Harold Davidson - Aftermath

Aftermath

With the loss of his clerical income, he went back to public entertainment, even before he had exhausted appeals. In September 1932 his appearance fasting in a barrel at Blackpool was advertised. The massed crowds at his exhibition caused an obstruction and the police arrested the promoter Luke Gannon for causing it, and Davidson for aiding and abetting him. Both had to give undertakings "that the barrel business with Mr Davidson will cease"; they were fined 40s. each.

However, Davidson's contact with the law was not entirely as the defendant; after his last service at Stiffkey he was assaulted by Major Philip Hamond, churchwarden at Morston and the man who had initiated the original complaint against Davidson. Davidson had called at Hamond's house, apparently to ask for a church key, but Hamond did not wish to speak to him and told him "Clear out, or I'll kick you out!". Hamond then kicked the Rector off the step, stating at the Magistrates' court that it was "a kick of finality and contempt". Hamond also kicked a companion of Davidson's, Clinton Gray-Fisk. He was convicted of two counts of assault and fined 20 shillings on each plus the court costs. Local legend states that Hamond received many letters from sympathisers paying part of his fine, and that one enclosed a packet of hobnails with a request that he put those into the soles of his boots for next time.

Davidson then went to Blackpool to live off his notoriety. He would appear either in a barrel or being apparently roasted in an oven while a figure dressed as a devil prodded him with a pitchfork. In August 1935 he was summonsed again, this time by Blackpool Corporation, for attempting suicide by fasting – an entertainment again promoted by Gannon. Davidson appeared in court in ecclesiastical robes, described as "an ex-clergyman of no fixed abode". This time, however, he was found not guilty: the court did not believe that he was intending to take his life. He then successfully sued the Blackpool Corporation for false arrest and malicious prosecution and was awarded £382 in damages. Late in 1936 he was fined for trespassing on Victoria Station. On 20 July 1937 he was arrested by two policemen after exiting a lion's cage, for not paying the fine and was subsequently given 15 days to pay £7 8s.