INSIDE THREE-PENNY PIECE.

Shannon News, 27 May 1924, Page 4

INSIDE THREE-PENNY PIECE.

LORD’S PRAYER INSCRIBED,

"The Lord’s Prayer in a sixpence? Why I can write it inside a threepenny piece!” And Sergeant R. Getliff, late of the 61st Foot, and now of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, legibly inscribed the Lord’s Prayer within the prescribed space and presented it to a, newspaper representative in London. Sergt. Getciff, who is seventy-eight, explained how he developed his remarkable penmanship. Twelve years ago, walking near Victoria Station, he was accosted by a constable with the challenge, "I want you! You’re supposed to be a very fine penman, and I’m the best penman of our division. Can you write the Lord's Prayer within the Circle of a sixpence?. The Sergeant replied, "I think so,” and he did The constable failed, and according to one condition of the contest, never allows tfie old man to pass him, even nowadays, without the salute.

Sergeant Getliff was not content. He was determined .to get the Prayer inscribed within a three-penny piece and the Creed within the dimensions ’’of a Id postage stamp. In both he has succeeded. There is not a Dominion without a copy of Sergeant Gctlil'f's handiwork —Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa—-they all have them, and as, for a small consideration, he disposes of a hundred copies a year, he is able to add materially to his comforts. “Many distinguished officers and their ladies,” he tells you proudly, ‘‘have copies of my penmanship.” Sergeant Getliff has been twelve years in the Hospital.