THE DAPPER "V.C."

Evening Star, Issue 18334, 23 July 1923, Page 8

THE DAPPER "V.C."

SYDNEY SOCIETY VICTIMISED. For soma weeks past (writes the Auckland 1 Star’s ’ correspondent on July 13) a clapper young man clad in the uniform of a captain of tho Air Force, and wearing numerous decorations, has been moving about some of Sydney’s suburbs representing himself to be Captain Davies, V.C., Croix do Guerre, and an officer of the Air Force. Not for a moment did anyone doubt him, and before long he became engaged to a prominent young lady in Sydney’s social world, lie lias been moving about, it is alleged, collecting money for soldiers’ memorial hail funds.

This week, however, the police interviewed the man, and he appeared at the Sydney Police Court charged with having received money under authority requiring him to account for it to the secretary of the Mosnian Memorial Hall Committee, and, further, with having fraudulently omitted to pay the money to the secretary. His name was given as Edgar William Melsorn, aged twenty-eight. The police, in evidence, said that they told accused that they were inquiring about his credentials as Captain Davies, of the Air Forces. He replied: “ I was expecting this; I will tell you the truth. My correct name is Edgar William Melsorn. I had no authority to wear the uniform or the decorations.’’ He then produced his uniform, _ which was that of a captain of the Air Forces. _ Attached to it was a miniature Victoria Cross, the Croix de Guerre, and several other military decorations.

Further questioned by the police, accused is alleged to have admitted having collected £22. and subsequently . £34 13s 5(1, on behalf of war memorial funds. Ho had spent tho money. Three women, all widows, gave evidence of accused having called on them and represented himself as Captain Davies. Ho collected money from them, and gave them receipts which ho said entitled them to so many bricks in tho war memorial building. Pie attended a memorial hall committee meeting, said one witness, where ho introduced himself as Captain Davies, of tho Royal Air Forces, and said ho had just come from Melbourne, where ho had assisted in the building of a memorial hall at Kew. When accused asked permission to keep in the movement, witness questioned him whether anybody knew him. Accused replied: “ Yes, a young lady in Mosman knows me. I am engaged to be married to her.” Melsorn was committed for trial, bail 1 being allowed.