The Skeleton Army in East London 1880 - 1884.

The Salvation Army.

The East London Christian Mission was setup in 1865 by William and Catherine Booth, after a reorganisation in 1878 it became The Salvation Army, with William Booth as it's first General. They built the organisation on quasi military lines with uniforms, a rank system and a flag, they also strictly adhered to the teachings of the protestant Bible.

The Salvation Army was to bring the good word to the poor and wicked people of the East End with the slogan Soup, Soap, Salvation! They soon gained support for their work and had several wealthy donors. The crusade save the drink sodden, gambling, and fallen populace with few morals was on, but did they all want to be saved? As it turns out, not everyone.

According to a report in The Times from 1882, it was stated; "The Salvation Army is not altogether a pleasant phenomenon. Natural as it and it's success must be conceded to be, it is overbearing, conceited, and unreal.

Its solitary weapon for enticing recruits and subduing enemies is a series of gusts of spiritual intoxication. No fruitful ideas underlie its war cries. It has no laws by which to administer territory it has conquered, or rules for the correction and elevation of hearts and souls." Stern words indeed! 

The Unconverted Salvation Army and Other Travellers.

The first headquarters of the new movement was at 272, Whitechapel Road, this building would be the focus of local discontent. The East London Observer, Saturday 7th August 1880 reported;

"Robert Blandfield and Thomas Thorpe were charged with disorderly conduct at the headquarters of the Salvation Army, High Street, Whitechapel. They were further charged with assaulting George Gates, a gatekeeper at the place. After hearing the evidence Mr Saunders fined Thorpe 20s, or fourteen days; and Blandfield 5s, or five days."

Salvation Army HQ, Whitechapel.

According to the Salvation Army's own newspaper War Cry of the 21st August 1880; 

"We have got an opposition here, in the shape of a Devil's regiment, calling itself 'The Unconverted Salvation Army,' which they wear in printed characters on their hats and march in procession, and hold open air meetings in our fashion."

The proto Skeletons of the Unconverted Salvation Army were becoming more violent, in November 1880 a Salvation Army procession was attacked in West Ferry Road, Millwall by a gang, Captain John Richardson was struck in the face, all charges were dropped, the attackers faced fines and were bound over to keep the peace.

East London Observer - Saturday 17th September 1881;

"Police constable Samuel Dutch 328H, said that about 8.30 on Sunday night he was on duty in the Whitechapel Road, near the London Hospital, when he noticed a large crowd of persons, numbering over a thousand, in the road.

The traffic was completely stopped, there being no less than three tram cars and two omnibuses waiting to get by. On proceeding to the spot, he found the prisoner Arnold in front of a detachment of boys and young men, numbering four or five hundred. They were in ranks four deep, and Arnold was waving around a stick as if drilling them, the two other prisoners acting as lieutenants.

Arnold being addressed by the rest as 'Captain.' The whole of the detachment were singing ribald songs at the top of their voices, and witness was informed that they styled themselves 'The Opposition Salvation Army.' He spoke to the gang, and requested them to disperse, but, at the instigation of the prisoners, who were much the worse of the lot, they refused to go, and at last he took the prisoners into custody.

On the road to the station he and some other constables, who came to his assistance, were shouted at and pelted by the mob which followed them. There was a sense of great confusion all along the route until they reached the Arbour Square Station."

Various places were licenced to the Salvation Army for the purpose of preaching, in a railway arch one chap entered smoking a cigar, when he was asked to put it out he annoyed the congregation by shouting "yes, yes" several times. In this congregation some special constables were posted to look out for troublemakers, this chap was arrested after he was asked to leave but then commenced to dance "drunkenly".

It would appear that some policemen were not altogether unbiased, East London Observer - Saturday 8th October 1881;

"A young man came before his worship to make a complaint under the following circumstances :- He stated that about three months ago he was fined 40s, by Mr Lushington for annoying some members of the Salvation Army, whilst they were conducting their services. 

Since then, however, he had taken good care not to have anything to do with them, but, unfortunately, there was a constable who went about with detachments of the army, and who was known as the 'Hallelujah Policeman,'  who would not let him alone, but was constantly interfering with him and threatening to 'run him in' again if he had the chance, and he, therefore, wanted to know what he could do to put a stop to it. Mr Saunders referred the applicant to the police station."

