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Gnr. William Benjamin Starling
British Army 152 (Hackney) Heavy Battery Royal Garrison Artillery
from:Hackney
My father William Starling spoke little about the War. He did tell a tale one of how they would quickly take out their knives when a horse was killed, to have some fresh meat. And he also told of his end of the War, when he was stationed in Germany as part of the occupying force. He had by then risen to the rank of Sergeant. A more senior Sergeant (probably a Warrant Officer) was drafted out to take charge of them, one who had spent his war in England. This did not sit well with my father, nor did the man's old army ways, so my father, having got drunk one night, put him in hospital - for which he received the usual punishment, reduced to ranks, time in the 'glasshouse' (which he did not mind as the MPs were sympathetic) and dishonourable discharge. He was asked to join a new unit being put together to serve in Ireland, whilst in the prison, but just did not fancy joining the Black and Tans.
