Abberline's walking stick. Another twirl of:

[mpriestnall]

Just a quick question:

Was Abberline the only recipient of the walking stick or did his seven other brother officers also receive the same?

I heard this from someone who I consider a reliable source. Just looking for confirmation or otherwise...

If they all received the identical walking stick, then this may argue for a gift of more symbolic meaning. Or not, as the case be.

Martyn

[mpriestnall]

Not that quick then...

[DJA]

He had a problem with his right leg.

[mpriestnall]

He had nothing against it?

[Simon Wood]

When the walking stick was on display at Bramshill Police Training College, it was accompanied by a descriptive card, which read, "Whilst the murderer was never identified, it is known that Inspector Abberline favoured the theory that the Ripper was a Dr. Alexander Pedachenko or Ostrog, an alleged Russian anarchist living in the London area at the time, and the head of the stick may well be based on his features.”"

Someone at Bramshill had been reading too much Ripper fiction.

The walking stick is currently at the National Police Library, Sunningdale Park, Berkshire.

[DJA]

Seven officers presented it to him in 1888.

Purportedly,the head of the stick was based on Dr Alexander Pedachenko.

[mpriestnall]

*Deleted*

[Simon Wood]

Abberline's Magnificent Seven were named in The Times, 12th November 1888—

“Since the murders in Berner Street, St. George’s, and Mitre Square, Aldgate, on September 30, Detective Inspectors Reid, Moore, Nairn [Nearn], Sergeants Thicke [sic], Godley, M’Carthy and [Albert] 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.”

[mpriestnall]

Thanks Simon.

Dave C. at the Whitechapel Society told me, if I remember correctly, that all 8 eight officers received a walking stick each.

It's was suggested on other walking stick threads here on CB, the walking stick didnt depict JTR and was just an off-the-shelf gift.

My line of thought was that if all 8 officers each received the identical stick, that might argue towards the gift having some "symbolic value", whatever that might be.

Martyn

[mpriestnall]

I don't believe the first part of the card's description "Whilst the murderer was never identified...".

I've stated elsewhere his identity was known to the authorities during or just after the murders.

I think we both believe the way the WMs are presented is so much BS, but for different reasons.

Martyn

[Herlock Sholmes]

He had nothing against it?

I sense a Peter Cook and Dudley Moore joke pending

[mpriestnall]

I sense a Peter Cook and Dudley Moore joke pending

I knew either yourself or maybe Sam would get the reference!

Martyn

[Michael W Richards]

Abberline's Magnificent Seven were named in The Times, 12th November 1888—

“Since the murders in Berner Street, St. George’s, and Mitre Square, Aldgate, on September 30, Detective Inspectors Reid, Moore, Nairn [Nearn], Sergeants Thicke [sic], Godley, M’Carthy and [Albert] 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.”

Hi Simon,

Ive wondered if that Pearce is also the Mitre square resident.

[Monty]

No. That Pearce was City

DC Pearce, H Division CID

Monty