Page 50 - Top Cover Issue 9

50 TOP COVER ISSUE 9

HISTORY

All obsolete pistols in the Met that Constable John Cruickshank (Durham) The Mold Riot. Miners at the The Gun Licence Act. The first
had been acquired either as a direct is shot and killed by an ex-constable, Leeswood Green Colliery in Flintshire firearms legislation is introduced
purchase or inherited from groups David Paton, against whom he had in Wales have a grievance against the requiring that: ‘Every person who shall
as they were brought under the given evidence resulting in him manager, John Young, and ransack his use or carry a gun, or other firearm,
Met commissioners are collected being dismissed from the force. Paton house. Seven men are arrested and elsewhere than in a dwelling house
in. Percussion revolvers (probably commits suicide. stand trial at Mold Magistrates Court. or curtilage thereof, without having
Beaumont-Adams) are temporarily Detective Sergeant James Kemp The Chief Constable of Flintshire in force a licence duly granted under
issued in their place. Left – Beaumont (Northampton Borough) is going home County Constabulary, Captain Peter this Act [available at any post office
Adams percussion ‘cap and ball’ off duty when he tries to arrest an Browne, orders a full turn-out of his at a cost of 10/- (50p)] shall forfeit the
revolver. armed man. He is shot and killed. In men and the assistance of the second sum of ten pounds’. An exemption is
1869 William Bridgewater is sentenced battalion, 4th Regiment, The King’s provided for ‘any person in the naval,
to twenty years penal servitude for Own, from Chester Castle. Two men military, or volunteer service of Her
manslaughter. are sentenced to a month’s hard labour Majesty, or in the constabulary or
Adams Breech Loading Revolvers but as they reach the railway station other police force, using or carrying
are supplied by the Tower of London for transport to Flint Castle prison the any gun in the performance of his duty,
for issue to Met police stations. Left – escort is attacked by a mob throwing or when engaged in target practice’. It is
Adams revolver. missiles. The soldiers open fire killing intended as a revenue measure to raise
The Chief Constable of four people and wounding many more. ‘the necessary supplies to defray Your
Caernarvonshire in Wales is told by Majesty’s [Queen Victoria’s] public
his watch committee to apply for six expenses’.
revolvers and 250 rounds of ammunition
from the Board of Ordnance.

1866 1868 1869 1870

1867 1871

In February, fearing an attack on of the occasion … Firearms should be sent. These officers are ‘issued with Constable Benjamin Snow (Bening-
Chester Castle by Fenians to obtain the last weapon called into action, and revolvers and cutlasses’ during ‘the ton, Hertfordshire) hears that John
arms, the Mayor of Chester calls should only be resorted to in cases present disturbed state of the County’. Chapman, a known poacher who he also
out the part-time Chester Volunteer when, without their use, it would be Firearms and cutlasses are made knows has been wanted on a warrant
Rifle Corps. Uncertain of the correct practically impossible to quell the more easily available in Lancashire. for six years, is in his area. He goes
procedure he swears them all in as disturbance’. They are not immediately issued but looking for him and when he finds him
special constables. A Brigade of Guards Sergeant Charles Brett (Man- uniform belts are adapted to carry there is a struggle and Snow is shot
(500 men) is sent by train from London chester City) is shot and killed by them. in the head. He manages to reach his
in support. Fenians during a rescue of prisoners Warrington Borough Police, which home from where a doctor is called
In June the Secretary of State for from custody (right). William O’Meara, consists of a chief constable, two but he dies later that night. Chapman
War clarifies the circumstances under William Gould and Michael Larkin are sergeants and twenty-three constables, is arrested and charged with murder.
which the Volunteer Rifle Corps can be executed at New Bailey prison, Salford. is ‘issued on government orders At first hedenies any involvement but,
called: ‘In cases of dangerous riots and The Murphy Riots. William with enough [Colt] revolvers and no doubt after legal advice, in court
disturbances … having for their object Murphy gives a series of virulent anti- ammunition to arm each member of he argues that as the officer was not in
the commission of felonious acts or the catholic lectures in Birmingham and as [the] force for their personal protection possession of the warrant his attempt
subversion of the civil Government, a result there is a riot by Irish immigrant if the need to do so ever arose’. to arrest him was not lawful. The trial
the civil authority may call upon labourers. Murphy supporters then The Head Constable of Birkenhead judge agrees and Chapman is convicted
and require Her Majesty’s subjects ransack the Irish quarter. Birmingham Borough Police reports that he has of manslaughter. He is sentenced to
generally, including Volunteers, to City officers with cutlasses break up received thirty pistols, pouches and fifteen years penal servitude.
arm themselves with and use such some rioting but the Mayor has to call holsters, together with ammunition,
other weapons of defence or attack on the assistance of about 70 men from from Chester Castle.
as may be in their power and may be the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars and The first Met police firearms
suitable to the occasion, and such other 100 men from the 82nd Regiment of training takes place after an attempt is
weapons may be used accordingly Foot. Special constables are recruited made to free two Fenians by blowing up
by Her Majesty’s subjects, including and a force of 50 Warwickshire a wall of Clerkenwell prison in London.
Volunteers, according to the necessity Constabulary constables is also