On the evening of February 1, 1940, Central Station received a message that an armed robbery was in progress at 14/449 Peking Road and a party of Police attended under DSI. Moir who, realizing that the robbers were still on the premises and that the situation was likely to become serious, immediately telephoned for re-inforcements and the Reserve Unit. An exceedingly quick response was made and the entire area was cordoned off and intensive search parties instituted. The night was dark and the weather most inclement.
On receipt of certain information a party consisting of DSI. Moir, F. S. Cooke, C.D.Cs. 157 and 208 and "P.C. 2041 proceeded cautiously up some back stairs to the upper rooms where, upon C.D.C. 157 kicking open one of the doors, the party was met by a fusillade of shots from the concealed robbers. The Police party took cover in a bed room whilst the two C.D.Cs. returned to the ground floor for more ammunition. The gang of armed men thereupon pursued DSI, Moir's party into the bed Toom and opened fire at point blank range, all three officers returned the fire and for a few seconds a fierce battle ensued with the robbers fung in all directions.
Tt was during this encounter that DSL Moir was hit in the arm whilst F. S. Cooke was wounded in the chest, and the party, realizing that they were out-numbered and that. their retreat was cut off, took cover by lying flat on the floor to await the arrival of a rescue squad. Eventually a party consisting of D. S. Jones, F. P. S. Schaie and C.D.C. 157 who, it will be recalled, had gone down for more ammunition proceeded to the upper rooms and managed to evacuate D. S. I. Moir and F. S.
Cooke, the latter being faint from loss of blood. C.P.C. 2041 remained on the spot to cover any further activities of the robbers.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.