WAR ACE'S PLIGHT.
NEITHER WORK NOR INCOME. TAUNTED INTO FREAK FLIGHT LONDON, Oct. 16. Major Draper, who won three decorations in the Great War as leader of • famous air squadron in. France, was bound over in the sum of £IOO for flying a monoplane between the towers of the Tower Bridge twice and thence swooping down and flying under Westminster Bridge. These were feats of very great skill, but they were illegal. Behind the case is a pathetic aspect. The famous ace is down to one meal a day and absolutely without income. Foolishly he was worried by the taunt of so-called friends that he had become soft. When the charge was proved defendant begged the Bench to believe that he had not been actuated by any desire for cheap notoriety. Ho had not flown for nine years and had vainly sought an aviation position. Secretly he was worried by the accusation of softness. He hired the monoplane on a borrowed £5 note and took his life in his hands to convince himself that the theory was wrong. The magistrate said he had intended to fine defendant £IOO, but he bound him over after hearing his story."
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21007, 19 October 1931, Page 7
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197WAR ACE'S PLIGHT. New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 21007, 19 October 1931, Page 7
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