The Stone That binds The Commonwealth In December 1950, a few days before Christmas, the four students from Glasgow drove to London in two Ford Anglias, a journey which took them eighteen hours.[5] On arrival in London they had a brief meeting at Lyons Corner House and decided to make an immediate attempt at removing the Stone from the Abbey.[1] Later that day Ian Hamilton hid under a trolley in the Abbey, but was caught by a nightwatchman after the Abbey doors had been closed, briefly questioned, and then let go.[1]

The following day Vernon and Stuart returned to Westminster Abbey and learned some information on the watchmen's shifts.[1] In the middle of that night, the three men entered a works yard and gained entrance into Poet's Corner.[1] Reaching the Chapel containing the tomb of Edward I and King Edward's Chair, they pulled down the barrier.[1] On removing the Stone from under the Chair, it crashed to the floor and broke into two pieces[1] The three men, using Hamilton's coat, dragged the larger piece down the high altar steps, then Hamilton took the smaller piece to one of the cars waiting outside.[1]

Ian Hamilton placed the small piece of Stone in the boot of the car and got into the passenger seat.[1] As he did this, Kay Matheson noticed a policeman in the gaslight; Hamilton and Matheson immediately fell into a lovers' clinch.[1] The policeman stopped and the three proceeded to have a conversation even though it was 5 A.M.[1] Having shared some jokes and a cigarette Matheson and Hamilton drove off to Victoria, Hamilton getting out on the way to walk back to the Abbey.[1]