STORMS IN BRITAIN TURN GUY FAWKES EXPLOSIONS INTO “PHUTS”

Grey River Argus, 7 November 1949, Page 3

S TORMS IN BRITAIN TURN GUY FAWKES EXPLOSIONS INTO “PHUTS”

(Rec 7.30) LOINDON, Nov 6. Gales and heavy rain caused most of Britain's Guy Fawkes celebrations to go off with a damp squib-like “phut” on Saturday. Most parents made their children accelerate thenfireworks programme so that they could get back indoors to their fires. Oxford had tne roughest celebration for many years, with students trying to overturn cars and motor coaches, and throwing buckets of water over crowds. The police took a number of names. Gale warnings were issued on Saturday for all arear in the British. Isles. The gale prevented the liner ‘‘‘Queen Mary” from dry-docking at Southampton for her annual overhaul. Explosion at Officers’ Mess Not a “Phut” (Rec. 9.15). LONDON, November 5. A soldier has been arrested, following on an explosion, last night, of what is believed to have been a phosphorous bomb in the anti-aircraft signals officers’ mess at Barnet, in Hertfordshire. Five officers and three others were treated at hospital, and they later wer c allowed to go home. When the bomb exploded, the officers and their wives were holding a Guy Fawkes dinner party. The mess burst into flames. The fire was brought under control. It is allegd that the bomb was thrown through a window of a room adjoining the mess. It is believed that the bomb was mistaken for a smoke bomb.