IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (15th - 21st MARCH 1921)
This week's stories include the King and Queen arrive at Knowsley Hall, a controversial new St Helens Transport Bill is considered in Parliament, a Rainhill referee gets a surprise appointment and the mother brought to book in Prescot for hitting a headmaster.
We begin in nearby Widnes on the 15th where four men working at a power station were fatally gassed. A number of rescuers were overcome and at the subsequent inquest were praised for their bravery by the coroner.
In the committee rooms of the House of Commons on the 15th, consideration was given to the St Helens Corporation Bill. This had two main purposes: 1) To enable the purchase of land to widen the streets of the town. 2) To expand the running of motor buses and trams both inside and outside of the borough.
The latter was the really controversial part, as those with vested transport interests did not appreciate the competition. And so Lancashire County Council, Widnes Council, Ashton Council and the London and North Western Railway Company were among those fighting the Bill. And they had an early victory, with the proposed running of "trackless trams" by St Helens Corporation outside of the borough stripped out of the Bill by MPs. The new trackless trams would become more commonly known as trolleybuses.
The legislation had also been intended to curb the future spread of infectious disease by giving St Helens health authorities extra powers. However strong resistance led by a man called James McGhee had stymied those plans after he told a public meeting of ratepayers: "Closing schools to prevent the spread of infection is quite useless. It is put forward by the medical profession and the medical officer to instil fear into the minds of the people, just as children are frightened by tales of ghosts."
The Bill could also have spared St Helens the numerous waste heaps created by collieries, glass and chemical works that pockmarked the town for much of the 20th century. However a clause limiting the size of such monstrosities was defeated at the same meeting after the companies packed the gathering with their employees and supporters.
From what I hear on the news, violent attacks on teachers by the parents of their pupils are an increasing problem. Although far less likely to happen in the past, such incidents certainly did occur – especially after corporal punishment had been inflicted on the children, who, of course, claimed complete innocence of doing anything wrong!
Elizabeth Reader was charged at Prescot Police Court on the 15th with assaulting Joseph Arnell, the headmaster of Huyton-with-Roby C of E School. Mr Arnell told the court that he had had to punish the defendant's son at the school for disobedience and at 8.30pm that night she had turned up at his house with a soldier. The woman struck him twice on his doorstep and the soldier said he wanted to fight him. This was not the first time that Mrs Reader had caused trouble. On a previous occasion after the head had punished her son, the woman had tried to assault him. She was fined £2.
It was a big week for Knowsley Hall with the arrival on the 16th of the King and Queen for a five-night stay. King George V and Queen Mary left Euston at 1:50pm and after arriving at Huyton station at 6:15pm, the Royal entourage was driven by car to the home of Lord Derby. They were at Knowsley primarily to attend the Grand National at Aintree and watch a football match at Anfield. The Queen and her daughter Princess Mary also visited Liverpool, inspecting an orphanage, a training centre and workshops for disabled sailors and soldiers.
The Echo wrote: "Liverpool was looking gay, for though there were no official decorations, a number of buildings displayed flags, and the crowds in the city streets during the luncheon-hour – workers of all kinds taking the opportunity to have a glimpse of Royalty – gave the scene a holiday aspect."
As usual very detailed itineraries of their journeys were published in the newspapers. However with a vicious civil war taking place in Ireland and bomb threats being made on mainland targets, I do wonder at the wisdom of that. Although the Echo wrote that constables armed with rifles had been guarding Knowsley Park for several days.
The Grand National took place on the 18th and the Liverpool Echo described how an "army of Pathé camera men" had gone to Aintree to capture the race. It was intended that the films would be immediately flown to London for developing and a plane carrying the reels took off just ten minutes after the race ended. However the pilot was blown off course to Ipswich by a 30mph wind and he had to land the plane to ask someone where he was!
