KNIGHTHOOD HOAX.

Northern Advocate, 4 June 1920, Page 1

KNIGHTHOOD HOAX.

JOKER'S NINE 0.8.E.'5,

An extraordinary hoax on weilknown South Lincolnshire agriculturists and public men in connection with an alleged award of honours was exposed by a telegram from Lord Stamfordham,- the King's private secretary.

According to letters embossed with the Royal Arms, headed "Buckingham Palace," and purporting to be signed by Lord Stamfordham, a knighthood had been • conferred, on a farmer and the 0.8. E. on nine other local residents. »

The letter received by the farmer was:—r

"Buckingham Palace, "Monday, March 15, 1920.

"Sir,—

"I am commanded by the King to inform you that his Majesty has been pleased to approve of the award to you of the honour of Knighthood in recognition of your services to agriculture during the late war. "(Further particulars will be forwarded. "I have the honour to be, sir, 1 "Your obedient servant, "Stamfordh'am." Congratulations were showered on the supposed recipients. Later, however, doubt was thrown on the authenticity of the letters owing to the wording, and in reply to a request for confirmation of the awards the following telegram was received from Lord Stamfordham: "Have no knowledge of the matter referred to in your telegram. No letters with regard to honours have been signed by me.—iStamfordham." LETTER FROM THE JOKER, The practical joker has-since sent the following letter to a Spalding newspaper office:— Being the last time I shall attend Spalding market before going co the Colonies I thought I would like to express my appreciation of the manner in which the local celebrities received their titles and orders which I sent them. Hoping the town will enjoy it as much as the Belgian V.C. hoax, I have the honour to be, sir, your obedient servant, Henry Orwell. The letter hears the Royals Arms and is dated from Buckingham Palace 1 . The Belgian V.'C. hoax relates to an incident, early in the war, when the town was hoaxed as to a bogus honour,