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Newspaper
Brisbane Courier Mail
Location
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Date
Dec 26, 1933
Page
3
In Lagny near Paris a Nancy express crashed into a stationary Paris Strasbourg train after delaying fog. 195 dead and 300 injured, with a grisly scene and improvised rescues as dawn neared. Cardinal Archbishop of Paris blessed 150 of the victims in Gare de l Est.
The report lists multiple European rail tragedies over recent decades and one in Britain, noting numerous deaths and injuries. Examples include a 120 killed Algerian derailment in Tl encen, a Paris Cherbourg derailment, Prague derailment, and British crashes at Gretna and Darlington. The sequence underscores recurring high casualties across rail accidents.
The account describes rescue work at a wrecked station with beacons, crowbars, and improvised stretchers. Ambulatory trains carried more than four injured to Paris as distraught relatives sought glimpses of loved ones and a headmaster’s hopeful report on a schoolboy victim is noted.
A sailor named Jean Ancel led rescue work after a disaster, feeding rescuers and clearing wreckage for 12 hours. He saved at least 13 lives and recounted a child’s desperate pleas and the sight of many dead. The minister of public works immediately went to the scene to supervise operations.
A Paris Co operative Stores director recalls the wrecking of a Nancy bound train. Passengers suffered horrific injuries as they tried to escape, with one man restrained during the panic. Toys scattered among debris belonged to boarding school children traveling home for the fall break.
A heavy fog halted rescue work as a Paris crane lifted a Strasbourg locomotive buried wreckage. The dead include Verdun Mayor Bee Schlester and ex Under Secretary Paul Morel. Deputy Henry Rollin died in hospital. Three deputies, including N Godvani, are seriously injured. Families perish. parents and three children lie in the Gare de Lest mortuary. Bishop of Meaux administers rites as soldiers from Meaux restore order.
In Paris after a 6.0.8 quake like incident, police ambulances and medical staff rushed to a scene as sightseers crowded the Gare de Est seeking news of relatives. Early reports say the railway will face about £1,260,000 in damages compensation.
Investigators proposed two theories for the Strasbourg Strasbourg Nancy crash. Either fog signals failed to work or the Strasbourger Myer engine driver could not see signals in thick fog. Some passengers recall fog signals exploding, but authorities suspect detonations occurred beneath cars or under the engine, preventing the driver and firemen from hearing them.
Police arrest driver Daubigny and fireman Char-Pentier after a crash with a stationary train. Speedometer showed 65 mph at impact. both men with long records and praised service. Prosecution cites defective signals for Daubigny’s locomotive. weather may have reversed it.
A fog and frost catastrophe halted incoming trains with drivers failing to see signals. A second express stopped 100 yards from wrecks after mistaking red lights for green. President Lebrun declared mourning and cancelled Christmas events and attended Gare de lEst funeral service.
A Mackay man aged 20 from Gordon Street drowned when a launch carrying seven aboard from Mackay to Seaview encountered a south easterly wind and heavy sea. Crew members Keith Andrew Ill and Ken Lanham, both aboard on holiday, attempted to reach shore for help before the lifeless body disappeared and was not recovered.
Two girls and a young man risked themselves to save two children swept out by a strong current at Sandgate. Lorna Cullum swam to aid Joyce Cullum and Don Bevan. Irene Jones and Lionel Stanford helped haul them to safety. All were cut by barnacles but injuries were not serious.
Stephen Mitchell and Sidney Mitchell of Thallon were charged with the murder of their brother Thomas Mitchell who died after an assault last Friday. Thomas was beaten during a quarrel, attended a dance, then fell seriously ill and died at Mungindi Hospital. A coroner's inquest led to formal murder charges and eight days of remand.
London reports rising wool prices as year end rosters reveal tighter supply prospects for next year. Demand strengthens in overseas markets with exports to Germany up, Bradford busy, and Continental futures firm. An experienced Bradford trader notes home demand could require 105,minus? 1,030,000 greasy wool more than 1941 imports.
At an Armenian Church in North America a priest was killed during mass by a knife attack as four suspects clashed with parishioners and police. The assailant struck four times, then the priest collapsed and died. chaos followed with police compelled from the scene. The motive tied to church schism after World War I and a dispute over allegiance to Soviet Russia.
