SIGNED UP CIVILIANS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 92, 10 February 1947, Page 5

SIGNED UP CIVILIANS

“SECRET SERVICE” AIRCRAFTSMAN CHARGED A 35 year old R.A.F. man was alleged at Bow Street to have told four civilians that they had been appointed “members of the Secret Service.” The prosecution also alleged that he has told one of them that he had married her by proxy. The man was Leading Aircraftsman Frederick Clynes, accused of obtaining £IOO by false pretences from Albert Charles Murray, Ellen Ashby, Mrs Gwendoline Murphy and Harry Mason. He was committed for trial.

Mr M. J. Jardine, prosecuting, said Clynes and Miss Ashby became engaged last year. He told her he was in the R.A.F. secret service under Lord Portal, and persuaded her to sign an “agreement” to become a member of the same service. At Christmas he told her they had been married by proxy, and they moved, with her father, to a house in Tachbrook Street, Pimlico, S.W., at which Mrs Mason is housekeeper. “In due course,” said Mr Jardine “they all became members of the secret service, and received considerable correspondence, purporting to be from Lord Portal. “Mrs Mason (who was then Mrs Reece) was offered a post as manageress of a chain of hotels, which Clynes said Lord Portal was about to start.

“On the strength of this, MiMason gave up a job at Birmingham and married her.” The charges, said Mr Jardine, were representative of much larger sums which Clynes borrowed. Miss Ashby said many letters purporting to be signed by Lord Portal were received telling them not to ask too many questions. Mr Albert Charles Murphy, an electrician’s mate, said he was offered a job as special messenger in the Atomic Commission at £ls a week and £5 a week expenses. Clynes afterwards borrowed £6 from him.