Gratitude Drama

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 7250, 1 September 1933, Page 3

Gratitude Drama

INJURED GIRL’S THANKS WORKLESS MAM’S AID la a ward of St. George’s Hospital, London, a few weeks ago, a Daily Mail reporter witnessed a dramatic meeting between a seriously injured girl and a workless man who rendered first aid to her after a motor car collision near Buckingham palace the previous night. Mr Frederick A. Hennessey, of Edyware, Middlesex, after a crash in which four men and two women were injured, tore off his shirt to provide bandages. He also applied iodine to tko injuries of Miss Peggy Lamert, aged twenty-two, daughter of Mr. Lamert, chairman of London mercantile company. Smelling salts which Hennessey carried with him were offered to the other injured persons, who included Mr. John Lawrence aged Twenty-six, son of Sir Alexander Lawerence, Bart formerely Chief Assistant-Solicitor to the Treasury. In spite of injuries, Miss Lamert next day expressed a desire to meet Mr. Hennessey. The latter’s wife had beon out during the morning earning half a crown to buy food for their four children, and ho had stayed at home watching tho youngest child, a boy of four, who had whooping cough. He refused to take money for his fare to London, and when he was interviewed he was starting his ten-mile tramp from home to the hospital. Mr. Hennessey saiu he was discharged from the Navy in 1917 disabled in one arm. He had no pension, and for years has been working spasmodically on temporary jobs. For three months he had done nothing except walk on an average twenty miles a day in search of work. .Ho got 30s unemployment pay each week. “I have been able to help in a great many motor accidents, ’ ’ Mr. Hennessey said, because I often see them during my wanderings. I inherited from my Lather a habit of always carrying smell ing salts and iodine, aond I had firstaid training in the Navy. “I hate to appear a beggar; I hate to draw tho dole, and I should not go to this hospital to-day except for tho fact that the young woman insisted tnat I should visit her.” Hennessey wore a borrowed suit and shirt. When he entered the hospital ward Miss Lamert, her head and face in bandages, raised herseii on one arm held out a hand, and said: “Are you the man? You’re brave. You did a lot for me, and I want to thank you for all you did and for coming here.” “I want to help you,” Miss Lemerfc said to Mr Hennessey. 4 4 Tell me all about yourself and your home.” He told the story of his search for work, his shortage of food, and the sufferings of his wife and children. Miss Lamert turned to the reporter and said: “Take Mr Hennessey to a telephone. Ring up my father and tell him that I have sent him along. Some thing has to be done for that baby. lam helpess lying here, or I would take Mm along myself.” Then she made Mr Hennessey promise to visit her again. Mr Lamert warmly thanked Mr Hennessey for his help when he arrived at Ms house. He had a long talk with him, and promised to try to find Mm employment. Mr. Lamert entertained Mr Hennessey to a meal, and made b gift to him to pay for medical attent* ion for his child.