A soldier with twelve years’ clean record in the Army was sentenced for felony after being made drunk by his friends.
Police Records of Southport, January 9, 1915
No Government has ever received more warnings than the three war Governments have received concerning drink. There is no room for them here, but we may call a few witnesses such as cannot be ignored by a nation looking forward to the day when millions of men will be home again.
A house in Westminster reeked with filth and drink and drunken overseas soldiers, “and it would be better,” said the Crown Solicitor, “if power were given to the police to sweep such places off the earth.”
Westminster Police Records, Aug. 1916
A sapper seaman was found dead at the quay. Another seaman said his friend had seven drinks. They left the publichouse arm-in-arm, and went to the quay. There he saw a corporal, who was boatswain for the night, and was drunk. Leaving the sapper, he got the corporal into the boat, and went back for his friend, but the sapper had disappeared.
The lieutenant: “The deceased was one of the quietest boys who had ever been on the ship, and one of the best oarsmen. The whole trouble was that it was pay day.”
The Coroner: “Prohibition during the war would be a blessing to all. It seems to be a very rotten state of affairs.”
The foreman: “Drink.”
The lieutenant: “Prohibition would be the best thing.”