SUDDEN FAME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 169, 18 July 1936, Page 9

SUDDEN FAME.

SPECIAL CONSTABLE.

Ex-Navyman's Prompt Action At Hyde Park Corner. BRUISED IN SCUFFLE. United Press Association.—Copyright. (Received 11.30 a.m.) LONDON, July 17. Special Constable Anthony Gordon Dick, who, it is disclosed, was responsible for tackling the King's assailant in the crowd at Hyde Park Corner yesterday, was kept awake all night answering newspapermen and people eager to see the man who sprung to fame by the work of a few seconds. An ever-growing pile of letters and telegrams kept pouring into his home. Everywhere he goes his hand is warmly shaken. All work at the place of his employment was held up temporarily while his colleagues offered their congratulations. He was quite overwhelmed and finally his employers sent him away for several days until the excitement wanes. While several accounts of the Hyde Park sensation credit a woman with having dispossessed McMahon of his revolver, the "Daily Mail" publishes a personal account of Mr. Dick, who is 30, and a commercial traveller for a firm of French polishers. He is strongly built. Formerly he was a naval stoker.

Mr. Diek said: "I was on duty as a special constable near the Wellington Arch and was standing with my back to the crowd as the King rode toward us. The crowd, cheering loudly, swayed and billowed behind me. I myself felt like cheering.

"I looked half left and then half right. There, quite near me, was a man with a gleaming revolver in one hand. I lunged forward, striking blindly at the weapon and it sailed through the air. I closed with the man, got him round the neck and held him as tight as I could. He shrieked: 'Good heavens, don't strangle me.'

"I was joined by other officers but not before I had a sharp tussle. Look." (And here Mr. Dick pulled up his trousering and showed a bruised shin. Also he indicated that his right arm had been lacerated by sharp fingernails.)

"Well, that is all in the day's work. I only did what any other special constable would have done, but I thanked my lucky stars for my naval training. That gave me just the extra quickness I needed." Mrs. Dick said: "Tony told me it was just luck that it was him. Anybody would have done the same. But I am so proud that he acted as he did." Sir Percy Laurie, Assistant Commissioner of Metropolitan Police, officially telegraphed thanking Mr. Dick for his promptitude and bravery.

POPE'S MESSAGE.

Satisfaction at Safety of King Edward. FINE FRENCH GESTURE. (Received 12.30 p.m.) VATICAN CITY, July 17. The Pope sent a message expressing his satisfaction at the King's safety. According to a British official wireless message, congratulations to the King and messages of thankfulness that no harm came to him, included- messages from all the Dominion Governments. At the London Court sessions to-day the chairman, Sir Percival Clarke, expressed thankfulness that the incident had not proved more serious. "It is right," he said, "that we should express our great satisfaction that the incident turned out to be harmless."

"The Times" says: "For generations the practice of Sovereigns of England lias been to move among their people not surrounded by apparatus for their protection but trusting in the love and loyalty of their subjects. The King yesterday • was riding at the head of armed forces, not encircled by their bayonets. This trust has been abundantly justified and though incidents such as yesterday's have occurred several times in the past century, they have not been allowed to diminish it." The French Chamber of Deputies, all members standing, resolved to send a message to the House of Commons associating itself with tlie joy of the British people in the safety of their beloved and respected Sovereign, and adding warm greetings and friendship. Tlie Senate, in sending a message to the House of Lords, is duplicating the Deputies' performance. "Le Petit Journal" (Paris) describes the incident as the stupid gesture of an unbalanced man, perhaps impelled by a morbid desire for publicity. "Le Petit Parisien" declares it was not an attack but the gesture of a madman. The entire French Press considers that the reactions show how deeply attached Britain is to her Royal Family. "II Giornale d'ltalia" (Rome) declares that tlie act was wicked and insane.