Earl’s Heir in Street Brawl

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 780, 28 September 1929, Page 20

Earl’s Heir in Street Brawl

HO R D HOWARD OF EFFINGHAM, son and heir of the Earl of Effingham, appeared at Bow Street Police Court

recently charged with insulting behaviour during a scene outride the Forty Three Club at 1.45 a.m. Together with Ernest Miller, 52, labourer, of Windmill Street., Tottenham Court Road, Lord Howard, who is 23, was bound over in 40s to be of good behaviour for 12 months. When Lord Howard entered the dock he was asked by the gaoler to Five his name, and he replied, "Mr. Howard.” Asked by the magistrate (Mr.

Graham Campbell) if that was his proper description. Lord Howard said, "No,” and then gave his full title. Giving evidence. Lord Howard said he was a stockbroker at Sheffield. He went to the Forty Three Club with three friends. When they were leaving a woman tried to prevent him from entering a car. Hostile Crowd He started by being polite and asked her to go away, but she refused, and he removed her. Some men then struck at him and he struck back. A hostile crowd collected and the woman scratched his face. “I knocked down two men.” said Lord Howard. “I was not particular whom I hit as I realised they were all after me, and I believe one of them

was the man in the dock (Miller). At the same time I was hit on the back of the head by somebody and I fell down.

In reply to a question by Miller, Lord Howard said, “I was not desirous of hitting you. If you happened to be in the way of my fist when I was hitting the crowd it is your tough luck.”

The magistrate said it was quite clear there was disorder. He would deal with the case as an ordinary one of disorderly conduct in the street.

After leaving Lancing College, Sussex, Lord Howard worked aSF a packer in a warehouse. He went to Canada, where he became a garage mechanic, a store assistant, and an hotel clerk. He returned to England in 1925.