Transcripts: Pawley's report of the attack on Epsom Police Station
This document comprises two pages:
Epsom Station
V [Wandsworth] Division
8 July 1919
I beg to report that at 11.30pm, 17th June 1919, about 400 Canadian soldiers from Woodcote Park Camp, Epsom, marched to Epsom Police Station, armed with sticks, stones and other missiles, with a common purpose of releasing two Canadian soldiers who were being detained at Epsom Police Station for disorderly conduct, and awaiting arrival of military escort.
On arrival at the station, I endeavoured to tell the soldiers that an ambulance and escort was on way for the prisoners and on its arrival they would be handed over.
The mob at once began to put their threat to release the prisoners into execution by attacking the station with the sticks & stones which they had brought with them for that purpose.
An attempt was made by Police present to prevent damage to the station but were driven back by force of numbers and to the united determination of the mob to inflict bodily injury to Police defenders and with the intent to put in fear and alarm the small force of Police engaged.
Several Police were injured 1 fatally, the station was wrecked. Stones were also hurled through the windows of the
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Police Court which is nearly opposite the Police Station, 6 or 7 squares of glass were broken and slight damage to a table in the female witness room.
The damage to the Court was not witnessed by Police and could not be prevented owing to their being forced inside the station.
The riot was no doubt prearranged and the five points under the Riot and Damages Act were covered by the action of the mob.
C. Pawley Insp
Submitted
R Hooper S.D. Insp
J Pratt as Supt
"Mother, what did policemen do when there weren't any motors?"