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Science and the Spook – George Owen and Victor Sims

Mrs Cheverall, who lives alone, was kind enough to give an account of some experiences of her own very relevant to crisis telepathy and to the problem of auditory apparitions. On June 16th, 1965, she wrote to me as follows:

I've been reading in the Sunday Mirror of Poltergeist Terror, and that you have carried out investigations of uncanny situations. I would be so grateful, if you could explain the reason for the following:

On Friday the 4th last an old gentleman (88 years of age) went to Germany for a few days, not being sure when he left if it would be on the 7th or 8th when he would return again. I only know of him as a neighbour and sometimes it's weeks when I don't see him at all. Yet at about 9.15 on the 8th I heard a soft voice of a lady saying "Go to Arthur, he needs your help."

At first I thought the words had come from someone outside and again I could not remember anyone of that name.

The voice returned again with those same words. I'm not a stupid person, and I realised something strange was happening: so I started thinking and remembered that the old gentleman's name was Arthur Camp. As far as I knew he was in Germany.

The Voice kept on and I began to feel rather strange because I could not understand where the Voice was coming from. At 1 o'clock my little dog wanted to go out so I started to go out. When at my door, and about to close it, the Voice was sharp and said "Don't give up. Arthur needs your help."

Well, all during the morning I had knocked at Mr Camp's door but not a sound from his flat. But this time I not only knocked but shouted through the letter box. When, bless my soul, I heard Mr Camp say "Thank the Lord, Thank the Lord."

After a time he managed to unbolt his door and then told me that he had fallen on the 6th when attending Church service 9.15. He was very ill. I got a doctor, and he has today returned from Guy's hospital after being treated for a fractured shoulder and internal bleeding.

That Voice did not leave me alone and told me even to give him a cup of tea and when I had done so it said "Blessings be upon you."

I felt as if it was a good-bye and I've not heard it since. Do you think that the voice could have been a Poltergeist but a very kind one and helpful.

Thanking you, Yours most sincerely F M Cheverall

It was clear from Mrs Cheverall’s description that the voice seemed completely real to her. I therefore asked for more information on this point and enquired if, though a vivid impression, it was none the less heard in "the mind's ear”. Her reply was as follows:

Many thanks for answering my letter. I'm sure you will be pleased to know that the old gentleman Mr Arthur Camp is getting on fine. The doctors at Guy's Hospital say he is a wonderful old man. It will be a long time before they will know if he will get the full use of his arm. For me, it was an experience which I shall never forget. As for the kind of voice, the only way which I can describe it is by a tuning fork which a doctor uses to test a person's hearing, it's soft and clear but not loud; to me it was as if coming from a distance and it was a lady's voice. When I walked with the cup of tea towards the door it was almost as if the voice was coming from my kitchen window saying "Blessings upon you".

Never at any time was the voice near me; not even when the voice sounded angry and sharply said "Do not give up, Arthur needs your help." It was from the direction of Mr Camp's flat. I can assure you the voice was real not something from my thoughts or mind. I even looked around hoping to see something when the voice kept on repeating those words and I got so worked up that I spoke aloud and asked it to explain more, but it never once answered me and I've not heard any voice since.

Maybe one day someone will get the right answer, I know I shan't rest until I can learn more about this strange voice and from where it came.