Then mist was encountered at Romford and the plane had to land again and its precious cargo driven by car to the capital. Despite this setback the edited film was still shown in cinemas in London before 10pm that evening. That was in record time and the Echo added that it was planned to show a copy of the film to the King at Knowsley. Incidentally, there was criticism of the National in the newspapers with calls for the race to be banned after 34 horses fell or refused fences. A century later the debate still rages on…
During the evening of the 18th what was described as a house party took place in Lord Derby's magnificent residence, with lots of lords and ladies in attendance. Georges Carpentier – the famous French boxer and actor (pictured above) – staged a boxing exhibition for the Royal party – a "fistic treat", was how the Echo described the private affair. "We learn that a “ring” had been rigged up", continued the Echo, "and that the royal party found great pleasure in Carpentier's amazing dexterity and electric hitting." Carpentier was also able to announce this week that he had signed a contract to fight Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight championship of the world.
The King and Queen did not visit St Helens on this occasion – however they had been to the town in 1913 and later in 1921, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII who was also staying at Knowsley Hall) would visit St Helens Recs football ground and shake hands with over 100 ex-servicemen.
The spate of mining accidents continued in St Helens with the death on the 16th of Peter Parr of Fry Street in Parr. The young man was employed as a drawer at the "Vanny" – as Havannah Colliery was locally known. In those days colliers were self-employed contractors who would pay a man called a drawer to take away the coal that that they'd hewed from the face.
Beecham's were continuing their advertising campaign that encouraged consumers to pop their pills in order to ward off illness – rather than simply taking the medication when ill. As I wrote recently, there is clearly much more money to be made by people taking medicine on a long-term basis. On the 19th an advert by the St Helens firm appeared in the Fife Free Press in which they made the dubious claim that their pills could prevent premature ageing:
"You won't be too old at forty if you look after yourself right. Make a point of avoiding those disorders of stomach and bowels which do so much to undermine one's strength and energy and you will be at your best at forty and thoroughly fit at fifty. An occasional dose of Beecham's Pills is generally all that is needed in order to keep well. This medicine is an excellent remedy for indigestion and constipation and similar fruitful causes of debility and premature old age."
On the 21st Job "Jock" Davies of Rainhill was selected by the Football Association to referee the forthcoming FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves. This was seen as a surprise appointment as Davies was only in his second season as a first-class referee. He was then employed at the Helsby Electrical Works but became a licensee at the Coach and Horses in Rainhill in 1923 and gave up refereeing. Jock had a short career as a top referee but was highly respected and regularly praised in the newspapers for the way he handled matches.
And finally the non-St Helens item that caught my eye this week was the debate on proposals for huge financial compensation payments demanded by Britain from Germany for the cost of the war. The German Reparation Bill was going through Parliament and there was lots of tough talk. Under the headline "Bringing Germany To Heel", the Echo described how the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Austen Chamberlain, had promised MPs that if the Germans failed to cough-up a proposed 50% levy on exports then a "severe economic blockade would bring her to reason".
Although most of the money never ended up being paid, the reparations were such a national humiliation for Germany that it led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis – and that did not end particularly well for the world, did it? And finally, finally, this "Wanted" advert for a bossy woman was placed in the classified section of the Echo:
"MANAGERESS, immediately, to take charge of catering department; must be domineering, autocratic, and absolutely fearless of an arbitrary staff; in short, a perfect demon. – Rhos Golf Club, Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales."
Next week's stories will include a reprise for the wandering hens of St Helens, the boy robbers of Taylor Park who signed a friendship pact, the St Helens woman in trouble in Southport, St Helens Recs illegal lottery and why the Oxford Cinema needed an organist.
We begin in nearby Widnes on the 15th where four men working at a power station were fatally gassed. A number of rescuers were overcome and at the subsequent inquest were praised for their bravery by the coroner.
In the committee rooms of the House of Commons on the 15th, consideration was given to the St Helens Corporation Bill. This had two main purposes: 1) To enable the purchase of land to widen the streets of the town. 2) To expand the running of motor buses and trams both inside and outside of the borough.
The latter was the really controversial part, as those with vested transport interests did not appreciate the competition. And so Lancashire County Council, Widnes Council, Ashton Council and the London and North Western Railway Company were among those fighting the Bill. And they had an early victory, with the proposed running of "trackless trams" by St Helens Corporation outside of the borough stripped out of the Bill by MPs. The new trackless trams would become more commonly known as trolleybuses.
