Merseyside River Police

[vickim]

Hi- Am looking for any information in regards to riots in Liverpool sometime after the First World War. I have no exact dates.
THOMAS COATES was a policeman with the River Police and received head injury as a result of being hit by a baton.
Unable after a while  to work his wife (MARY CHARLOTTE nee HOLLYWOOD) brought him and their 3 children to New Zealand as she thought the opportunities for raising and supporting a family were greater.

Many thanks
Vicki

[Scottiedog]

Liverpool's seen quite a number of riots over the years.

Could this have been the race riots 1919?

Les

[liverpool annie]

Hi Vicki ! as Les said ........ I think this is it ..... but it doesn't mention names !!

The rioting first broke out in Liverpool on Thursday 5th June. It began in a pub when a Coloured man picked up a glass of beer and threw it at a group of Scandinavians at another table: "The Scandinavians left the premises and in the street were assaulted by the coloured men with sticks, knives, razors and pieces of iron torn from lampposts."

The Blacks then went on a general rampage, assaulting three old men and a policeman. A crowd of about 2,000 Whites gathered, but were dispersed by the police. The Blacks were not grateful for their rescue, however, and showed their resentment of police interference by shooting one policeman in the mouth and slashing another across the face with a razor

Rioting broke out again on Sunday 8th June. An account of subsequent court proceedings said that a Coloured man had been running along the street waving an iron bar and shouting "Down with the white race." The account continued: "White men appear determined to clear out the blacks, who have been advised to remain indoors. This counsel many of them disregard, and late on Sunday a large body of police had to be requisitioned to prevent serious consequences. Whenever a negro was seen he was chased and, if caught, severely beaten..."

http://www.heretical.com/British/riot1919.html

[vickim]

Hi Les and Liverpool Annie
Many thanks for your replies- very interesting.The time line seems to fit as the boys were born between 1913 and 1917. As yet I haven't been able to find his death/burial here in New Zealand so that is a work in progress.
Hadn't realised there had been riots there other than the General strike and depression years.
Thomas was apparently hit with a 'baton'- hard to know if it was 'friendly' or otherwise. Will follow up on the links you have both given me and once again thank you very much. Appreciate your time.Cheers VICKI

[goggy]

Vicki.
Didn't know that there were River Police on the Mersey!Worked on the river,consorted with Docker;s,drank in the dockside pub's,and came from family employed in this honourable proffession,never heard of that branch of the 'Scuffer's' though!
There is,somewhere in "Google",a Police Historical site,died on duty etc:Iwill 'ave a shufti and get back to you!
Something learned!!!!
              Goggy.

[goggy]

Vicky.Quick look through roll of honour only record's death's,all area's of Meseyside,so,'ad another think,and came up with Port Police,as distinct from River Police.These are what we called the gate police,on duty at each Dock entrance/exit.With which I was VERY familiar!
They alway's had cold hand's!!!!
Nothing there either,all area's,sorry,but now you may have a better idea of thing's?
                Goggy.

[goggy]

Further thought's on this came up with the possible area involved.Thank's to Liverpool Annies posting.
The South end of the 'Pool Dock's,King's+Queen's Dock's,where ship's from the Sandinavian area with timber for pit props docked,plus ship's from Africa and thereabout's with the 'exotic fruit's'Banana's etc:
This area also had an African population,which
as far as I know still exist's.
'Scuse the wandering's!
         Goggy.

[robbo46]

don't know if this helps

During the First World War with the sinking of the Lusitania and the loss of a great number of lives, which included many Merseysiders amongst the crew, including Litherland men - rioting broke out in Liverpool. The rioting quickly spread through the districts from Scotland Road, along Stanley Road eventually reaching Linacre Road and down Bridge Road. Many German owned properties and businesses were attacked, ransacked and looted in Litherland. The police eventually making a baton charge on Linacre Road to disperse the rioters and make arrests. During the rioting in Litherland a mob attacked the Dimler home in Litherland Park causing damage to the property.
The following is an extract from the Crosby Herald, with regard to the attack on the Dimler home.
(I've withheld the name of the offender and his address in Seaforth)

Extract from the Crosby Herald 22nd March 1915:
One of the chief sufferers by the rioting was Mr W. Dimler, a naturalised British Subject, of Litherland Park, whose shops in Liverpool and Bootle were entirely smashed. When news came that the disorder was spreading on Monday, Mrs Dimler and her household left the residence early on Monday evening. It was as well for them that they did, for later at night the mob paid a visit to the premises, and finding the house deserted and locked up commenced to demolish everything they could. The windows were smashed, and considerable damage was done at the rear of the house. Detective Inspector Fyles and P.C. Mason were called to the place, and despite the hostile attitude of the crowd they succeeded in arresting a man named C. N. of Seaforth, who is alleged to have attempted to set fire to the house by lighting a bundle of rags in one of the back rooms the window of which had been broken. Another rioter was also seized by the police, but the attitude of the crowd was so threatening, and their resistance so determined, that the man was able to get away from his captors.

The man whose arrest is recorded above came before the Bench at the County Magistrates Court the following day. C. N., who lodges in Seaforth, was charged with attempting to set fire to a dwelling-house in Litherland Park, the property of Mrs Dimler.

from this site
 http://litherland.mysite.wanadoo-members.co.uk/album_5/pages/seaview_house.htm

[vickim]

Hi Robbo and Goggy
I am sorry aboout the delay-nonetheless I am absolutely fascinated with all the information you have found.Sadly I am still none the wiser about exact details of where Thomas was or when he was injured.  Still having trouble finding his death date-and place here in N Z so that search still goes on-.
As I said in one of my earlier postings I had no idea of the other riotings other than the during the Depression and the General Strike.  Even if I don't get much further on I have had a brilliant history lesson. Although a thought just occurs to me- I wonder if hospital records would be of use- but how to access them or even know which one (s?) there are? Many thanks for your time and energy- I do appreciate it enormously.Regards Vicki