IOO YEARS AGO THIS WEEK (18th - 24th OCTOBER 1921)
This week's many stories include the unruly scenes in St Helens Town Hall as Communists and anti-Communists clash, the alcoholic woman saturated in spirits, the wife and niece-beating Westfield Street tobacconist, Charlie Chaplin's 'The Kid' comes to St Helens, Rainford's first public market opens for business and Lord Derby unveils Rainhill's war memorial.
It sounds like Annie Murphy was what we would call an alcoholic who needed treatment and help. The woman appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 18th charged with stealing household goods belonging to her sister-in-law. Annie's husband was in the army and currently stationed in central Europe. So she and her children had come to stay with one of her husband's three sisters in St Helens – but claimed they'd been turned away.
Rose Cragg of Park Road was a widow with six children of her own and told the court why she'd asked her sister-in-law to leave. Mrs Cragg said that for the first week Annie had not paid her any keep – despite receiving an Army allowance of £1 11s 6d a week, which she drank away. DC Latus told the court that since the woman had been told to quit her sister-in-law's house, she had stayed in five different lodgings, as her drunken habits led to her being repeatedly ordered to leave.
The officer added that all the goods that Mrs Murphy had stolen from Rose Cragg had been sold – presumably to fund her drunken lifestyle. When DC Latus had arrested the woman, he said he found her "saturated in spirits". The Bench bound Annie Murphy over for six months and asked the "lady missionary" to help her. She was a social worker but help would likely be an instruction to stop drinking, which could be easier said than done.
During the evening of the 18th, a meeting of the newly-formed Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool took place at St Helens Town Hall. It was a lively event as a group of Communist sympathisers were present and they repeatedly interrupted speeches and caused unruly scenes. The Reporter wrote:
"Mr. Gibson, organiser of the Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool, began by frankly stating that he was determined to squash Communism in St. Helens. Cheers and counter cheers followed this announcement, and for some moments there was disorder, during which Mr. Gibson shook the Union Jack to the accompaniment of heckling and counter-cheers." Mr. Gibson was also quoted as saying: "If the Communist gang present did not want the Union Jack, let them go where the Red Flag was flying."
Statements made by other speakers that Communists in England preached the doctrine of bloody revolution and encouraged the unemployed to violence led to interjections of "lies" and "liar". The audience was told that Russia was paying Communist leaders in this country and it was decided that a branch of their new counter organisation should be formed in St Helens to help fight the threat.
Another lively affair took place during the same evening at the new boxing venue known as "The Ring" in the Volunteer Hall, which attracted another large audience. Since the weekly contests had begun in September, men had poured into Mill Street to watch what some called the noble art. Others might call it the brutal art and with the chief event featuring a man called "Butcher" Moore, gentle contests could not be expected.
However, those hoping to see Butcher spill some blood were in for a disappointment. He had been unable to travel down from his home in Barrow and so Joe Woods of St Helens – who was described as the former middleweight champion of India – took his place. However, he was out of condition and was knocked out in the eighth round.
"Burglariously breaking out" of a hotel is the unusual charge that was faced by Michael Maloney on the 19th at the Preston Sessions. Burglars are, of course, supposed to break into places – not break out – but what if they were already legitimately inside? Sometimes people would enter a pub, have a drink or two and then when last orders were called, find some place to hide. Once the doors had been locked and the publican had retired to bed, then the thief would steal some spirits or cash and then "burglariously" break out of the premises.
The 25-year-old Maloney from Market Street in St Helens had done exactly that after hiding in the cellar of the Fleece Hotel in Blackpool and helping himself to whisky and cigarettes. Unfortunately for him at 4:30am while walking in Topping Street, a policeman stopped him and noticed his pockets were bulky. When asked what he had got, Maloney replied, "Just a few fags. Have a drink, old sport. I am on my way to Fleetwood to join a ship." After a struggle the man was locked up and in court sentenced to four months' hard labour.
Last month I stated that the group of men – sometimes called the Unemployed Organisation of St Helens – had called for an increase in the scale of outdoor relief paid to those out of work. These were means-tested allowances paid under the Poor Law by the Prescot Guardians – who also administered the workhouse at Whiston – when entitlement to unemployment benefit had expired. Supplementary benefit would probably be the nearest modern-day equivalent.
Single unemployed men (and women) had received no payments from the Prescot Guardians and family men only got 14 shillings a week – with 4 shillings extra for each of their first 3 children and then 3 shillings for each subsequent child. As a result of the Organisation's campaign, single persons over 18 became entitled to payments of 12s 6d a week and the 14 shillings paid to a man and his wife was lifted to 25 shillings. If the couple had six children, they would be entitled to 50 shillings a week, compared to 35 shillings previously.
