FOOTBOARD FIGHT

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 550, 31 December 1928, Page 10

FOOTBOARD FIGHT

STRUGGLE ON EXPRESS TRAIN

“KING OF CAT BURGLARS”

“For services in connection with the attempted escape of a prisoner from an express train,” Princijul Officer John Stoves, of Pentonvfflt Prison, London, has been awarded the medal of the Civil Division of th 1 Order of the British Empire for g£ lan try. Behind this simple statement lies , dramatic story of a fight for life ant liberty on the footboard of a trai: travelling at nearly 70 miles an hour The Human Fly

The fight was between Stoves an: “The King of the Cat Burglars” or “The Human Fly,” variously know as George William Enright and “Jimmy” McCraig. McCraig was convicted at Newcastle on ouly 4 last, and sentenced to four years’ penal servitude.

It was when being taken from Lcdon to Newcastle that McCraig mac his desperate effort. He was in chan of two prison officers. Stoves and 1: other officecr named Lloyd. As the train was running at t speed through Selby, Yorkshire McCraig suddenly smashed a windc and climbed out on to the footboari Instantly Stoves clambered on r the footboard and flung himself 1 McCraig. Terrific Struggle There was a terrific struggle, ij which both men were compelled B keep their feet; it would have bee: instanL death for them to have falier as the express was still travelling f full speed. In this predicament if' eral bridges were passed, increase the danger of the struggling men. Meanwhile the second prison office' Lloyd, had pulled the communication cord, and the train slackened speei McCraig seized his chance, Kactually got both his feet off the fotr board in an attempt to jump fr liberty. But Stoves, a very powers man, held his prisoner by the sen: of the neck and brought him hack" the footboard.