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Monty enters stage left and waits for audience applause.....not a sausage.
OK, Greg,
Each committee had its own variation on patrolling. Basically they were split into pairs with one or two at fixed points. They organised themselves in a very similar fashion to the Police. They liaised with the Police often, passing on information or suspicions. The majority of Bobbies welcomed this however a report in the Irish Times of Sept 17th does show a few PCs resented the Vigilantes, probably with just cause as some of the Vigilants held an air of superiority over the locals. The report, given by a bobby, reads:-
It won’t last a month. They’ll get little help – at last no more help than anyone else – from our chaps: and if they get interfering with respectable people our men will ‘run them in’ as a caution for future behaviour. With regard to the roughs, well all I can say is ‘they will have a high old time of it’ and to the benefit of our men. They can, to use their own words, ‘smell a fly copper’ – i.e. plain clothes man; and when they get hold of an ‘amateur’ or two, God help the amateurs! Kicking a regular policeman is a pleasure at any time not lightly to be spoken of, but the chances of ‘booting’ the head or ribs of an amateur ‘slop’ will afford a new and indescribable pleasure, and one to be indulged in on every possible occasion. These ‘vigilants’ will be looked upon as ‘coppers noses’ or ‘coppers narks’ – i.e. police informers – and to use the roughs own words, ‘a copper’ is bad enough, but his nark!’ – well, kill him, and that is about what he will get, or something very near it. They have forgotten one thing in their outfit, and that is an ‘ambulance’ – that will be wanted oftener than truncheons. At least I think so.
The hours of work varied. At their height, the Mile End Vigilance Committee had 50 men on their books 12 of these men a an intimate knowledge of the area and were chosen to lead these patrols. Patrols were noted, routes planned and anything suspicious pencilled in a notebook. Beats were undertaken as soon as the men finished their working day. These beats were finnished around 4 or 5am, in some cases when day broke. Now some of these men had a days work, these chaps tended to finish earlier, however those who could commit to a daybreak finished did so. These men equipped themselves with lanterns, sticks and something the Police never had, rubber soled boots.
The senior members of the Commitee, Aarons, Lusk etc, stayed behind of an evening to tackle various issues such as a reward appeal and future beats. When these meeting were concluded these men would patrol the area themselves, ensuring those on the beat were conducting themselves correctly. Again, this was influenced by the Police. They held regualr meeting with the Police and took advice from them also.
Members were, I believe, logged into a book whoever I dont think they were vetted to any great degree. I know many men who were unable to find work in the day voluenteered for vigilance work at night because on some occaisions tea and buns were supplied as refreshments.
They also hired Private Dectective. Toms man Le Grand was one of these alongside Batchelor. These men were hired more to investigate than patrol and Im sure Tom could explain more.
Now these were the committees. Along with those we have the 'Amatuers' or 'Independants'. Probably the most well know of these was Dr William Holt, the white eyed man. These guys worked on their own and were often more a hinderance as they were often watched by other vigilantes and Police due to their suspicious behavoir.
Finally we have the News reporters who did a bit of sleuthing not for public gain but more to find titbits to use in their papers.
I hope this covers some of your questions.
Monty
OK, Greg,
It makes one wonder what were the rules or strategies of the VC? Was it like kids playing hide and seek..........you two guys take Berner St.....you three guys work commercial road..split up and meet in the middle.........stuff like that....I wonder if anyone knows how they went about there surveillance....? How many were there? How long did they stay out?
It won’t last a month. They’ll get little help – at last no more help than anyone else – from our chaps: and if they get interfering with respectable people our men will ‘run them in’ as a caution for future behaviour. With regard to the roughs, well all I can say is ‘they will have a high old time of it’ and to the benefit of our men. They can, to use their own words, ‘smell a fly copper’ – i.e. plain clothes man; and when they get hold of an ‘amateur’ or two, God help the amateurs! Kicking a regular policeman is a pleasure at any time not lightly to be spoken of, but the chances of ‘booting’ the head or ribs of an amateur ‘slop’ will afford a new and indescribable pleasure, and one to be indulged in on every possible occasion. These ‘vigilants’ will be looked upon as ‘coppers noses’ or ‘coppers narks’ – i.e. police informers – and to use the roughs own words, ‘a copper’ is bad enough, but his nark!’ – well, kill him, and that is about what he will get, or something very near it. They have forgotten one thing in their outfit, and that is an ‘ambulance’ – that will be wanted oftener than truncheons. At least I think so.
The hours of work varied. At their height, the Mile End Vigilance Committee had 50 men on their books 12 of these men a an intimate knowledge of the area and were chosen to lead these patrols. Patrols were noted, routes planned and anything suspicious pencilled in a notebook. Beats were undertaken as soon as the men finished their working day. These beats were finnished around 4 or 5am, in some cases when day broke. Now some of these men had a days work, these chaps tended to finish earlier, however those who could commit to a daybreak finished did so. These men equipped themselves with lanterns, sticks and something the Police never had, rubber soled boots.
The senior members of the Commitee, Aarons, Lusk etc, stayed behind of an evening to tackle various issues such as a reward appeal and future beats. When these meeting were concluded these men would patrol the area themselves, ensuring those on the beat were conducting themselves correctly. Again, this was influenced by the Police. They held regualr meeting with the Police and took advice from them also.
Members were, I believe, logged into a book whoever I dont think they were vetted to any great degree. I know many men who were unable to find work in the day voluenteered for vigilance work at night because on some occaisions tea and buns were supplied as refreshments.
They also hired Private Dectective. Toms man Le Grand was one of these alongside Batchelor. These men were hired more to investigate than patrol and Im sure Tom could explain more.
Now these were the committees. Along with those we have the 'Amatuers' or 'Independants'. Probably the most well know of these was Dr William Holt, the white eyed man. These guys worked on their own and were often more a hinderance as they were often watched by other vigilantes and Police due to their suspicious behavoir.
Finally we have the News reporters who did a bit of sleuthing not for public gain but more to find titbits to use in their papers.
I hope this covers some of your questions.
Monty
Cheers,
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