That was a big improvement but rent swallowed up much of the cash and the typical family would have been in much debt and paying high prices for food and clothes in the shops. As their pressure had worked before, the Unemployed Organisation decided to demand more money and so during the afternoon of the 20th, men marched from St Helens and Widnes to the Prescot Union's offices in Whiston.
At the Theatre Royal throughout this week, a Scottish novelty revue called 'Hooch Aye' was performed in "six spectacular scenes". The Hippodrome normally offered a range of music hall acts but this week's entertainment was devoted entirely to a circus revue called 'An Eye Opener' featuring over 40 artists and many performing animals. Adverts said it was "The biggest drawing attraction in the country" and the "largest and most expensive company touring".
On the 21st James Pollock Bagley of 54 Westfield Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with assaulting and beating his niece. The 47-year-old worked in his wife Sarah's tobacconist's shop that their niece Florence Barnaby partly owned. The two females are shown living together over the shop in the 1911 census. The trouble began some time later when Sarah married Bagley and he moved in.
Sarah complained that since her marriage her husband had continually beaten her, adding: "I have been too ashamed to come to court, because it served me right for marrying such a man knowing what sort of a man he was." However, a string of attacks on her niece had clearly stung Sarah into action – although Bagley had only been summoned for a single assault on Florence. The 24-year-old told the court that her uncle had rushed at her when she was standing in front of the shop and then struck her.
Florence said he attempted to hit her several more times but passers-by had made him stop. "He has repeatedly assaulted me and made me black and blue", she complained. Her aunt Sarah also said that her husband was driving people away from the shop by using bad language – a written sample of which was handed to the Bench.
Typically, Bagley denied that he had committed any assault and alleged that Florence had shouted and abused him! But the magistrates weren't fooled and bound him over for twelve months with a total of £20 in sureties having to be found. I notice in the wartime census known as the 1939 Register that the couple were still living together in the Westfield Street tobacconist's shop. Let's hope Bagley had learned to control his temper.
The St Helens Reporter wrote that Rainford had been in the "throes of great excitement" on the 21st. A thousand shoppers from all parts of the district had made their way to waste ground in what was described as Chapel Gardens for the formal opening of Rainford's first public market. "This was soon over", said the Reporter, "and the thirty stalls were immediately besieged by the prospective buyers. For several hours the various stall holders were kept as busy as bees."
Then during the evening, a Trafalgar Day ball was held in Rainford Village Hall. More than 140 guests attended the event, with proceeds in aid of the St Helens and District Welfare Society for the Blind. In charge of the organisation, was Rainford's remarkable blind councillor James Eden (shown above with Rainford Village Hall) who ensured that the hall was florally decorated to – as the Reporter put it – a "charming effect".
On the 22nd rising rugby union star Douglas Cook of Lingholme Road played in a trial match at Aigburth and so impressed the selectors that he was immediately picked to play for Lancashire in their forthcoming game against Cheshire. However, during the Aigburth match he had been kicked in the stomach and some hours later became ill. On the following day a life-saving operation took place at the Pilkington Special Hospital in Borough Road. Although the surgery was declared a success, the young man was still considered to be in a very critical condition.
Also on the 22nd, Lord Derby unveiled the Rainhill war memorial at the junction of Warrington Road and St James Road. In addition to the obelisk containing 34 names, a children's recreation ground was being created, the site having been donated anonymously in what was described as a peace offering. Referring indirectly to the present friction in the country, Lord Derby told those gathered for the unveiling:
"We might learn one lesson from the sacrifice made by these men. They suffered and died without heed to any differences in religion or any of those matters which divide us in our home life. They thought only of doing their duty to their country. Surely we might bring into our lives at the present moment some of that feeling and drop some of our petty differences, and think only of the country of which we were a part and for which these men died? These memorials are good, but the best tribute we could give our men would be to work together for the common good of the country and for the welfare and prosperity of the people."
On the same day Fred Goodson's "Grand Opening" of their new St Helens store occurred. There might be a depression with many folk not able to put food on their table – but not everyone was suffering. The ladies' costumiers specialised in fur coats and evening gowns.
From the 24th Charlie Chaplin's new film called 'The Kid' was screened at two St Helens picture houses. The silent about Chaplin's tramp character finding an abandoned child is considered one of his best. "At Enormous Expense", said Griffins Pictures of Ormskirk Street (which became the Scala in 1924) in their Reporter ad. Meanwhile the strapline of the Oxford Picturedrome in Duke Street was "Charlie's Latest and Greatest Production".
