Jack Mantle, Deserted Navy To Become Soldier, Is Free -- Less than two months after a Chatham naval court-martial had dismissed him the Service and sentenced him to twelve months imprisonment for desertion, Jack Mantle, who served nearly five years in the Army while absent from the Navy, walked out of Maidstone jail today-a free man. In February 1939, ***** Mantle, than a Royal Naval able-seaman, went absent from Chatham Naval Barracks whilst upset over the death of a favourite sister. In October 1946, he walked back into the barracks in civilian clothes and surrendered to clear the could hanging over him. January 01, 1947. (Photo by Keystone).