Sergt. Kay, the rank he held 1914, was one of the first Shanghai men to enlist and left for London in October, 1914, the complement on the Suva Maru being under com mand of Major Hilton Johnson. Other than having to wait two weeks until the German cruiser Emden was driven from the waters round Singapore, the trip was uneventful.
"Two months later, at the advice of Major Hilton Johnson he joined the East Yorkshires with the rank of Quarter-Master Sergeant.
To him, it appeared in the "civilian" section of the East Yorkshires, that he would never sce service abroad so he "deserted," and within a few hours later Joined the Gordons as a private, with whom he felt he would see active service within a few weeks, The M.P''s picked him up on draft Teave—the fast leave going abroad. A court martial was ordered, He was defended by a Mr. Douglas, at one time Shanghai's most brilliant lawyer, who Inter fell on the field of battle. Hi defence broke down the prosecution' tease and the charges were dismissed. The Court ordered that Mr, Kay should be returned to his first reriment with the rank of private and soon he was sent to France,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.