The legislation had also been intended to curb the future spread of infectious disease by giving St Helens health authorities extra powers. However strong resistance led by a man called James McGhee had stymied those plans after he told a public meeting of ratepayers: "Closing schools to prevent the spread of infection is quite useless. It is put forward by the medical profession and the medical officer to instil fear into the minds of the people, just as children are frightened by tales of ghosts."
The Bill could also have spared St Helens the numerous waste heaps created by collieries, glass and chemical works that pockmarked the town for much of the 20th century. However a clause limiting the size of such monstrosities was defeated at the same meeting after the companies packed the gathering with their employees and supporters.
From what I hear on the news, violent attacks on teachers by the parents of their pupils are an increasing problem. Although far less likely to happen in the past, such incidents certainly did occur – especially after corporal punishment had been inflicted on the children, who, of course, claimed complete innocence of doing anything wrong!
Elizabeth Reader was charged at Prescot Police Court on the 15th with assaulting Joseph Arnell, the headmaster of Huyton-with-Roby C of E School. Mr Arnell told the court that he had had to punish the defendant's son at the school for disobedience and at 8.30pm that night she had turned up at his house with a soldier. The woman struck him twice on his doorstep and the soldier said he wanted to fight him. This was not the first time that Mrs Reader had caused trouble. On a previous occasion after the head had punished her son, the woman had tried to assault him. She was fined £2.
The Echo wrote: "Liverpool was looking gay, for though there were no official decorations, a number of buildings displayed flags, and the crowds in the city streets during the luncheon-hour – workers of all kinds taking the opportunity to have a glimpse of Royalty – gave the scene a holiday aspect."
As usual very detailed itineraries of their journeys were published in the newspapers. However with a vicious civil war taking place in Ireland and bomb threats being made on mainland targets, I do wonder at the wisdom of that. Although the Echo wrote that constables armed with rifles had been guarding Knowsley Park for several days.
The Grand National took place on the 18th and the Liverpool Echo described how an "army of Pathé camera men" had gone to Aintree to capture the race. It was intended that the films would be immediately flown to London for developing and a plane carrying the reels took off just ten minutes after the race ended. However the pilot was blown off course to Ipswich by a 30mph wind and he had to land the plane to ask someone where he was!
Then mist was encountered at Romford and the plane had to land again and its precious cargo driven by car to the capital. Despite this setback the edited film was still shown in cinemas in London before 10pm that evening. That was in record time and the Echo added that it was planned to show a copy of the film to the King at Knowsley. Incidentally, there was criticism of the National in the newspapers with calls for the race to be banned after 34 horses fell or refused fences. A century later the debate still rages on…
The King and Queen did not visit St Helens on this occasion – however they had been to the town in 1913 and later in 1921, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII who was also staying at Knowsley Hall) would visit St Helens Recs football ground and shake hands with over 100 ex-servicemen.
The spate of mining accidents continued in St Helens with the death on the 16th of Peter Parr of Fry Street in Parr. The young man was employed as a drawer at the "Vanny" – as Havannah Colliery was locally known. In those days colliers were self-employed contractors who would pay a man called a drawer to take away the coal that that they'd hewed from the face.
Beecham's were continuing their advertising campaign that encouraged consumers to pop their pills in order to ward off illness – rather than simply taking the medication when ill. As I wrote recently, there is clearly much more money to be made by people taking medicine on a long-term basis. On the 19th an advert by the St Helens firm appeared in the Fife Free Press in which they made the dubious claim that their pills could prevent premature ageing:
"You won't be too old at forty if you look after yourself right. Make a point of avoiding those disorders of stomach and bowels which do so much to undermine one's strength and energy and you will be at your best at forty and thoroughly fit at fifty. An occasional dose of Beecham's Pills is generally all that is needed in order to keep well. This medicine is an excellent remedy for indigestion and constipation and similar fruitful causes of debility and premature old age."
