International Centre for the History of Crime, Policing and Justice

Worksheet: County Chief Constable: Sir Oswald Mosley

Using the letters written about Sir Oswald Mosley:

Letter of 26th November (left) regarding the accommodation of Sir Oswald and Lady Mosley at Rignell House. It is necessary for the Mosleys to find alternate accommodation (right).

Ref: ERICSJ/1/1/4/1

Ref: ERICSJ/1/1/4/2

St Johnston reports that the Mosleys have been moved to The Shaven Crown Hotel, Shipton-under-Wychwood and confirms the condition of their residency (left). DC Blowfield reports on the Communist meeting held on 17th December 1943 regarding the presence of the Mosleys in Oxfordshire (right).

Ref: ERICSJ/1/1/4/3

Ref: ERICSJ/1/1/4/4

Letter dated 26th December 1943 regarding the activities of the Mosleys (left). Constable Coles reports on an incident outside the Shaven Crown Hotel on 1st January 1944 involving the Westminster Dragoons (right).

Ref: ERICSJ/1/1/4/6

Ref: ERICSJ/1/1/4/9

Click on any image for a larger view.

• Why were Sir Oswald Mosley and his wife detained?
• What do they think the press photographers and journalists were doing in the affair?
• Do they think that the Communists were right in their campaign?
• Why do they think the police attended Communist meetings - just to hear what was being said about Mosley?
• Why did the Westminster Dragoons behave in the way that they did? (Thunderflashes were used in mock battles to simulate hand-grenades.)

More questions:

• General Discussions
• Mr Florey's Farm
• Unity Mitford
• The re-civilianisation of occupied Europe

Contents

Preface

Introduction

Police & WWII

The Blitz

County Chief Constable

A Volunteer

Modern Echoes

Work Sheets

Resources

Acknowledgements