Next week's stories will include the Nutgrove miner who thought he didn't have to pay rent while on strike, the Dentons Green baby hidden inside a tin box, the Windle Motor Company of Duke Street advertise the Ford Sedan, the stolen Sutton army surplus and good news for the rising rugby star of Lingholme Road.
It sounds like Annie Murphy was what we would call an alcoholic who needed treatment and help. The woman appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 18th charged with stealing household goods belonging to her sister-in-law. Annie's husband was in the army and currently stationed in central Europe. So she and her children had come to stay with one of her husband's three sisters in St Helens – but claimed they'd been turned away.
Rose Cragg of Park Road was a widow with six children of her own and told the court why she'd asked her sister-in-law to leave. Mrs Cragg said that for the first week Annie had not paid her any keep – despite receiving an Army allowance of £1 11s 6d a week, which she drank away. DC Latus told the court that since the woman had been told to quit her sister-in-law's house, she had stayed in five different lodgings, as her drunken habits led to her being repeatedly ordered to leave.
The officer added that all the goods that Mrs Murphy had stolen from Rose Cragg had been sold – presumably to fund her drunken lifestyle. When DC Latus had arrested the woman, he said he found her "saturated in spirits". The Bench bound Annie Murphy over for six months and asked the "lady missionary" to help her. She was a social worker but help would likely be an instruction to stop drinking, which could be easier said than done.
During the evening of the 18th, a meeting of the newly-formed Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool took place at St Helens Town Hall. It was a lively event as a group of Communist sympathisers were present and they repeatedly interrupted speeches and caused unruly scenes. The Reporter wrote:
"Mr. Gibson, organiser of the Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool, began by frankly stating that he was determined to squash Communism in St. Helens. Cheers and counter cheers followed this announcement, and for some moments there was disorder, during which Mr. Gibson shook the Union Jack to the accompaniment of heckling and counter-cheers." Mr. Gibson was also quoted as saying: "If the Communist gang present did not want the Union Jack, let them go where the Red Flag was flying."
Statements made by other speakers that Communists in England preached the doctrine of bloody revolution and encouraged the unemployed to violence led to interjections of "lies" and "liar". The audience was told that Russia was paying Communist leaders in this country and it was decided that a branch of their new counter organisation should be formed in St Helens to help fight the threat.
Another lively affair took place during the same evening at the new boxing venue known as "The Ring" in the Volunteer Hall, which attracted another large audience. Since the weekly contests had begun in September, men had poured into Mill Street to watch what some called the noble art. Others might call it the brutal art and with the chief event featuring a man called "Butcher" Moore, gentle contests could not be expected.
However, those hoping to see Butcher spill some blood were in for a disappointment. He had been unable to travel down from his home in Barrow and so Joe Woods of St Helens – who was described as the former middleweight champion of India – took his place. However, he was out of condition and was knocked out in the eighth round.
"Burglariously breaking out" of a hotel is the unusual charge that was faced by Michael Maloney on the 19th at the Preston Sessions. Burglars are, of course, supposed to break into places – not break out – but what if they were already legitimately inside? Sometimes people would enter a pub, have a drink or two and then when last orders were called, find some place to hide. Once the doors had been locked and the publican had retired to bed, then the thief would steal some spirits or cash and then "burglariously" break out of the premises.
The 25-year-old Maloney from Market Street in St Helens had done exactly that after hiding in the cellar of the Fleece Hotel in Blackpool and helping himself to whisky and cigarettes. Unfortunately for him at 4:30am while walking in Topping Street, a policeman stopped him and noticed his pockets were bulky. When asked what he had got, Maloney replied, "Just a few fags. Have a drink, old sport. I am on my way to Fleetwood to join a ship." After a struggle the man was locked up and in court sentenced to four months' hard labour.
Last month I stated that the group of men – sometimes called the Unemployed Organisation of St Helens – had called for an increase in the scale of outdoor relief paid to those out of work. These were means-tested allowances paid under the Poor Law by the Prescot Guardians – who also administered the workhouse at Whiston – when entitlement to unemployment benefit had expired. Supplementary benefit would probably be the nearest modern-day equivalent.
Single unemployed men (and women) had received no payments from the Prescot Guardians and family men only got 14 shillings a week – with 4 shillings extra for each of their first 3 children and then 3 shillings for each subsequent child. As a result of the Organisation's campaign, single persons over 18 became entitled to payments of 12s 6d a week and the 14 shillings paid to a man and his wife was lifted to 25 shillings. If the couple had six children, they would be entitled to 50 shillings a week, compared to 35 shillings previously.
