DAPPER YOUNG “V-C.”

Greymouth Evening Star, 25 July 1923, Page 7

DAPPER YOUNG “V-C.”

STIRS SYDNEY SOCIETY. SYDNEY, July 15. For some weeks past, a dapper young man clad in the uniform oi a captain of the Air Force, , and wearing numerous decorations, has been moving about some of Sydney’s suburbs representing himself to be Captain Davies \ .C., Uroix de Guerre, and an officer of the. Air I 1 orces. 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 has been moving about, it is alleged, collecting money for soldiers’ memorial hall 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 lor it to the. secretary of the Mosman Memorial Hall Committee, and, further with having fraudulently omitted to pay the money to the secretary. His name was give.n as Edgar Vvilliam Melsom, aged 28. The police in evidence, said that they told accused that they were quiring about his credentials as Captain Davies of the Air Forces. He replied: “I was expecting this; 1 will tell you the truth. My correct name, is Edgar William Melsom. 1* 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 decoration.

Further questioned by the police, accused is alleged to have admitted having collected £22 and subsequently £54 15s 5d on behalf of war memorial funds. He had spent the money. Three women, all widows, gave evidence oi accused having called on them and represented himself as Captain Davies. He collected money from them and gave them receipts which he said entitled them lo so many bricks in “the war memorial building.

lie attended a memorial hall committee meeting, said one witness, where lie introduced ■ himself as Captain Davies of the Royal Air Forces, ami said be had just come from Melbourne where Im hail assisted in the building ~f ;l memorial hall at Kew. \\ hen accused asked permission to keep m (!io movement, witness questioned him wlmtlmr anybody knew him. Accused r- plied : “Yes, a young lady in Mosman knows mo. I am engaged to lie married to her.” . Alelsom was committed for trial, bail b- ing allowed.