REVOLVER INCIDENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 18 July 1936, Page 7

REVOLVER INCIDENT

ASSAILANT AN IRISHMAN REAL NAME JEROME BANNIGAN GRIEVANCE AGAINST THE POLICE (United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) (Received 18th July, 9.15 a.m.) LONDON, 17th July. McMahon, who pointed a revolver at the King at Hyde Park Corner, is an Irishman, whose real name is Jerome Bannigan. He was born at Cookston. County Tyrone. His parents are now living in the Govan district, Glasgow. Both are aged nearly 80. The father said: “We have not seen Jerome for ten years.” Another son is a Roman Catholic priest in Dublin. The “News Chronicle” understands that McMahon had a grievance against the police and had written many letters of complaint to Scotland Yard. He has been living with his wife in a one-roomed flat in a basement at Westbourne Terrace for the past three years. Neighbours describe McMahon as a man with a pleasant manner and devoted to his wife. The “Daily Mail” says McMahon edited various pamphlets and periodicals. A resident said: “Many of us knew McMahon when he went about in a frock coat. He gave the impression that he was a literary man of some importance. He kept a herbalist s shop at Nottinghill for a time. I understand he was a student in the Dublin University and got the B.A. degree there. He is a champion of lost causes.” Lieutenant-Colonel Sir Percy Laurie Assistant-Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, officially telegraphed thanking Constable Dick for his promptitude and bravery in knocking the revolver from the hand of McMahon. British and Continental newspapers unite in expressions of profound relief at the King’s safety. TRUST ABUNDANTLY JUSTIFIED “The Times” says “For generations the practice of Sovereigns of England has been to move among the people unsurrounded by apparatus for protection, but trusting to the love and loyalty of their subjects. The King yesterday was riding at the head of his armed forces unencircled by their bayonets. This trust has been abundantly justified, and though incidents such as yesterdays have occurred several times in the past century, they have not been allowed to • diminish it.” WHO KNOCKED THE REVOLVER? While several accounts credit a woman with dispossessing McMahon of his revolver, the “Daily Mail” prints a personal account of “the man who achieved fame in a few seconds” by knocking the revolver out of the hand of the alleged assailant. He is Anthony Gordon Dick, aged 36 years, a commercial traveller for a firm of French polishers. He is strongly built, and is a former Naval stoker. Dick said: “I was on duty as a special constable near the Wellington Arch standing with my back to the crowd as the King rode toward us. The crowd, cheering loudly, swayed and billowed behind me. I felt like cheering myself. I looked half to the left, then half to the right. There quite near me was a man with a gleaming revolver in his hand. I lunged forward, striking blindly at the weapon and it sailed through the air. I closed with the man apd got him round the neck and held him as tight as I could. He shrieked, ‘Good heavens, don’t strangle me.’ I was joined by other officers, but not before I had a sharp tussle. Look! (and Dick pulled up his trousering and showed a bruised shin and also indicated his right arm, which was lacerated by sharp finger nails). Well, that is all in the day’s work. I only did what any other special would have done, but I thanked my lucky stars for the naval training that gave me just that extra quickness needed.” Mrs Dick says: “Tony told me: ‘lt was just my luck it was me. Anybody would have done the same.’ But I am so proud he acted so.” The audience at several London theatres joined in singing the National Anthem before the performances.

HERO OF THE HOUR

SPECIAL CONSTABLE DICK PILES OF LETTERS AND TELEGRAMS (Received 18th July, 10.0 a.m.) LONDON, 17th July. The King carried out his usual business to-day, receiving the Duke of Norfolk about the Coronation arrangements; also the Duke of York. Special Constable Dick was kept awake all night answering newspapermen and people eager to see the man who sprung into fame by the work of a few seconds. An evergrowing pile of letters and telegrams is pouring into his home. Everywhere he goes his hand is warmly shaken. All work at his place of employment was held up temporarily while his colleagues offered congratulations. - Dick was overwhelmed and finally his employers sent him away for several days until the excitement wanes. POLICE ATTEMPT TO LOCATE McMAIION It is revealed that the police attempted to get into touch with McMahon on Wednesday, an officer calling at his home at 9 a.m., but he had already left. The reason for the police visit was not disclosed, but it is believed to be connected with a communication from McMahon to the Home Office. Special officers searched for McMahon among the crowd at Wellington Arch immediately before the incident. They had received letters about McMahon and had been told by Mrs Van der Elst that he had a revolver. Mrs Van der Elst said: “I first came

in contact with McMahon when I was fighting a by-election. I met him only casually, but onVe during the election he became a little obstreperous and was ejected from the committee room.” OPINION IN EUROPE STUPID GESTURE OF UNBALANCED MAN (Received 18th July, 9.15 a.m.) PARIS, 17th July. “Le Petit Journal” describes the McMahon incident as the stupid gesture of an unbalanced man, perhaps impelled by a morbid desire for publicity. “Le Petit Parisien” declares it was not an attack but the gesture of a madman. The entire press considers that the reactions show how deeply attached Britain is to the Royal Family. ROME, 17th July. “Giornale d'ltalia” declares the act wicked and insane. THE POPE’S SATISFACTION (Received 18th July, 10 a.m.) ROME, 17th July. The Pope sent a message expressing satisfaction at the King’s safety. MESSAGE FROM LORD GALWAY WELLINGTON, This Day. The Governor-General, Lord Galway, has sent the following telegram to the King: “Your Majesty’s Government and the people of New Zealand, with whom my wife and I desire to associate ourselves* wish to express to Your Majesty our profound sympathy in respect to yesterday’s occurrences; and our sense of extreme thankfulness that the incident led to no serious results.”