Constitution Hill

This photograph depicts the arrest of George Andrew McMahon in Constitution Hill at just after midday on Thursday 16th July 1936. A procession led by King Edward VIII was returning to Buckingham Palace from Hyde Park where the King had presented new Colours to six battalions of Guards, as he entered Constitution Hill from Constitution Arch, McMahon threw a loaded revolver at him from the rear of the crowd on the Green park side.

McMahon had a long history of grievances with the Police and was obviously paranoid, probably with some good reason. He had been convicted of the criminal libel of two Police Sergeants some years before, but the conviction was later quashed. He believed that his subsequent career had been and was being badly affected by the matter. He had written to the King and Home secretary and received no redress.

McMahon was charged with two offences of Treason and one with possession of a firearm with intent. He was convicted of the latter charge and served 12 months imprisonment. The Treason charges were dropped.

Done