On the 21st Job "Jock" Davies of Rainhill was selected by the Football Association to referee the forthcoming FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves. This was seen as a surprise appointment as Davies was only in his second season as a first-class referee. He was then employed at the Helsby Electrical Works but became a licensee at the Coach and Horses in Rainhill in 1923 and gave up refereeing. Jock had a short career as a top referee but was highly respected and regularly praised in the newspapers for the way he handled matches.
And finally the non-St Helens item that caught my eye this week was the debate on proposals for huge financial compensation payments demanded by Britain from Germany for the cost of the war. The German Reparation Bill was going through Parliament and there was lots of tough talk. Under the headline "Bringing Germany To Heel", the Echo described how the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Austen Chamberlain, had promised MPs that if the Germans failed to cough-up a proposed 50% levy on exports then a "severe economic blockade would bring her to reason".
Although most of the money never ended up being paid, the reparations were such a national humiliation for Germany that it led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis – and that did not end particularly well for the world, did it? And finally, finally, this "Wanted" advert for a bossy woman was placed in the classified section of the Echo:
"MANAGERESS, immediately, to take charge of catering department; must be domineering, autocratic, and absolutely fearless of an arbitrary staff; in short, a perfect demon. – Rhos Golf Club, Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales."
Next week's stories will include a reprise for the wandering hens of St Helens, the boy robbers of Taylor Park who signed a friendship pact, the St Helens woman in trouble in Southport, St Helens Recs illegal lottery and why the Oxford Cinema needed an organist.
This week's stories include the King and Queen arrive at Knowsley Hall, a controversial new St Helens Transport Bill is considered in Parliament, a Rainhill referee gets a surprise appointment and the mother brought to book in Prescot for hitting a headmaster.
We begin in nearby Widnes on the 15th where four men working at a power station were fatally gassed.
A number of rescuers were overcome and at the subsequent inquest were praised for their bravery by the coroner.
In the committee rooms of the House of Commons on the 15th, consideration was given to the St Helens Corporation Bill.
This had two main purposes: 1) To enable the purchase of land to widen the streets of the town.
2) To expand the running of motor buses and trams both inside and outside of the borough.
The latter was the really controversial part, as those with vested transport interests did not appreciate the competition.
And so Lancashire County Council, Widnes Council, Ashton Council and the London and North Western Railway Company were among those fighting the Bill.
And they had an early victory, with the proposed running of "trackless trams" by St Helens Corporation outside of the borough stripped out of the Bill by MPs.
The new trackless trams would become more commonly known as trolleybuses.
The legislation had also been intended to curb the future spread of infectious disease by giving St Helens health authorities extra powers.
However strong resistance led by a man called James McGhee had stymied those plans after he told a public meeting of ratepayers:
"Closing schools to prevent the spread of infection is quite useless. It is put forward by the medical profession and the medical officer to instil fear into the minds of the people, just as children are frightened by tales of ghosts."
The Bill could also have spared St Helens the numerous waste heaps created by collieries, glass and chemical works that pockmarked the town for much of the 20th century.
However a clause limiting the size of such monstrosities was defeated at the same meeting after the companies packed the gathering with their employees and supporters.
From what I hear on the news, violent attacks on teachers by the parents of their pupils are an increasing problem.
Although far less likely to happen in the past, such incidents certainly did occur – especially after corporal punishment had been inflicted on the children, who, of course, claimed complete innocence of doing anything wrong!
Elizabeth Reader was charged at Prescot Police Court on the 15th with assaulting Joseph Arnell, the headmaster of Huyton-with-Roby C of E School.
Mr Arnell told the court that he had had to punish the defendant's son at the school for disobedience and at 8.30pm that night she had turned up at his house with a soldier.
The woman struck him twice on his doorstep and the soldier said he wanted to fight him.
This was not the first time that Mrs Reader had caused trouble. On a previous occasion after the head had punished her son, the woman had tried to assault him. She was fined £2.
It was a big week for Knowsley Hall with the arrival on the 16th of the King and Queen for a five-night stay.