Vatican City December 25. Pope condemns sterilisation as it was denounced in the previous country. He notes the encyclical Basti Corubii condemns the practice. His moderation surprises observers amid resumed Vatican Germany talks. Mass in private chapel attended by kin and a few prelates as bells ring in Christmas.
Floods hit Washington Oregon Idaho and British Columbia with thirteen deaths and thousands homeless. Fifteen towns inundated dozens of townships isolated by high water. Relief efforts hindered by broken railways though a forecast of lower temperatures offers hope as freezing may slow the floods.
Calcutta December 24 Jardine missing at first from MCC arrival. Inquiries show he boarded the Owniter and later joined the team for a civic welcome. He gave a brief speech and his conduct drew criticism from Indian reporters for abruptness.
Across the trackless seas and many lands the voices of Empire men shared Christmas greetings by radio last night. The King spoke from Sandringham as London showed early afternoon while it midnight elsewhere. From Scotland to Dominions overseas the broadcast united listeners in a prideful view of a connected Empire beyond the sun never setting.
The King offers heartfelt thanks and greetings to a world-wide family saying progress toward recovery continues. He credits science for shrinking distance, urges calm, mutual faith, and good will, wishing a peaceful Christmas to all, especially children, as the National Anthem plays.
London dispatch reports Mr W Crasford Greene M.P. is due to arrive by Imperial Airwave liner on Boxing Day after an Australian tour. The event highlights a notable charter flight linking continents with political travels in late December.
December report notes a push in Japan to reform the House of Peers and strip titles from the undeserving amid complaints of frivolity among peers and their wives. The peers remain the sole critics of the army and navy.
A chaotic scene at a train station unfolds as an orphaned boy with a bandaged head clings to a woman, while crowds learn of a indefinite train delay. Lord Apaley ends his India tour aboard the Spartan cruiser Faithful City, and is due in London soon as the Spartan seroplane completes a 32,000 mile journey, far exceeding typical charter reach.
London December 73 Signor Marconi told a Courier staffer he hopes to visit Australia but cannot now as he has returned to his Elettra to push further ultra short waves. He considers this the biggest problem before him yet remains hopeful. He declined plans to use wireless to down an enemy bomber.
December 26 marks Boxing Day from old English gift customs for servants. Notable birthdays include Dr. J C Bradfield and poet Thomas Gray. events cited include Gatton tragedy, boxing champion Jack Johnson, and St Sophia's dedication in 428. Also mentions kings and operas from December 24-26.
London reports the British Broadcasting Corporation held a minute’s silence during its 9 o’clock news broadcast to mourn the Lagny disaster victims and extend deepest sympathy to the bereaved. Berlin notes followed.
A fragmented page lists letters to the editor, law court notes, mail notices, and motor notes. It also references racing and other items with unclear details, indicating a general overview section of community notices and brief news snippets.
A 2 pm English time broadcast relayed via 4QG Brisbane and IFO Sydney across Australia. The program opened with Big Ben chimes, shared Christmas scenes from England, Scotland, and Ireland, then messages from the British Empire. It featured children in Birmingham and Glasgow, a Devonshire farmers party, and Welsh miner songs, celebrating Christmas in a global radio greeting.
The article portrays a lively stage scene with a Lancashire setting and a reflecting chorus. It notes a playful dialogue about gender roles and mentions songs like For She is a Lass from Lancashire and Come Back to. The sequence moves from Helford to Scotland’s west coast ending with a customary Hielan gather.
In Wales a mining scene under ground hosts a brewing amid machinery. Rugby radio station links voices with secrecy as an engineer explains operations with sound effects. A Northumberland lighthouse keeper sends wishes to light-keepers worldwide. The Christmas tale closes in Glacrow with a piano mime.
Rapid exchanges to Dublin began as Seot land and Wales sent greetings from England. People moved toward churches while Bermuda hosted visitors at golf links and beaches. Ottawa linked with New Zealand and Sydney Bombay Cape Town in the imperial chain, gun shining on Christmas afternoon.
Sydney dispatch explains Australia unites with the Empire in a Christmas message. Six and a half million Australians across wheat fields oranges orchards cattle plains and city centers send loyal greetings and reflect on a year of labor, inspiration from a 1900 year old bond, and forward resolve.
Seated at Sandringham his Majesty the King broadcasts the 9 Christmas address to his subjects across the Empire. Two microphones sit on the desk in Australian walnut with a red lamp flashing signaling readiness. The king speaks alone while others listen separately in another room.
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