Intruder In Queen Mary’s Home Stabs Two Women

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXVII, Issue 23289, 26 June 1950, Page 5

Intruder In Queen Mary’s Home Stabs Two Women

(10 a.m.)

LONDON. June 25,

While Queen Mary was asleep on Saturday night in Marlborough House, an elderly housekeeper and an assistant were stabbed in a struggle with an intruder.

The man entered the house through a window —the Wren mansion in the Mall is only a few minutes’ walk from Buckingham Palace—shortly after midnight.

He appeared in the room of Mrs. Alice Knight, the housekeeper, and attacked her when she challenged him. He stabbed her with a penknife when she screamed and struggled. The assistant housekeeper, Mrs. Winifred Ralph, rushed to her aid.

Lord Claud Hamilton, the 61-year-old Controller of Queen Mary’s Household, led a room-by-room search and later found a man hiding in a recess in the basement. Seriously Injured

The two housekeepers, after treatment by a doctor, were taken to hospital. ' Mrs. Knight, who had injuries to her head, shoulders and arms was officially stated to be seriously injured.

Mrs. Ralph has a slight head injury and suffered shock but her condition is not serious.

The alarm was raised when a policeman on the beat in the Mall saw a man on the roof of Marlborough House.

Queen Mary was not disturbed but was informed this morning of all that had occurred. Apparently the man did not enter the State apartments or the private apartments of Queen Mary.

Marlborough House contains a great many valuable art treasures, the personal property of Queen Mary, including antiques and presents given to herself and King George V during the Delhi Dunbar and also.a great part of her famous collection of jade and King George's collection of snuff boxes.

Gardener Charged

Later a 2G-year-old gardener was charged with assaulting the housekeeper with intent to rob while armed with an offensive weapon. He will appear at Bow Street on Monday. Men of the third battalion of the Grenadier Guards provided the normal military guard for Marlborough House during Saturday night. One sentry in full dress uniform with a rifle and fixed bayonet was at his post at the Pall Mall entrance while the second patrolled the grounds. They were part of a 12-man guard provided for Marlborough House and the neighbouring Saint James’ Palace. The facts of the attack were communicated to His Majesty at Buckingham Palace this morning. A special conference was called during the morning by Sir John NottBower, acting Commissioner at Scotland Yard, to discuss security arrangements at Marlborough House.