King George V and Queen Mary left Euston at 1:50pm and after arriving at Huyton station at 6:15pm, the Royal entourage was driven by car to the home of Lord Derby.
They were at Knowsley primarily to attend the Grand National at Aintree and watch a football match at Anfield.
The Queen and her daughter Princess Mary also visited Liverpool, inspecting an orphanage, a training centre and workshops for disabled sailors and soldiers.
The Echo wrote: "Liverpool was looking gay, for though there were no official decorations, a number of buildings displayed flags, and the crowds in the city streets during the luncheon-hour – workers of all kinds taking the opportunity to have a glimpse of Royalty – gave the scene a holiday aspect."
As usual very detailed itineraries of their journeys were published in the newspapers.
However with a vicious civil war taking place in Ireland and bomb threats being made on mainland targets, I do wonder at the wisdom of that.
Although the Echo wrote that constables armed with rifles had been guarding Knowsley Park for several days.
The Grand National took place on the 18th and the Liverpool Echo described how an "army of Pathé camera men" had gone to Aintree to capture the race.
It was intended that the films would be immediately flown to London for developing and a plane carrying the reels took off just ten minutes after the race ended.
However the pilot was blown off course to Ipswich by a 30mph wind and he had to land the plane to ask someone where he was!
Then mist was encountered at Romford and the plane had to land again and its precious cargo driven by car to the capital.
Despite this setback the edited film was still shown in cinemas in London before 10pm that evening.
That was in record time and the Echo added that it was planned to show a copy of the film to the King at Knowsley.
Incidentally, there was criticism of the National in the newspapers with calls for the race to be banned after 34 horses fell or refused fences. A century later the debate still rages on…
During the evening of the 18th what was described as a house party took place in Lord Derby's magnificent residence, with lots of lords and ladies in attendance.
Georges Carpentier – the famous French boxer and actor (pictured above) – staged a boxing exhibition for the Royal party – a "fistic treat", was how the Echo described the private affair.
"We learn that a “ring” had been rigged up", continued the Echo, "and that the royal party found great pleasure in Carpentier's amazing dexterity and electric hitting."
Carpentier was also able to announce this week that he had signed a contract to fight Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight championship of the world.
The King and Queen did not visit St Helens on this occasion – however they had been to the town in 1913 and later in 1921, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII who was also staying at Knowsley Hall) would visit St Helens Recs football ground and shake hands with over 100 ex-servicemen.
The spate of mining accidents continued in St Helens with the death on the 16th of Peter Parr of Fry Street in Parr. The young man was employed as a drawer at the "Vanny" – as Havannah Colliery was locally known.
In those days colliers were self-employed contractors who would pay a man called a drawer to take away the coal that that they'd hewed from the face.
Beecham's were continuing their advertising campaign that encouraged consumers to pop their pills in order to ward off illness – rather than simply taking the medication when ill.
As I wrote recently, there is clearly much more money to be made by people taking medicine on a long-term basis.
On the 19th an advert by the St Helens firm appeared in the Fife Free Press in which they made the dubious claim that their pills could prevent premature ageing:
"You won't be too old at forty if you look after yourself right. Make a point of avoiding those disorders of stomach and bowels which do so much to undermine one's strength and energy and you will be at your best at forty and thoroughly fit at fifty.
"An occasional dose of Beecham's Pills is generally all that is needed in order to keep well.
"This medicine is an excellent remedy for indigestion and constipation and similar fruitful causes of debility and premature old age."
On the 21st Job "Jock" Davies of Rainhill was selected by the Football Association to referee the forthcoming FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves.
This was seen as a surprise appointment as Davies was only in his second season as a first-class referee.
He was then employed at the Helsby Electrical Works but became a licensee at the Coach and Horses in Rainhill in 1923 and gave up refereeing.
Jock had a short career as a top referee but was highly respected and regularly praised in the newspapers for the way he handled matches.
And finally the non-St Helens item that caught my eye this week was the debate on proposals for huge financial compensation payments demanded by Britain from Germany for the cost of the war.
The German Reparation Bill was going through Parliament and there was lots of tough talk.
