London evening Gazette. 17 November 1945.
Customers at the Local Black Bull Bank were left mystified when a hooded figure stopped three bank robbers. The Manger, a Mr Selwyn Roberts, said: "He came out of nowhere, I can't believe it. One minute we were being robbed the next I'm shaking hands with a masked guy calling himself The Darknight. Am I confused? You bet, but I'm also grateful."
South London Press. November 23, 1945.
Police have confirmed that the masked Avenger calling himself Darknight did indeed stop a young child Bobby Shankes, age 7, from being kidnapped. The assailant, a man named William Douglas Whitey, was found head first in a rubbish bin. Police have said they do not condone vigilante actions.
Islington Press. December 12, 1945.
Christmas shoppers were left wide mouthed when they claim they saw a dark figure jumping across the roof tops. A Miss Margret Backfields said, "It was Darknight, I'd know that shape anywhere. I once saw him throw that rogue Fred North into the dock. That Darknight, he's the Guardian of all London if I do say so myself. Mark my words, that fella's a hero."
Pall Mall Post. December 23, 1945.
Police this evening have released this report. On the night of December 22, Police Officers were called to a disturbance in Oakfield street South London. Two officers went to the address and saw a masked man they believe to be called Darknight leaving the scene rapidly. Inside the house they found tied and gagged the entire Rag Tag Mob. A local gang that have been terrorising the South end for months. When pressed, Chief Inspector King stated that the London metropolitan police do not condone vigilante actions.
London evening Gazette. Jan 7, 1946.
Shots were heard last night as a group of Chinese works rioted with south end Dockers over wages. The disturbance only ended when the masked Vigilante Darknight intervened. Witnesses reported he told both gangs that if there was any more trouble, he would shoot them all in the kneecaps. The rioters soon fled.
Clapham News January 19 1946.
Today in the High Court, burglar Harry Fields was finally sentenced to 8 years behind bars after countless burglaries throughout London. He said in the dock. "In all my days, I never had been so scared as when Darknight caught me when I tried to do a little early morning shopping in Harrods." Outside, Chief Inspector King was asked why it took a masked man to catch the notorious burglar and not the police. He had no comment except that "the London metropolitan police do not condone vigilante actions."
Moring Post. Feb 13, 1946.
Commuters on the number 23 bus today were thankful for Darknight as Ronald Hawthorne the driver suffered a major heart attack. "I just felt this massive pain in my chest and I let go of the steering wheel. But before I knew anything, Darknight had jumped on the side of the bus, reached in and took control of the bus. But the craziest thing of all, is he drove the bus to the local hospital where they rushed me straight in. I owe him my life.
London daily News. March 2, 1946.
Fire fighters today proclaimed Darknight a city hero and called for him to be exempt of prosecution. Fire Chief Harry Dupree said that "Without him dozens of people who be dead. He has the strength of a horse. I saw with my own eyes him carrying five people on his back down our ladder. In our eyes, he's a hero of this city."
Islington Press. March 17, 1946.
Chief Inspector King today sent this statement to Fleet Street to be printed in all of London's News Papers. "I want to thank Darknight for his brave work. Countless times I've had reports come across my desk from officers saying how Darknight had helped the police or how he had defended the weak. Countless criminals are now behind bars because of his actions. In truth, we need him. He is a shining hope for this City. A hero like no other and one I am now glad to call a friend."
These are just some of the clippings I kept when I first started. You may be wondering about the last one. Well the truth is the good Chief Inspector King was a bent copper he was running a protection racket.
I caught him red handed on a rainy night in Soho. He was smacking around a night club owner. He didn't see a thing till I got him on top of a nearby roof. Like all cowards, he screamed like a baby when he saw the view.
We came to a little deal; he backs off from me, I keep quiet about his sideline business. I waited till the statement was printed in the newspapers, then I broke into his house and shattered both his kneecaps. If there's one thing I hate, it's bent coppers.
He never worked again but I did. I was now the guardian of London and I loved it.