That was a big improvement but rent swallowed up much of the cash and the typical family would have been in much debt and paying high prices for food and clothes in the shops. As their pressure had worked before, the Unemployed Organisation decided to demand more money and so during the afternoon of the 20th, men marched from St Helens and Widnes to the Prescot Union's offices in Whiston.
At the Theatre Royal throughout this week, a Scottish novelty revue called 'Hooch Aye' was performed in "six spectacular scenes". The Hippodrome normally offered a range of music hall acts but this week's entertainment was devoted entirely to a circus revue called 'An Eye Opener' featuring over 40 artists and many performing animals. Adverts said it was "The biggest drawing attraction in the country" and the "largest and most expensive company touring".
On the 21st James Pollock Bagley of 54 Westfield Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with assaulting and beating his niece. The 47-year-old worked in his wife Sarah's tobacconist's shop that their niece Florence Barnaby partly owned. The two females are shown living together over the shop in the 1911 census. The trouble began some time later when Sarah married Bagley and he moved in.
Sarah complained that since her marriage her husband had continually beaten her, adding: "I have been too ashamed to come to court, because it served me right for marrying such a man knowing what sort of a man he was." However, a string of attacks on her niece had clearly stung Sarah into action – although Bagley had only been summoned for a single assault on Florence. The 24-year-old told the court that her uncle had rushed at her when she was standing in front of the shop and then struck her.
Florence said he attempted to hit her several more times but passers-by had made him stop. "He has repeatedly assaulted me and made me black and blue", she complained. Her aunt Sarah also said that her husband was driving people away from the shop by using bad language – a written sample of which was handed to the Bench.
Typically, Bagley denied that he had committed any assault and alleged that Florence had shouted and abused him! But the magistrates weren't fooled and bound him over for twelve months with a total of £20 in sureties having to be found. I notice in the wartime census known as the 1939 Register that the couple were still living together in the Westfield Street tobacconist's shop. Let's hope Bagley had learned to control his temper.
The St Helens Reporter wrote that Rainford had been in the "throes of great excitement" on the 21st. A thousand shoppers from all parts of the district had made their way to waste ground in what was described as Chapel Gardens for the formal opening of Rainford's first public market. "This was soon over", said the Reporter, "and the thirty stalls were immediately besieged by the prospective buyers. For several hours the various stall holders were kept as busy as bees."
On the 22nd rising rugby union star Douglas Cook of Lingholme Road played in a trial match at Aigburth and so impressed the selectors that he was immediately picked to play for Lancashire in their forthcoming game against Cheshire. However, during the Aigburth match he had been kicked in the stomach and some hours later became ill. On the following day a life-saving operation took place at the Pilkington Special Hospital in Borough Road. Although the surgery was declared a success, the young man was still considered to be in a very critical condition.
Also on the 22nd, Lord Derby unveiled the Rainhill war memorial at the junction of Warrington Road and St James Road. In addition to the obelisk containing 34 names, a children's recreation ground was being created, the site having been donated anonymously in what was described as a peace offering. Referring indirectly to the present friction in the country, Lord Derby told those gathered for the unveiling:
"We might learn one lesson from the sacrifice made by these men. They suffered and died without heed to any differences in religion or any of those matters which divide us in our home life. They thought only of doing their duty to their country. Surely we might bring into our lives at the present moment some of that feeling and drop some of our petty differences, and think only of the country of which we were a part and for which these men died? These memorials are good, but the best tribute we could give our men would be to work together for the common good of the country and for the welfare and prosperity of the people."
On the same day Fred Goodson's "Grand Opening" of their new St Helens store occurred. There might be a depression with many folk not able to put food on their table – but not everyone was suffering. The ladies' costumiers specialised in fur coats and evening gowns.
Next week's stories will include the Nutgrove miner who thought he didn't have to pay rent while on strike, the Dentons Green baby hidden inside a tin box, the Windle Motor Company of Duke Street advertise the Ford Sedan, the stolen Sutton army surplus and good news for the rising rugby star of Lingholme Road.
This week's many stories include the unruly scenes in St Helens Town Hall as Communists and anti-Communists clash, the alcoholic woman saturated in spirits, the wife and niece-beating Westfield Street tobacconist, Charlie Chaplin's 'The Kid' comes to St Helens, Rainford's first public market opens for business and Lord Derby unveils Rainhill's war memorial.