Under the headline "Bringing Germany To Heel", the Echo described how the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Austen Chamberlain, had promised MPs that if the Germans failed to cough-up a proposed 50% levy on exports then a "severe economic blockade would bring her to reason".
Although most of the money never ended up being paid, the reparations were such a national humiliation for Germany that it led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis – and that did not end particularly well for the world, did it?
And finally, finally, this "Wanted" advert for a bossy woman was placed in the classified section of the Echo:
"MANAGERESS, immediately, to take charge of catering department; must be domineering, autocratic, and absolutely fearless of an arbitrary staff; in short, a perfect demon. – Rhos Golf Club, Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales."
Next week's stories will include a reprise for the wandering hens of St Helens, the boy robbers of Taylor Park who signed a friendship pact, the St Helens woman in trouble in Southport, St Helens Recs illegal lottery and why the Oxford Cinema needed an organist.
We begin in nearby Widnes on the 15th where four men working at a power station were fatally gassed.
A number of rescuers were overcome and at the subsequent inquest were praised for their bravery by the coroner.
In the committee rooms of the House of Commons on the 15th, consideration was given to the St Helens Corporation Bill.
This had two main purposes: 1) To enable the purchase of land to widen the streets of the town.
2) To expand the running of motor buses and trams both inside and outside of the borough.
The latter was the really controversial part, as those with vested transport interests did not appreciate the competition.
And so Lancashire County Council, Widnes Council, Ashton Council and the London and North Western Railway Company were among those fighting the Bill.
And they had an early victory, with the proposed running of "trackless trams" by St Helens Corporation outside of the borough stripped out of the Bill by MPs.
The new trackless trams would become more commonly known as trolleybuses.
The legislation had also been intended to curb the future spread of infectious disease by giving St Helens health authorities extra powers.
However strong resistance led by a man called James McGhee had stymied those plans after he told a public meeting of ratepayers:
"Closing schools to prevent the spread of infection is quite useless. It is put forward by the medical profession and the medical officer to instil fear into the minds of the people, just as children are frightened by tales of ghosts."
The Bill could also have spared St Helens the numerous waste heaps created by collieries, glass and chemical works that pockmarked the town for much of the 20th century.
However a clause limiting the size of such monstrosities was defeated at the same meeting after the companies packed the gathering with their employees and supporters.
From what I hear on the news, violent attacks on teachers by the parents of their pupils are an increasing problem.
Although far less likely to happen in the past, such incidents certainly did occur – especially after corporal punishment had been inflicted on the children, who, of course, claimed complete innocence of doing anything wrong!
Elizabeth Reader was charged at Prescot Police Court on the 15th with assaulting Joseph Arnell, the headmaster of Huyton-with-Roby C of E School.
Mr Arnell told the court that he had had to punish the defendant's son at the school for disobedience and at 8.30pm that night she had turned up at his house with a soldier.
The woman struck him twice on his doorstep and the soldier said he wanted to fight him.
This was not the first time that Mrs Reader had caused trouble. On a previous occasion after the head had punished her son, the woman had tried to assault him. She was fined £2.
King George V and Queen Mary left Euston at 1:50pm and after arriving at Huyton station at 6:15pm, the Royal entourage was driven by car to the home of Lord Derby.
They were at Knowsley primarily to attend the Grand National at Aintree and watch a football match at Anfield.
The Queen and her daughter Princess Mary also visited Liverpool, inspecting an orphanage, a training centre and workshops for disabled sailors and soldiers.
The Echo wrote: "Liverpool was looking gay, for though there were no official decorations, a number of buildings displayed flags, and the crowds in the city streets during the luncheon-hour – workers of all kinds taking the opportunity to have a glimpse of Royalty – gave the scene a holiday aspect."
As usual very detailed itineraries of their journeys were published in the newspapers.
However with a vicious civil war taking place in Ireland and bomb threats being made on mainland targets, I do wonder at the wisdom of that.
Although the Echo wrote that constables armed with rifles had been guarding Knowsley Park for several days.
