MYSTERY MAN

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 36, 13 February 1939, Page 10

MYSTERY MAN

LOST HIS MEMORY TALKS OF NOVEL HOSPITAL TREATMENT. LONDON, Jan. 14. Doctors in the Surrey County Coun cil Institution at Grove Road, Rich mond, trying to restore the memor; of a man admitted during (he week end, are prescribing special books an< pictures as part of the treatment. Last night a reporter saw thi “patient” sitting up in bed reading ; red-backed novel. "The Airman's Pro gress”—for the doctors believe tha he was in some way connected will aviation. They hope to jog his lapsed memor; in this way, and, as far as the patien can stir the chords of memory, he i able to confirm their view. The mystery man walked ini Barnes Police Station during th week-end wearing a mackintosh ovc a grey sports coat and grey flanne trousers. Aged about 35, he has light brow: hair and a brown military-cut mou.tache. In his pockets were just broken watch and a small glees c:is< "Once in Uniform.” Doctors plied him with question; particularly about north eountr towns, as his accent is definitely no ot the south. Then they handed htr a newspaper. His eyes fixed on the picture of th record-breaking R.A.F. bombers. 11 spoke of the "prop"- the airman way of referring to the propeller and described many features of t h machine in technical terms. He coul not say even whether he had eve been in the R.A.F., but now he rc members having been in uniform. In quiet, cultured tones, he said I the reporter; "I can’t remember thing. I don't, know whether I'r married or single, where I'm from o how I got to Barnes. It is a dreadfu thing altogether. “My hands show me that I didn't <1 hard work. I cannot explain it. bu somehow when I read about machine and aeroplane engines I feel that know all about them. Yet if you as me details I can't give them. "In the same way I have a vagu feeling that at some lime I was i uniform. Books of the kind I at reading may help me if no one come forward to recognise me and lift th veil from my memory.” He showed me a scar on his hea< said that it hurt him a little. “It ma have something to do with my loss < memory.” he said.