- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 18:45
In May 1926 there was a general strike lasting nine days, after which the other
workers returned to their employment leaving the miners to fight on alone. The
strike was relatively peaceful until Monday 13 October when coal was wound for the first time at Pemberton Colliery. A crowd estimated at 2,000 had gathered and Mr. Pey, expecting trouble, ordered the crowd to disperse, then led his officers in a baton charge. This was the only incident in which the police had to use force, and became known as “... the battle of Enfield Street.” Allegations were made that women standing at their doors and onlookers were struck, but nobody needed hospital treatment. Wigan’s MP, John Allen Parkinson, tried to bring up the matter in Parliament but was ruled out of order by the speaker. There is no doubt that in the opinion of one writer, the incident “...soured relations between the police and that community for a generation.” Throughout the strike, Mr. Pey never left the town and on occasions slept at the police station. In 1927 he was given the OBE for his services during the strike.
workers returned to their employment leaving the miners to fight on alone. The
strike was relatively peaceful until Monday 13 October when coal was wound for the first time at Pemberton Colliery. A crowd estimated at 2,000 had gathered and Mr. Pey, expecting trouble, ordered the crowd to disperse, then led his officers in a baton charge. This was the only incident in which the police had to use force, and became known as “... the battle of Enfield Street.” Allegations were made that women standing at their doors and onlookers were struck, but nobody needed hospital treatment. Wigan’s MP, John Allen Parkinson, tried to bring up the matter in Parliament but was ruled out of order by the speaker. There is no doubt that in the opinion of one writer, the incident “...soured relations between the police and that community for a generation.” Throughout the strike, Mr. Pey never left the town and on occasions slept at the police station. In 1927 he was given the OBE for his services during the strike.
- GuestGuest
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 18:53
Good, informative thread. Cheers, me dear. 

- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 19:02
Most welcome.
The Mr Pey mentioned is of course Tom Pey, Chief Constable of Wigan, 1921-46.
The Mr Pey mentioned is of course Tom Pey, Chief Constable of Wigan, 1921-46.
- GuestGuest
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 19:04
Yes he is. He was seen walking on sticks....
- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 19:09
Seems you're getting above them now.

- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 19:13
- GuestGuest
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Fri Nov 02 2018, 19:16



Small, frail, leather coat wearing, elderly males with brown labradors need not apply.
- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 10:17
Haha.



- GuestGuest
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 13:45
I've learned something new today. I always thought the police had alsatians.

- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 17:19
Could someone point MarieM on WW to this excellent post.
Is she not a member here?
Is she not a member here?
- marieM
- Posts : 1007
Join date : 2013-12-10
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 18:49
Joseph, thank you so much for this information. I have been dying to know what it was since Jarvo mentioned it. I thought he was joking.
- maureen
- Posts : 3739
Join date : 2014-07-28
Location : Wigan
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 19:32
Marie,I sent you an email at 6-10 to have a look on here, seeing that Jarvo wasn't going to reply to you.
- GuestGuest
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 19:36
Nice one, Maureen. Frail old men need their rest. 

- maureen
- Posts : 3739
Join date : 2014-07-28
Location : Wigan
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 19:38
True Mac..true

- AdminAdmin
- Posts : 48086
Join date : 2013-12-04
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sat Nov 03 2018, 22:41
Good thread, thanks Joseph.
- AdminAdmin
- Posts : 48086
Join date : 2013-12-04
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sun Nov 04 2018, 13:25


Link
- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Sun Nov 04 2018, 20:28
You're most welcome folks.
Incidentally the allegations of police brutality was unfounded as only a couple of people were knocked over in the charge, the riot act was read and most folk went home, no beatings were given out and no battle occurred. It was an excellent execution of a police action on an unruly mob, Mr Pey was commended for his action and the control of his men.
Incidentally the allegations of police brutality was unfounded as only a couple of people were knocked over in the charge, the riot act was read and most folk went home, no beatings were given out and no battle occurred. It was an excellent execution of a police action on an unruly mob, Mr Pey was commended for his action and the control of his men.
- Joseph
- Posts : 13564
Join date : 2013-12-05
Location : On't Petty
Re: The Battle Of Enfield Street 1926
on Mon Nov 19 2018, 13:27
I bet they wished they had Chief Constable Tom Pey and his lads up there now.
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
|
|