Teenager admitted wearing the uniform of a serviceman without authorisation

He had masqueraded as his brotherin-law, whose special leave from the war front when his wife became seriously ill had expired.

Fortunately she recovered but begged her husband not to return to the front.

By this time his leave was 14 days overdue, so compassionate Albert Seccombe, 17, volunteered to take his place. Donning his uniform, he made his way to France.

But soon as he arrived, he was detained, placed in the guard room and told he would face a court-martial.

It was only then that the truth emerged.

The 17-year-old admitted his deception to his shocked superiors. They immediately released him from custody and had him returned to Southampton.

Chief Inspector Allison, prosecuting, observed: “The most serious aspect of the case is that the brother-in-law had deserted, and the lad, though he probably did not realise it, had aided and abetted his desertion.”

Magistrates concurred he had acted out of “foolish good nature” but told him the the consequences were serious and he had caused considerable bother.

He was fined £1 with 14 days in default.