Military Prison /Detention Barracks Alexandria, Egypt 1939

Discussion in 'The Brigade of Guards' started by Tullybrone, Jul 26, 2012.

  1. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    My father used to tell a tale about a Guardsman in 3rd C.G. who was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment April/May 1939 (shortly after their return to Alexandria, Egypt from 6 months active service in Palestine) and on his return to the Battalion was killed in action in December 1940.

    He was arrested by Military Police in an open air cinema (alcohol available) for failing to stand for the national anthem at the end of the performance.

    Does anyone know where he might have served his sentence? I doubt he was sent back to UK as he rejoined his Battalion.

    I know the man's name but will not put it on the forum.

    Thanks.

    Steve Y
     
  2. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi,

    Just come across this on an outline of a WW1 service record on Great War Forum -

    "Deserted at Mustapha, Alexandria (modern: Marwan Mostafa Kamel) on 27-9-1915
    Caught or gave himself up, 11-1-1916

    Sentenced to one year's imprisonment with hard labour at a Field General Courts Martial on 17-3-1916

    Guilt confirmed but sentenced remitted to six months imprisonment with hard labour

    Reduced from Bombardier to Driver, 17-3-1916

    Imprisoned from 4-4-1916 at Gabbari (modern: Al-Qabbari) Military Prison, Alexandria

    3rd CG were based at Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria 1939.

    Does anyone have any knowledge of Gabbari Military Prison, Alexandria?

    Steve Y
     
  3. DaveB

    DaveB Very Senior Member

    Does anyone know where he might have served his sentence? I doubt he was sent back to UK as he rejoined his Battalion.

    Steve Y


    In 1941 the Aussie forces had a detention barracks in the area - British Mandate of Palestine: Palestine, Jerusalem

    1st Australian Detention Barracks at Mount Zion, standing inside a corner of the fence that encloses the barracks compound. The fence is made of heavy gauge wire fixed to strong metal poles and rails and surmounted by several feet of barbed wire.


    Permalink: P02336.003 | Australian War Memorial


    It is possible that the AIF camp was built alongside a pre-exisiting British facility for ease of administration
     
  4. Drayton

    Drayton Senior Member

    Imprisoned from 4-4-1916 at Gabbari (modern: Al-Qabbari) Military Prison, Alexandria

    3rd CG were based at Mustapha Barracks, Alexandria 1939.

    Does anyone have any knowledge of Gabbari Military Prison, Alexandria?


    My WW1 sources spell the facility Gabbaree. There are often variations in the transcription of such names.

    I have no idea whether the facility was still operational in WW2.

    The actual charge must have been either refusal to obey a direct order to stand, or conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline. If the sentence was, indeed, 18 months imprisonment, this suggests that there was a lot more to it than has been disclosed. If every man guilty of a trivial act of insubordination had been locked up for 18 months, there would have been no army left to fight, not to mention the resources wasted in holding a court-martial for a matter normally dealt with summarily by the CO awarding a few days' jankers.
     
  5. Tullybrone

    Tullybrone Senior Member

    Hi Drayton,

    I am sure there were "aggravating circumstances" and other charges laid as my father said "he didn't go quietly!

    Steve Y
     

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