SUMMARY OF EVIDENCE
in the case of
Major Charles Edward St John Blenkinsopp
18th Hussars
1st. Witness:-
Colonel G. M. R White, KCB, IOM, DSC, states:-
On the afternoon of the 13th. August, I was in command of a mixed force of infantry and cavalry sent to Liverpool to act in support of the Civil Power during the recent period of industrial unrest. Major Blenkinsopp commanded a squadron of Hussars charged with escorting convoys of food and other essentials from the docks to the railway yards for onward distribution. On the afternoon in question, I was with my adjutant inspecting operations in the railway yard.
I observed a convoy of carts under police and cavalry escort entering the gates followed by a large jeering crowd. Attempts to close the dock gates were being resisted and these manning the gates were coming under volleys of stones and other objects. The Officer in charge, who I later identified as Major Blenkinsopp, called for the carts to pass through and then drew up his men facing the strikers, they then advanced at a trot towards the crowd who fell back. At this point the gates could have been closed but for the Hussars. Rather than falling back I heard the order given by Major Blenkinsopp to continue to move forward. The troopers obeyed without question but were quickly surrounded by the crowd and came again under fire from stones and pieces of metal.
By now the men were under direct threat, whereupon Major Blenkinsopp gave the order to withdraw, but many were unable to do so without drawing their sabres and beating about them with the flat of the blade. Major Blenkinsopp however drew his pistol and fired directly into the crowd of men around him. Hearing the shots others of his men began using their sabres more directly and eventually all were able to withdraw, leaving two dead and many injured in the crowd of strikers and with three troopers receiving head injuries from flying objects. One of these men was later discharged from the army on health grounds.
It is my contention that the order given by Major Blenkinsopp was unnecessary and in giving it he placed his men at risk. One of those men was severely injured, requiring a medical discharge. Many civilians were also injured and although these were engaged in violent activities they could have been contained with less force.
(signature) G. M. R. White, Col.
(handwritten) The accused declines to cross [examine] this Witness.
2nd Witness Lieutenant J. K Davison states:
On the afternoon of the 13th. August, I was assisting operations in the Railway yards, receiving food convoys from the docks and supervising their loading on to trains for distribution to the rest of the country.
I was made aware that a convoy of carts was due to arrive with a police and cavalry escort and went to the gates to direct it to the appropriate locations. I saw it arriving and that it was being followed by a large crowd. I also saw that those attempting to close the gates behind the convoy were being attacked by a volleys of stones and metal objects.
I saw Major Blenkinsopp, who was already known to me, draw up his men facing the strikers, and then trot towards the crowd, who fell back. I expected that he would then withdraw into the railway yard but instead he gave the order to move forward again. On doing this they were quickly surrounded by the crowd and came again under fire from stones and pieces of metal. It was only then that Major Blenkinsopp gave the order to withdraw, but by then many of his troop were unable to do so because they were surrounded. I saw many drawing their sabres and beating about them with the flat of the blade. I then saw Major Blenkinsopp fire directly with his pistol into the crowd of men around him. Hearing the shots others of his men began using their sabres more directly and eventually all were able to withdraw. I saw at least one dead and many injured in the crowd. I also saw several troopers with blood on their heads and faces.
(signature) J. K. Davison, Lt
(handwritten) The accused declines to cross [examine] this Witness.
(
signatures)
K B Roberts, Lt Col. Pres., F Allen Maj., B S Latheron Maj.
Findings of the Court
It is the unanimous finding of the court that the accused is guilty under Section 40 of the Army Act 1881 of acting to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.
Sentence
The accused is sentenced to be cashiered.