James Stockley

[Phil Carter]

Hello all,

http://www.casebook.org/forum/messages/4924/7189.html

The final posting on this old thread is a s follows..


kristylawson
Unregistered guest

Posted on Thursday, September 29, 2005 - 12:38 am:

hello,
my great great grandfather was named James Stockley. I've always been told by Grandparents that he was one of "the big five" to work on jack the Ripper's case... does anyone know anything of this... or does that name ring any bells? Also, was it common for these police officers to have alias' or other names? because we've also been told that he was undercover, but worked until retirement on the jack the ripper case... i've looked for hours without coming up with too much...
thanks in advance for any info...
kristy

By sheer chance, I was looking through old Daily Express issues today.

From 6th June 1934, page 1, there is a comment referring to another case in the USA. In the article, there is a mention of James Stockley, a bodyguard of sorts of the millionairess Mrs Florence Adelaide Pratt.
Here it is mentioned that he was a former Scotland Yard Chief Inspector, prominent in the hunt for Jack the Ripper.

If anyone knows of or the whereabouts of this Kirsty Lawson, would they please be kind enough to pass this snippet of information on to her?

An additional question. Do we know of a James Stockley in connection with the case?

best wishes

Phil

[Simon Wood]

Hi Phil,

Amongst other cases, Detective Inspector James Stockley investigated the 1908 "Bloomsbury Murder" of Esther Prager.

He was born in 1863. In 1932, aged 79, he was willed US$14,000 a year for life. Lucky chap.

I've got a few Ripperological bits and bobs about him which I'll dig out and post.

Regards,

Simon

[Phil Carter]

Hello Simon,

Many thanks indeed. One hopes that this "kirsty lawson" can be traced and informed.

best wishes

Phil

[mklhawley]

Excellent catch Phil. It looks like he visited New York in 1900:

The Saint Paul Globe, October 21, 1900
IS A SON OF SIR EDWIN.
Julian Arnold Will Be Returned to England for Trial.
New York, Oct. 20 –Inspectors James Stockley and James Kyd, of Scotland Yard, London, arrived in this city today and…

The Evening Times, Octobler 22, 1900
A POET’S SON UNDER ARREST.
Julian T. Biddulph Arnold Accused of Embezzlement.
New York, Oct. 20 - …Arnold made a hard fight for freedom. He retained the best legal talent in San Francisco, and battled desperately against extradition, but the case against him was pressed by Vice Consul Moor, representing Lord Pauncefote, the British Ambassador, and his extradition was finally ordered. James Stockley and James Kyd, of Scotland Yard, London, arrived in New York on Saturday, and visited Captain McClusky in Poice Headquarters. They explained to the Chief of the Detective Bureau that they had been sent here to take Arnold back to London, and would await has arrival. They are now at the Broadway Central Hotel, and have booked passage for Arnold and themselves on a steamer sailing next Saturday


How intriguing that this man may have had a large role in the case, yet it was purposely kept from the public.

Sincerely,

Mike

[mklhawley]

...and it looks like he even worked with Inspector Frank Froest, another man that admitted to working on the Ripper case and was even on Tumblety's charge sheet. This was difficult to read:

The Law Journal, Volume 35, 1901 (p. 224)
…diamond buying at Cape Town, an offence there punishable with twelve month’s hard labour. Detective-inspector Froest deposed that at eight o’clock on the morning of the 25th inst. He boarded the steamship (?) at Southampton Docks, accompanied by Detective-sergeant Stockley, of Scotland Yard, and Inspector Allison of the Southampton police. He saw the prisoner receive a packet from Mr. Patinew (?) the captain’s clerk. The witness said to the prisoner, ‘I am an inspector of police, and I want to know the contents of that package.’ The prisoner replied, ‘Diamonds’…


Mike

[Phil Carter]

Hello Mike,

Many thanks..and to you too for additional info. I look forward to Simon's findings too. Froest eh? Hmmm

best wishes

Phil

[mklhawley]

Hi Phil,

Let's say that 'The Big Five' was not just a family embellishment, I could see Stockley not referring to Scotland Yard superiors, such as Swanson and Anderson, but to detective inspectors and even detective sergeants on the street, just as he was. Since Stockley's descendent stated he worked on the case for so long, could 'The Big Five' have been referring to five detectives that also continued to work on the case?

What do you think?

Mike

[Phil Carter]

Hello Mike,

Well, what comes to mind is the seven men helping Abberline as stated on that walking stick he was presented with...... hmmm


best wishes

Phil

[Simon Wood]

Hi All,

The Times, Monday 12th November 1888—

"Since the murders in Berner-street, St. George's, and Mitre-square, Aldgate, on September 30, Detective-Inspectors Reid, Moore, Nairn, plus Sergeants Thicke, Godley, M'Carthy and Pearce have been constantly engaged, under the direction of Inspector Abberline (Scotland-yard), in prosecuting inquiries, but, unfortunately, up to the present time without any practical result.

That makes seven.

Perhaps the seven who presented FGA with his walking stick.



No mention of James Stockley.

Just as an aside, an unsolved crime is an odd thing to commemorate.

Regards,

Simon

[Phil Carter]

Hello Simon,

Lovely aside, thank you.

I am always intrigued by the inscription..

"..as a mark of esteem by 7 officers engaged with him in the Whitechapel murders of 1888" (my emphasis)

Some people have a sense of humour....

best wishes

Phil

[Bridewell]

The Big Five

Hi Phil,

That was a good spot in the Daily Express.

Might Kirsty Lawson have been slightly misinformed? Perhaps "The Big Five" was a euphemism for the canonical victims, rather than the officers who worked on the investigation?

Regards, Bridewell.

[Phil Carter]

Hi Phil,

That was a good spot in the Daily Express.

Might Kirsty Lawson have been slightly misinformed? Perhaps "The Big Five" was a euphemism for the canonical victims, rather than the officers who worked on the investigation?

Regards, Bridewell.

Hello Colin,

Thank you.
Very possibly..but we won't know unless someone gets in contact with her. I wonder if someone in Admin can help by sending a copy of this thread to the IP addie she logged in with?..long shot... any other suggestions?

best wishes

Phil

[Bridewell]

Email?

Hello Colin,

Thank you.
Very possibly..but we won't know unless someone gets in contact with her. I wonder if someone in Admin can help by sending a copy of this thread to the IP addie she logged in with?..long shot... any other suggestions?

best wishes

Phil

Hi Phil,

Have you tried the email option for Addie - just in case she still uses the same address?

Regards, Bridewell.

[Phil Carter]

Hi Phil,

Have you tried the email option for Addie - just in case she still uses the same address?

Regards, Bridewell.

Hello Colin,

Yes, done. Thank you.

best wishes

Phil

[Phil Carter]

Hi Phil,

Have you tried the email option for Addie - just in case she still uses the same address?

Regards, Bridewell.

Hello Colin,

Sadly, I have been informed by Admin that 7 years would mean that the addie is on the old boards, and have not been kept.
However when I clicked on the name I was able to find an email addie. I have sent an email to the address and hopefully a response will be forthcoming.

best wishes

Phil

best wishes

Phil