler, who pleaded guilty, was ordered to pay costs.

Mr. R. C Linney, prosecuting, said defendant was employed in some aircraft production works. He handled bombs and got to know what the measurements of them were. These he had recorded in a note book and on July 25th he produced the book to an inspector of the factory in a Swinton public house. The inspector reported the matter to the police and the defendant was seen and made a statement, in which he said he recorded the measurements for his own personal advancement at the works.

Mr. Linney said it would appear defendant wanted to impress somebody with the interest he was taking in his work. He gathered that the police were satisfied it was a case of foolishness. The case was brought as a warning.

Defendant’s foreman said he was a satisfactory workman.