In December 1881 the poor door keeper at the Whitechapel headquarters was assaulted by a Daniel Plansey. He was arrested by PC's 114H Pasco and 40H Haley, Plansey was sentenced to one month's hard labour.

Soon the Salvation Army marched on Limehouse, and with it came trouble, East London Observer - Saturday 18th March 1882;

"A Row At The Limehouse Salvation Hall.

Salvation Hall, Limehouse.

Thomas Bowser was charged with assaulting Cotterill, doorkeeper at the Salvation Hall, Commercial Road, Limehouse. The complainant said that he resided at 40, Northerly Street, and was a soldier of the Salvation Army. About 3.30 on Sunday afternoon he was standing at the door of the hall when a number of young men, who belonged to what was called the 'Opposition Army,' came up and wanted to enter.

As it was known that they only wanted to make a disturbance they were refused admission. Prisoner, who was with them, walked inside, and then the others made a rush to get in. At this moment prisoner struck witness a blow to the face, and he was knocked about by some others of the gang; besides this, the prisoner kicked him on the leg.

Police constable Cole, 208K, who was called to take prisoner into custody, said that there was a crowd outside the place when he got there. Mr Saunders fined the prisoner 20s, and 10s costs."

The Salvation Army At Limehouse.

Sometimes it was the Salvationists who were in trouble, in April 1882 a Captain James Fearless was charged with disorderly conduct and causing an obstruction outside Mr Mitchell's tool manufacturers on the corner of Commercial Road and Salmon Lane, Limehouse. 

A crowd of around 200 were singing loudly outside his shop, he asked them to go away, at this Fearless ordered his soldiers to "fall in" and he marched them round and round, when they passed Mr Mitchell's shop they "waved their banners and shouted louder than ever". The magistrate bound over Fearless to keep the peace for six months.

Another procession through Limehouse was pelted with rubbish, one Alfred Guy was struck in the face with a cabbage stalk thrown by Thomas Donovan, who also used threatening language and egged on the others to throw more rubbish. PC Cole, 208K, was on the scene and arrested Donovan, who got a choice of 5s fine or five days hard labour.

More trouble occurred during a march down Salmon Lane, the Salvationists were pelted with rubbish and stones, one of which hit the standard bearer. PC'S 338K Westerman and 446K Emery saw the three culprits and soon apprehended them, they were all fined.

Meanwhile back in Whitechapel John Russell launched an unprovoked attack on Salvation Army officer Hermann Leepes. Russell and another man had entered the Salvation Hall in Whitechapel Road, sitting down Russell then began to whistle and annoy people. Mr Leepes asked him to be quiet, when it became apparent that he was there for trouble Leepes sent the door keeper to fetch a constable.

In the meantime things became heated and Russell punched Leepes in the eye, blackening it. Soon PC 203H Jackson appeared and marched him off into custody, Russell received one month with hard labour.

One month later in August 1882, James Green was charged with assault and breaking a window at Salvation Hall, Whitechapel. The whole incident happened because Green was refused exit from Salvation Hall, according to Henry Simpson you couldn't leave until the singing had started.

Believing this to be nonsense Green went for the door, Simpson grabbed him and was pushed back by Green, he then fell against a window which broke, a policeman appeared and Green was taken into custody. Magistrate Mr Lushington was having none of it, the window was obviously not broken intentionally, and the Salvation Army had no authority to stop anyone leaving its premises, the prisoner was discharged.

In November 1882 Jacob Chapman was arrested in Berner's Street for throwing stones at a Salvation Army procession. Constable Symes, 167H, stated "on Sunday he was on duty in Berner's Street, when he saw a detachment of the Salvation Army marching along, and several persons throwing stones at them. Prisoner left the door of a public house, picked up a stone, and deliberately threw it amongst the army people." He received the choice of either a 5s fine or five days hard labour.

The Skeleton Army.

Towards the end of 1882 the name Skeleton Army was being mentioned in the East End press. The Skeletons are known to have originated in either Exeter or Weston Super Mare around 1881, the name galvanised the anti Salvation Army elements, they were now all Skeletons. In a parody of the Salvationist slogan "Soup, Soap, Salvation" the Skeletons put forth "Beef, Beer, 'Bacca. They also changed the Salvationist statement "Blood and Thunder" to "Blood and Fire."