The Grand National took place on the 18th and the Liverpool Echo described how an "army of Pathé camera men" had gone to Aintree to capture the race.
It was intended that the films would be immediately flown to London for developing and a plane carrying the reels took off just ten minutes after the race ended.
However the pilot was blown off course to Ipswich by a 30mph wind and he had to land the plane to ask someone where he was!
Then mist was encountered at Romford and the plane had to land again and its precious cargo driven by car to the capital.
Despite this setback the edited film was still shown in cinemas in London before 10pm that evening.
That was in record time and the Echo added that it was planned to show a copy of the film to the King at Knowsley.
Incidentally, there was criticism of the National in the newspapers with calls for the race to be banned after 34 horses fell or refused fences. A century later the debate still rages on…
During the evening of the 18th what was described as a house party took place in Lord Derby's magnificent residence, with lots of lords and ladies in attendance.
"We learn that a “ring” had been rigged up", continued the Echo, "and that the royal party found great pleasure in Carpentier's amazing dexterity and electric hitting."
Carpentier was also able to announce this week that he had signed a contract to fight Jack Dempsey for the heavyweight championship of the world.
The King and Queen did not visit St Helens on this occasion – however they had been to the town in 1913 and later in 1921, the Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VIII who was also staying at Knowsley Hall) would visit St Helens Recs football ground and shake hands with over 100 ex-servicemen.
The spate of mining accidents continued in St Helens with the death on the 16th of Peter Parr of Fry Street in Parr. The young man was employed as a drawer at the "Vanny" – as Havannah Colliery was locally known.
In those days colliers were self-employed contractors who would pay a man called a drawer to take away the coal that that they'd hewed from the face.
Beecham's were continuing their advertising campaign that encouraged consumers to pop their pills in order to ward off illness – rather than simply taking the medication when ill.
As I wrote recently, there is clearly much more money to be made by people taking medicine on a long-term basis.
On the 19th an advert by the St Helens firm appeared in the Fife Free Press in which they made the dubious claim that their pills could prevent premature ageing:
"You won't be too old at forty if you look after yourself right. Make a point of avoiding those disorders of stomach and bowels which do so much to undermine one's strength and energy and you will be at your best at forty and thoroughly fit at fifty.
"An occasional dose of Beecham's Pills is generally all that is needed in order to keep well.
"This medicine is an excellent remedy for indigestion and constipation and similar fruitful causes of debility and premature old age."
On the 21st Job "Jock" Davies of Rainhill was selected by the Football Association to referee the forthcoming FA Cup Final at Stamford Bridge between Tottenham Hotspur and Wolves.
This was seen as a surprise appointment as Davies was only in his second season as a first-class referee.
He was then employed at the Helsby Electrical Works but became a licensee at the Coach and Horses in Rainhill in 1923 and gave up refereeing.
Jock had a short career as a top referee but was highly respected and regularly praised in the newspapers for the way he handled matches.
And finally the non-St Helens item that caught my eye this week was the debate on proposals for huge financial compensation payments demanded by Britain from Germany for the cost of the war.
The German Reparation Bill was going through Parliament and there was lots of tough talk.
Under the headline "Bringing Germany To Heel", the Echo described how the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Austen Chamberlain, had promised MPs that if the Germans failed to cough-up a proposed 50% levy on exports then a "severe economic blockade would bring her to reason".
Although most of the money never ended up being paid, the reparations were such a national humiliation for Germany that it led to the rise of Hitler and the Nazis – and that did not end particularly well for the world, did it?
And finally, finally, this "Wanted" advert for a bossy woman was placed in the classified section of the Echo:
"MANAGERESS, immediately, to take charge of catering department; must be domineering, autocratic, and absolutely fearless of an arbitrary staff; in short, a perfect demon. – Rhos Golf Club, Rhos-on-Sea, North Wales."
Next week's stories will include a reprise for the wandering hens of St Helens, the boy robbers of Taylor Park who signed a friendship pact, the St Helens woman in trouble in Southport, St Helens Recs illegal lottery and why the Oxford Cinema needed an organist.