It sounds like Annie Murphy was what we would call an alcoholic who needed treatment and help.
The woman appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 18th charged with stealing household goods belonging to her sister-in-law.
Annie's husband was in the army and currently stationed in central Europe.
So she and her children had come to stay with one of her husband's three sisters in St Helens – but claimed they'd been turned away.
Rose Cragg of Park Road was a widow with six children of her own and told the court why she'd asked her sister-in-law to leave.
Mrs Cragg said that for the first week Annie had not paid her any keep – despite receiving an Army allowance of £1 11s 6d a week, which she drank away.
DC Latus told the court that since the woman had been told to quit her sister-in-law's house, she had stayed in five different lodgings, as her drunken habits led to her being repeatedly ordered to leave.
The officer added that all the goods that Mrs Murphy had stolen from Rose Cragg had been sold – presumably to fund her drunken lifestyle.
When DC Latus had arrested the woman, he said he found her "saturated in spirits".
The Bench bound Annie Murphy over for six months and asked the "lady missionary" to help her.
She was a social worker but help would likely be an instruction to stop drinking, which could be easier said than done.
During the evening of the 18th, a meeting of the newly-formed Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool took place at St Helens Town Hall.
It was a lively event as a group of Communist sympathisers were present and they repeatedly interrupted speeches and caused unruly scenes. The Reporter wrote:
"Mr. Gibson, organiser of the Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool, began by frankly stating that he was determined to squash Communism in St. Helens.
"Cheers and counter cheers followed this announcement, and for some moments there was disorder, during which Mr. Gibson shook the Union Jack to the accompaniment of heckling and counter-cheers."
Mr. Gibson was also quoted as saying: "If the Communist gang present did not want the Union Jack, let them go where the Red Flag was flying."
Statements made by other speakers that Communists in England preached the doctrine of bloody revolution and encouraged the unemployed to violence led to interjections of "lies" and "liar".
The audience was told that Russia was paying Communist leaders in this country and it was decided that a branch of their new counter organisation should be formed in St Helens to help fight the threat.
Another lively affair took place during the same evening at the new boxing venue known as "The Ring" in the Volunteer Hall, which attracted another large audience.
Since the weekly contests had begun in September, men had poured into Mill Street to watch what some called the noble art.
Others might call it the brutal art and with the chief event featuring a man called "Butcher" Moore, gentle contests could not be expected.
However, those hoping to see Butcher spill some blood were in for a disappointment.
He had been unable to travel down from his home in Barrow and so Joe Woods of St Helens – who was described as the former middleweight champion of India – took his place.
However, he was out of condition and was knocked out in the eighth round.
"Burglariously breaking out" of a hotel is the unusual charge that was faced by Michael Maloney on the 19th at the Preston Sessions.
Burglars are, of course, supposed to break into places – not break out – but what if they were already legitimately inside?
Sometimes people would enter a pub, have a drink or two and then when last orders were called, find some place to hide.
Once the doors had been locked and the publican had retired to bed, then the thief would steal some spirits or cash and then "burglariously" break out of the premises.
The 25-year-old Maloney from Market Street in St Helens had done exactly that after hiding in the cellar of the Fleece Hotel in Blackpool and helping himself to whisky and cigarettes.
Unfortunately for him at 4:30am while walking in Topping Street, a policeman stopped him and noticed his pockets were bulky.
When asked what he had got, Maloney replied, "Just a few fags. Have a drink, old sport. I am on my way to Fleetwood to join a ship."
After a struggle the man was locked up and in court sentenced to four months' hard labour.
Last month I stated that the group of men – sometimes called the Unemployed Organisation of St Helens – had called for an increase in the scale of outdoor relief paid to those out of work.
These were means-tested allowances paid under the Poor Law by the Prescot Guardians – who also administered the workhouse at Whiston – when entitlement to unemployment benefit had expired.
Supplementary benefit would probably be the nearest modern-day equivalent.
Single unemployed men (and women) had received no payments from the Prescot Guardians and family men only got 14 shillings a week – with 4 shillings extra for each of their first 3 children and then 3 shillings for each subsequent child.
As a result of the Organisation's campaign, single persons over 18 became entitled to payments of 12s 6d a week and the 14 shillings paid to a man and his wife was lifted to 25 shillings.
If the couple had six children, they would be entitled to 50 shillings a week, compared to 35 shillings previously.
That was a big improvement but rent swallowed up much of the cash and the typical family would have been in much debt and paying high prices for food and clothes in the shops.
As their pressure had worked before, the Unemployed Organisation decided to demand more money and so during the afternoon of the 20th, men marched from St Helens and Widnes to the Prescot Union's offices in Whiston.
