Royal Escort For R.A.F. Pilot

Press, Volume XCI, Issue 27641, 23 April 1955, Page 7

Royal Escort For R.A.F. Pilot

(Rec. S p.m.) LONDON, April 22. King Hussein, of Jordan, flying his own plane, personally played the part of an ally by escorting a British Venom jet fighter which was in trouble over Jordan yesterday, according to the Amman correspondent of “The Times.”

King Hussein, who married Princess Dina Abdil Hamid, three days ago, had just escorted King Feisal, of Iraq, home to Bagdad, and was piloting his own aircraft, a Dove of the Arab Legion, back to Jordan, when he picked up distress signals from the British puot He altered course and reached the (Venom, which had engine trouble, in time to see the pilot escaping by parachute. He circled over the position until he saw ground rescue parties arrlva ing, and then flew on to Amman. M.C.C. May Honour Hutton .Clec. 10 p.m.) LONDON, April 22. Len Hutton, now on his way home from Australia, is to receive the highest honour Lord’s can confer—to become the first cricketed ever made an honorary life member of the M.C.C. during his playing career, Crawford White said in the “News Chronicle” today. White said this is the interpretation placed on a resolution to come before a special general meeting of the M.C.C. on May 4. At present the M.C.C. rules make it clear that the committee can grant honorary membership only to the “really great” among professional players after they have retired from first-class cricket. An amendment to be brought before the special meeting contains the phrase “save in special circumstances .. . the member shall be retired from first-class cricket.” White said the amendment had been specially worded to give the M.C.C. committee the constitutional power it needs to honour the England captain after he comes home on May 9.

Naval Promotions Announced

LONDON, April 22. The First Sea Lord, Earl Mountbatten, has announced three new toprank naval promotions. Admiral Sir George Cressey, who was top planner for D-Day, will be Admiral of the Fleet. Vice-Admiral Sir Ralph Edwards, Who for a time was on loan to the New Zealand Navy and at present is Third Sea Lord, becomes an admiral. Rear-Admiral Leslie Brownfield, former commander of the aircraft carrier Implacable, becomes ViceAdmiraL Saiioopter for Queen's Flight.—A probably an American 555 built in Britain under licence, may soon be added to the Queen’s Flight, the “Daily Mail” said today. “The helicopter is a favourite of the Duke 'of Edinburgh and Princess Margaret,” the “Daily Mail” added.—London, April 20.