This did set a precedent for the rest of the war, but did stop a lot of minor complaints. The lady did rather shock me by say she would stay. While I had full intentions of giving it their bare bottoms in front of her she said (or something similar) hope you will take those well-patched trousers down and do it right across their bare behinds. She stayed and watched and nodded with approval as they bent over and watched each take the six strokes.
This, if judged by todays standards would seen totally wrong, but at the time it was not seen as anything more than fair reasonable punishment. Their was no reason at all that this lady should not see the two offenders punished and it made no difference if it was on clothing or bare . I saw one of the boys mothers the next day and she said Glad to hear you gave him a good caning yesterday for stealing in front of Mrs. A few years after the war it may not have been so warmly received. Unlike today a boys bottom was not some sacred object that can not be seen or hit. In 1940 it could be bared and given a good caning, but over six strokes may have caused a complaint about it being a little harsh. The words indecent assault or abuse were not linked to this type of punishment.