At the Theatre Royal throughout this week, a Scottish novelty revue called 'Hooch Aye' was performed in "six spectacular scenes".
The Hippodrome normally offered a range of music hall acts but this week's entertainment was devoted entirely to a circus revue called 'An Eye Opener' featuring over 40 artists and many performing animals.
Adverts said it was "The biggest drawing attraction in the country" and the "largest and most expensive company touring".
On the 21st James Pollock Bagley of 54 Westfield Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with assaulting and beating his niece.
The 47-year-old worked in his wife Sarah's tobacconist's shop that their niece Florence Barnaby partly owned.
The two females are shown living together over the shop in the 1911 census. The trouble began some time later when Sarah married Bagley and he moved in.
Sarah complained that since her marriage her husband had continually beaten her, adding:
"I have been too ashamed to come to court, because it served me right for marrying such a man knowing what sort of a man he was."
However, a string of attacks on her niece had clearly stung Sarah into action – although Bagley had only been summoned for a single assault on Florence.
The 24-year-old told the court that her uncle had rushed at her when she was standing in front of the shop and then struck her.
Florence said he attempted to hit her several more times but passers-by had made him stop. "He has repeatedly assaulted me and made me black and blue", she complained.
Her aunt Sarah also said that her husband was driving people away from the shop by using bad language – a written sample of which was handed to the Bench.
Typically, Bagley denied that he had committed any assault and alleged that Florence had shouted and abused him!
But the magistrates weren't fooled and bound him over for twelve months with a total of £20 in sureties having to be found.
I notice in the wartime census known as the 1939 Register that the couple were still living together in the Westfield Street tobacconist's shop. Let's hope Bagley had learned to control his temper.
The St Helens Reporter wrote that Rainford had been in the "throes of great excitement" on the 21st.
A thousand shoppers from all parts of the district had made their way to waste ground in what was described as Chapel Gardens for the formal opening of Rainford's first public market.
"This was soon over", said the Reporter, "and the thirty stalls were immediately besieged by the prospective buyers. For several hours the various stall holders were kept as busy as bees."
Then during the evening, a Trafalgar Day ball was held in Rainford Village Hall. More than 140 guests attended the event, with proceeds in aid of the St Helens and District Welfare Society for the Blind.
In charge of the organisation, was Rainford's remarkable blind councillor James Eden (shown above) who ensured that the hall was florally decorated to – as the Reporter put it – a "charming effect".
On the 22nd rising rugby union star Douglas Cook of Lingholme Road played in a trial match at Aigburth and so impressed the selectors that he was immediately picked to play for Lancashire in their forthcoming game against Cheshire.
However, during the Aigburth match he had been kicked in the stomach and some hours later became ill.
On the following day a life-saving operation took place at the Pilkington Special Hospital in Borough Road.
Although the surgery was declared a success, the young man was still considered to be in a very critical condition.
Also on the 22nd, Lord Derby unveiled the Rainhill war memorial at the junction of Warrington Road and St James Road.
In addition to the obelisk containing 34 names, a children's recreation ground was being created, the site having been donated anonymously in what was described as a peace offering.
Referring indirectly to the present friction in the country, Lord Derby told those gathered for the unveiling:
"We might learn one lesson from the sacrifice made by these men. They suffered and died without heed to any differences in religion or any of those matters which divide us in our home life.
"They thought only of doing their duty to their country. Surely we might bring into our lives at the present moment some of that feeling and drop some of our petty differences, and think only of the country of which we were a part and for which these men died?
"These memorials are good, but the best tribute we could give our men would be to work together for the common good of the country and for the welfare and prosperity of the people."
On the same day Fred Goodson's "Grand Opening" of their new St Helens store occurred. There might be a depression with many folk not able to put food on their table – but not everyone was suffering.
The ladies' costumiers specialised in fur coats and evening gowns.
From the 24th Charlie Chaplin's new film called 'The Kid' was screened at two St Helens picture houses.
The silent about Chaplin's tramp character finding an abandoned child is considered one of his best.
"At Enormous Expense", said Griffins Pictures of Ormskirk Street (which became the Scala in 1924) in their Reporter ad.
Meanwhile the strapline of the Oxford Picturedrome in Duke Street was "Charlie's Latest and Greatest Production".
Next week's stories will include the Nutgrove miner who thought he didn't have to pay rent while on strike, the Dentons Green baby hidden inside a tin box, the Windle Motor Company of Duke Street advertise the Ford Sedan, the stolen Sutton army surplus and good news for the rising rugby star of Lingholme Road.
