Extract from “Documents on The Great Unrest 1893-1920”
George F Sykes & Annabel Macmillan
New York 2011
A partial version of these notes, written in Charles Blenkinsopp's hand, was found, purely by chance, inside a book purchased from a second hand bookshop in Shrewsbury in 2002. Had the purchaser not been one of the editors of this volume (AM) it is likely that their significance would not have been recognised and they would have been lost. As it was, it was clear that they represented some missing pages from an existing item in the Arrow Agency Archives held by Durham University.
Even in their reunited form the notes are disjointed, partially illegible and still incomplete. It is not clear if they were based on meetings between Arrow and Blenkinsopp or were simply Blenkinsopp's own notes as an aide memoire for his meetings with Carson. Whatever their genesis they reveal hitherto unknown links between Arrow's Inquiry Agency and the growth of uniformed paramilitary organisations in Britain in the first quarter of the 20th century.
The notes as found
***
- riots and unions threaten Union
- desertions from Territorials
- indecisive and weak gov
- {illegible}
- {illegible}
- UUC and Covenant positive
- UVF firm control & willing to act
- need strong hand to take control
- CF can do same (Tilbury!) but must grow
- Agreement CF/UVF? Or UUC?
- UUC too narrow? - British Union movement? Council of British Unionists similar to UUC?
Propose:
- Create Council of British Unionists – UUC involved but {illegible} right of independent action
- CBU and UUC agree memorandum of understanding
- CBU launch new Covenant for Union and Empire – swear allegiance to King, Empire and {illegible}
- CF places itself under CBU in same manner as UVF/UUC – must recruit!! - A[rrow – Ed] has some good men
- More delicate work also needed - use UVF – or A's men?
No time to lose.
The discovery of Blenkinsopp's notes prompted fresh trawls through the correspondence of the principal architects of Unionism – in particular Carson in Ireland, but also Crawford and others associated with the gunrunning into Ulster and the establishment of the UVF and in England Arrow, Blenkinsopp and others involved in the senior echelons of the CF. Archives of the Conservative Party at the time remain closed, but access was given to numerous family archives.
Timeline
Insights gained from the notes has enabled the construction of a timeline, based on material found in these diverse archives.
Blenkinsopp to Arrow
17th December 1911
...I believe we need to become much more active in recruiting to the Civilian Force. I am very concerned about the rise of rabid Communist agitators such as Mann. Asquith and his crew seem willing to give way at every turn. Mann and others like him need to be handled firmly if the integrity of the Union is not to be put at risk. The Unionists in Ireland are showing us how this can be done and they are unafraid to act when necessary.
(Blenkinsopp personal papers held by family)
…
Arrow to Blenkinsopp
3rd January 1912
...I confess I am in full agreement with you on the need to stamp out the evil of Communism. I have not met with Abercorn recently but my impression was that he is not a man for firm action and while he is President of the Civilian Force I see no chance of it growing and developing as it needs to. In particular he has never understood that without adequate funding for men and equipment, the Force can never become more than a pinprick.
(Arrow Archive, University of Durham)
…
Blenkinsopp to Arrow
28th January 1913
...I think we may be on the verge of progress. I have no wish to speak ill of the dead, but Abercorn's death and his replacement as President by de Broke gives us the opportunity to make the Civilian Force something to be reckoned with. I have prevailed on de Broke that we need to reorganise on similar military lines as the UVF. He has also agreed that we should open up channels of communication with them.
(Arrow archive, University of Durham)
…
de Broke to Carson
17th May 1913
...I have spoken to you before about Blenkinsopp. Thank you for now agreeing to meet him. He has my full confidence in the matters on which we last spoke.
(Carson Collection UC Dublin)…
Carson to Blenkinsopp
21st May 1913
… I found our recent meeting most useful and look forward to continuing to work with you. I will be in Dublin again on the 15th prox. when I hope to have more for you.
(Carson Collection)
Blenkinsopp to Arrow
27th July 1913
...Matters are proceeding apace. We will soon I think not be required to stand by and see our Nation fall into chaos.
(Blenkinsopp personal papers)
…
Blenkinsopp to de Broke
2nd August 1913
...I think I am close to agreement with C[arson] on both our current needs and our future. In particular he will be sending half a dozen able men to aid in training and to bolster the organisation so that we can begin to take the initiative in the areas we have discussed. He understands the need to be discreet.
(Blenkinsopp papers)
…
Arrow to Blenkinsopp
18th September 1913
...I am pleased to hear from you about developments with the CF. When the time comes I can let you have some half dozen very discreet and very capable men to tackle the more intractable issues we discussed.
(Arrow Archive)
…