1939-03-13 — Page 11

THE CHINA MAIL, MARCH 13, 1939

H. K. PILOT HERO OF

PLANE

DISASTER

Preferred Death To Risking Boys' Lives

FOUR PERISH AS MACHINE STRIKES FLATS

Returning to his home in Freshfield-road, Queen's Park, Brighton, a grief-stricken chauffeur, Mr. R. L. Baigent, learned that an R.A.F. plane had hurtled into the back of his flat, burst into flames, and killed his attractive 28-year-old wife, Dorothy, and his two baby daughters.

NO "IT"

"No woman who got into Par liament and was not earnest about. her job, and tried any sex mon- sense would have been tolerated.”- Lady Astor told a meeting of wo- men in London..

"If one had tried any feminino wiles she would have been got out." Lady Astor added.

building collapsed.

in the building, which looked as if it had been shattered by bombs,

The bodies of the two children were found by Mr. Albert Eason, a labourer, of Somerset-street, Brighton, who was one of the first civilians to enter the blazing- building.

He told a reporter: "The build- ing blazed like a furnace, and the petrol tank exploded within second of hitting it.”

&

Miss Winifred Pinkstone, who lives nearby, said: "I heard a bodies of the four victims were re-very low. Then I heard a terrible dreadful noise, and, on rushing When the out, saw an R.AF. plane flying covered, they were charred almost crash, followed by a flash of flame beyond recognition.

and clouds of smoke.

The flats were occupied by the

TINY TOTS' LAST GAME

Earlier in the day, Mrs. Baigent was busy in Baigents and three other families. her kitchen. The two children, Gwen (aged four) and Audrey (aged two), sat near her, playing with their toys. Without warning, this peaceful little home was suddenly transformed into what one witness described as "a flaming volcano."

POLICEMAN HURT

"Scores of people rushed to the Mr. and Mrs. Leslie Strong and render any assistance

scene, but they were unable to eye-rushed out of the blazing building man jumped off a bus in an at- their two children, aged 10 and 12, of the terrific heat and smoke. A on account

and went to a neighbour's house.tempt to help the pilot, but nobody The plane was piloted by Ser-

The father then returned to try could get near the machine." geant William Edward Brun, of master and boys heard a crash.

Shortly afterwards the Scout- and save some of his belongings. Mrs. C. J. Cook, invalid occupant No. 19 Elementary and

Another mother, Mrs. Payne, of an adjoining flat, saw the crash Reserve The machine had struck a green- alsó managed to rush to safely through a mirror as she lay in her Flying Training School (headquar-house in Freshfield-road, bounded with her 3-year-old child. The bed. ters, Gatwick), who appeared to off, and embedded itself in the other occupants, Mr. and Mrs. W. get into difficulties in the fog wall of a long lów building, divid-Lakey, were not at home when the which shrouded the Race-hill, ed into four flats. Brighton's highest point.

crash came.. It is believed that he lost his lifeless than a moment the premises were

The petrol tank.exploded, and in As the bodies of the victims in trying to avoid what might have|were a blazing inferno.

taken from the wreckage, been an even greater disaster.

salvage men OUT OF THE MIST

A number of young men who baby toys floating in the water saw the remains of Mr. L. A. Truelock, a Scout-brigade, and then attempted to flames

the accident called the fire which had been poured on to the master, was on the nearby Downs rescue the pilot and the occupants tiny tots" last game.

- a tragic reminder of two with 45 boy Wolf Cubs when the of the flats. machine suddenly shot down out of the mist, apparently trying to land.

Seeing a group of people below him, the pilot climbed back into the mist. A few minutes later, the plane returned. Again it disappeared.* Had it landed, it might have mown down the whole scouting party.

Baw

"We went into every room we could,” said one of the men, "but could not reach the one from which the flames were bursting. We could hear the children screaming, but could do nothing. It was terrible.”.

Within a few seconds, flames were leaping 30 feet into the air. Ten minutes later, the roof of the

Forty-Three Classes In First Dog Show

THE STAGE IS NOW SET AND NEXT SUNDAY AT ST. JOHN'S PLACE THE CURTAIN WILL RISE ON A FUNC- TION WHICH THE ORGANISERS EXPECT TO BECOME. A PERMANENT ANNUAL FIXTURE-THE HONG KONG DOG SHOW.

the Dairy Farm

Entries have been eminently and by Messrs. satisfactory and it has been found Co., for the "Best Bitch of the necessary to segregate the entries | Show." into no fewer than 43 classes. while, in addition, there will be two classes for cats.

rings and judging will start at There will be three judging

"Best Dog of the Show" will be 11.30 a.m. It is hoped that the judged at 4.45 in the afternoon.¡

In order that entrants might have as many chances as possible, classifications have been so ar ranged that a dog is enabled tol The assistance of several local compete in three sections Thus experts, who have either bred or a Great Dane could be entered in judged dogs, has been obtained the "Great Dane" section, the and competitors may be assured "National" section and, if over that judging will be in competent soven years of age, in the hands, "Veteran” section.

An interesting class is +2...

Every facility for those attend- Opening will be availablé, Tiffins and Litter. In this has been entered teas will be in the hands of Cafe litters of Great Danes, Alsations, Wiseman and musical selections Thibetan Terriers and Japanese will be given in the course of the which will be offered for sale after day. the show.

Tickets can be obtained at the Silvor cups will be presented for gate. Prices are $1, children and winners of all classes; while chal-service-men 50 conta, and the pub- lenge cups have been presented lic are asked to give their by Mesara, Lane, Crawford, Ltd.,support. All proceeds will bo de- for the "Best Dog of the Show,"voted to the RSPCA.

aster but heard the screams of the "She not only witnessed the dis-

trapped people," said her husband. "It has quite unnerved her."

At the house in Wordsworth-

had lived for five years, a reporter road, Wallington, where the pilot

was informed that he was employ- ed in à stockbroker's office in the City.

Wordsworth-road, Wallington, died Reserve about 18 months ago. His

The pilot, whose home was at

He joined the RA.F. Volunteer in the cockpit of his machine. age was 22. It is believed he has

Except for the tail unit, the no whole of the plane embedded itself mother lives in Hong Kong,

relations in England, His

The famous

"GIRL"

BRAND BEER

BREWERY

ST PAULI

ST.

LAGER

BEER

BREMEN

PAULI GIRL

Brewed &

bottled in Bremen

Germany

Obtainable at all Wine Stores, and Hotels, &c. Sole Agents:

GANDE, PRICE & CO., LTD.

St. George's Building, Ice House

Tel. No. 20186