It sounds like Annie Murphy was what we would call an alcoholic who needed treatment and help.
The woman appeared in St Helens Police Court on the 18th charged with stealing household goods belonging to her sister-in-law.
Annie's husband was in the army and currently stationed in central Europe.
So she and her children had come to stay with one of her husband's three sisters in St Helens – but claimed they'd been turned away.
Rose Cragg of Park Road was a widow with six children of her own and told the court why she'd asked her sister-in-law to leave.
Mrs Cragg said that for the first week Annie had not paid her any keep – despite receiving an Army allowance of £1 11s 6d a week, which she drank away.
DC Latus told the court that since the woman had been told to quit her sister-in-law's house, she had stayed in five different lodgings, as her drunken habits led to her being repeatedly ordered to leave.
The officer added that all the goods that Mrs Murphy had stolen from Rose Cragg had been sold – presumably to fund her drunken lifestyle.
When DC Latus had arrested the woman, he said he found her "saturated in spirits".
The Bench bound Annie Murphy over for six months and asked the "lady missionary" to help her.
She was a social worker but help would likely be an instruction to stop drinking, which could be easier said than done.
During the evening of the 18th, a meeting of the newly-formed Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool took place at St Helens Town Hall.
It was a lively event as a group of Communist sympathisers were present and they repeatedly interrupted speeches and caused unruly scenes. The Reporter wrote:
"Mr. Gibson, organiser of the Anti-Communist Union of Liverpool, began by frankly stating that he was determined to squash Communism in St. Helens.
"Cheers and counter cheers followed this announcement, and for some moments there was disorder, during which Mr. Gibson shook the Union Jack to the accompaniment of heckling and counter-cheers."
Mr. Gibson was also quoted as saying: "If the Communist gang present did not want the Union Jack, let them go where the Red Flag was flying."
Statements made by other speakers that Communists in England preached the doctrine of bloody revolution and encouraged the unemployed to violence led to interjections of "lies" and "liar".
The audience was told that Russia was paying Communist leaders in this country and it was decided that a branch of their new counter organisation should be formed in St Helens to help fight the threat.
Another lively affair took place during the same evening at the new boxing venue known as "The Ring" in the Volunteer Hall, which attracted another large audience.
Since the weekly contests had begun in September, men had poured into Mill Street to watch what some called the noble art.
Others might call it the brutal art and with the chief event featuring a man called "Butcher" Moore, gentle contests could not be expected.
However, those hoping to see Butcher spill some blood were in for a disappointment.
He had been unable to travel down from his home in Barrow and so Joe Woods of St Helens – who was described as the former middleweight champion of India – took his place.
However, he was out of condition and was knocked out in the eighth round.
"Burglariously breaking out" of a hotel is the unusual charge that was faced by Michael Maloney on the 19th at the Preston Sessions.
Burglars are, of course, supposed to break into places – not break out – but what if they were already legitimately inside?
Sometimes people would enter a pub, have a drink or two and then when last orders were called, find some place to hide.
Once the doors had been locked and the publican had retired to bed, then the thief would steal some spirits or cash and then "burglariously" break out of the premises.
The 25-year-old Maloney from Market Street in St Helens had done exactly that after hiding in the cellar of the Fleece Hotel in Blackpool and helping himself to whisky and cigarettes.
Unfortunately for him at 4:30am while walking in Topping Street, a policeman stopped him and noticed his pockets were bulky.
When asked what he had got, Maloney replied, "Just a few fags. Have a drink, old sport. I am on my way to Fleetwood to join a ship."
After a struggle the man was locked up and in court sentenced to four months' hard labour.
Last month I stated that the group of men – sometimes called the Unemployed Organisation of St Helens – had called for an increase in the scale of outdoor relief paid to those out of work.
These were means-tested allowances paid under the Poor Law by the Prescot Guardians – who also administered the workhouse at Whiston – when entitlement to unemployment benefit had expired.
Supplementary benefit would probably be the nearest modern-day equivalent.
Single unemployed men (and women) had received no payments from the Prescot Guardians and family men only got 14 shillings a week – with 4 shillings extra for each of their first 3 children and then 3 shillings for each subsequent child.
As a result of the Organisation's campaign, single persons over 18 became entitled to payments of 12s 6d a week and the 14 shillings paid to a man and his wife was lifted to 25 shillings.
If the couple had six children, they would be entitled to 50 shillings a week, compared to 35 shillings previously.
That was a big improvement but rent swallowed up much of the cash and the typical family would have been in much debt and paying high prices for food and clothes in the shops.
As their pressure had worked before, the Unemployed Organisation decided to demand more money and so during the afternoon of the 20th, men marched from St Helens and Widnes to the Prescot Union's offices in Whiston.
At the Theatre Royal throughout this week, a Scottish novelty revue called 'Hooch Aye' was performed in "six spectacular scenes".
The Hippodrome normally offered a range of music hall acts but this week's entertainment was devoted entirely to a circus revue called 'An Eye Opener' featuring over 40 artists and many performing animals.
Adverts said it was "The biggest drawing attraction in the country" and the "largest and most expensive company touring".
On the 21st James Pollock Bagley of 54 Westfield Street appeared in St Helens Police Court charged with assaulting and beating his niece.
The 47-year-old worked in his wife Sarah's tobacconist's shop that their niece Florence Barnaby partly owned.
The two females are shown living together over the shop in the 1911 census. The trouble began some time later when Sarah married Bagley and he moved in.
Sarah complained that since her marriage her husband had continually beaten her, adding:
"I have been too ashamed to come to court, because it served me right for marrying such a man knowing what sort of a man he was."
However, a string of attacks on her niece had clearly stung Sarah into action – although Bagley had only been summoned for a single assault on Florence.
The 24-year-old told the court that her uncle had rushed at her when she was standing in front of the shop and then struck her.
Florence said he attempted to hit her several more times but passers-by had made him stop. "He has repeatedly assaulted me and made me black and blue", she complained.
Her aunt Sarah also said that her husband was driving people away from the shop by using bad language – a written sample of which was handed to the Bench.
Typically, Bagley denied that he had committed any assault and alleged that Florence had shouted and abused him!
But the magistrates weren't fooled and bound him over for twelve months with a total of £20 in sureties having to be found.
I notice in the wartime census known as the 1939 Register that the couple were still living together in the Westfield Street tobacconist's shop. Let's hope Bagley had learned to control his temper.
The St Helens Reporter wrote that Rainford had been in the "throes of great excitement" on the 21st.
A thousand shoppers from all parts of the district had made their way to waste ground in what was described as Chapel Gardens for the formal opening of Rainford's first public market.
"This was soon over", said the Reporter, "and the thirty stalls were immediately besieged by the prospective buyers. For several hours the various stall holders were kept as busy as bees."
Then during the evening, a Trafalgar Day ball was held in Rainford Village Hall. More than 140 guests attended the event, with proceeds in aid of the St Helens and District Welfare Society for the Blind.
On the 22nd rising rugby union star Douglas Cook of Lingholme Road played in a trial match at Aigburth and so impressed the selectors that he was immediately picked to play for Lancashire in their forthcoming game against Cheshire.
However, during the Aigburth match he had been kicked in the stomach and some hours later became ill.
On the following day a life-saving operation took place at the Pilkington Special Hospital in Borough Road.
Although the surgery was declared a success, the young man was still considered to be in a very critical condition.
Also on the 22nd, Lord Derby unveiled the Rainhill war memorial at the junction of Warrington Road and St James Road.
In addition to the obelisk containing 34 names, a children's recreation ground was being created, the site having been donated anonymously in what was described as a peace offering.
Referring indirectly to the present friction in the country, Lord Derby told those gathered for the unveiling:
"We might learn one lesson from the sacrifice made by these men. They suffered and died without heed to any differences in religion or any of those matters which divide us in our home life.
"They thought only of doing their duty to their country. Surely we might bring into our lives at the present moment some of that feeling and drop some of our petty differences, and think only of the country of which we were a part and for which these men died?
"These memorials are good, but the best tribute we could give our men would be to work together for the common good of the country and for the welfare and prosperity of the people."
On the same day Fred Goodson's "Grand Opening" of their new St Helens store occurred. There might be a depression with many folk not able to put food on their table – but not everyone was suffering.
The ladies' costumiers specialised in fur coats and evening gowns.
The silent about Chaplin's tramp character finding an abandoned child is considered one of his best.
"At Enormous Expense", said Griffins Pictures of Ormskirk Street (which became the Scala in 1924) in their Reporter ad.
Meanwhile the strapline of the Oxford Picturedrome in Duke Street was "Charlie's Latest and Greatest Production".
Next week's stories will include the Nutgrove miner who thought he didn't have to pay rent while on strike, the Dentons Green baby hidden inside a tin box, the Windle Motor Company of Duke Street advertise the Ford Sedan, the stolen Sutton army surplus and good news for the rising rugby star of Lingholme Road.