East London Observer - Saturday 13th January 1883;

"John Old, 26, labourer and member of the Skeleton Army, was charged with unlawfully wounding Robert McCartney, by stabbing him in the back with a knife. He was also charged with assaulting Alfred Wares. Inspector Shaw, H Division, prosecuted.

Wares stated on Sunday night last he was in Cable Street along with McCartney, when a lot of the Skeleton Army came by. He and McCartney stood for a moment at the corner of Mercer Street, when about twenty or thirty of the Skeletons came round and stared them in the face. McCartney moved away, on which some of the Skeletons called out, 'on to him chaps,' and about a dozen of them ran after McCartney, whilst the others, among whom was the prisoner, came to him and knocked him about, striking him with their belts and kicking him.

Mercer Street no longer exists.

They then ran off, and he afterwards saw that McCartney had been stabbed in the back. He assisted to take him to the London Hospital. He knew the prisoner well, and had seen him before with the army. Sergeant Nathan Lee, 17H, said that on Wednesday night he saw prisoner in the Mile End Road, marching at the head of a detachment of the Skeleton Army."

Old was remanded in custody for the assault, but the stabbing charge was dropped as McCartney would not identify Old as his assailant. Two weeks later Old was sentenced for the assault on Wares, he received two years imprisonment with hard labour.

There was more trouble outside the Salvation Hall, Whitechapel Road on the 20th January, three men were arrested for throwing stones into the porch and pushing people around, they proudly declared their allegiance to The Skeleton Army.

East London Observer - Saturday 27th January 1883;

"The Poplar Branch of The Skeleton Army.

Five young men named Saunders, McGuiness, Peel, Sayes and Meredith, all under twenty years of age, were charged with disorderly conduct and causing an obstruction in the public streets.

The prisoner Saunders, who is a dwarf, was dressed in the uniform of the drummer of a line regiment. He was stated to hold the rank of Captain, whilst the others were privates in the Poplar Skeletons. Considerable amusement was caused in court by the production by the police of a number of 'trophies' which had been captured from the ranks of the 'Army.'

They consisted of about a dozen helmets of various descriptions, some being heavy metal ones with the plume of a dragoon still sticking in them, whilst others were of the kind used by our troops in the late Egyptian campaign. Besides these there were some half dozen flags, of bright colours, and two 'standards,' these latter being of the rudest description; both were ornamented with skulls and crossbones, and bore various devices such as 'Ready, aye Ready,' ect."

Inspector Stephen Chandler of K Division said the boys belonged to a gang who walked out in imitation of the Skeletons, wearing helmets and waving flags like those produced and causing a nuisance. They pushed people off the pavement, blocked traffic and harrassed businesses. 

A crowd of up to a thousand followed the police taking the five young men into custody, shouts and threats to "corpse" anyone giving evidence was heard. When in from of the magistrate they were told that their behaviour was not acceptable, they were all bound over to keep the peace.

The Skeletons seemed to be getting younger! East London Observer - Saturday 3rd February 1883;

"John Kennedy, 10, was charged with disorderly conduct, and throwing missiles in the public streets.

Police constable George Cole, 208K, said that on Sunday afternoon he saw the prisoner pelting a detachment of the Salvation Army with cabbage stalks as they were marching through Limehouse. Some of the members of the army were struck by the rubbish. In reply to the charge, the prisoner said that he was 'werry sorry, but it wasn't him.' Mr Saunders fined Johnny 1s."

With the promise of some active service and some Salvationists to annoy, a large detachment of Skeletons formed up in Islington, this just shows how chaotic and frightening a Skeleton Army march could be.

East End News and London Shipping Chronicle - Friday 9th February 1883;

"During the afternoon three bands of loathsome blackguards, whose faces alone would almost compel a jury to find them guilty of any crime, kept the City Road and the side streets in a shameful hubbub. We were informed that they were not the regulars of the Skeleton Army, nothing more than ambitious recruits, acting without orders. Anyhow, they were a peril and an outrage.

They marched in a solid column, six or eight abreast, and each band consisted of about 150 roughs and roughlets, varying from 20 to 12 years of age. A few dirty handkerchiefs were waved, parodies of Salvation songs were howled, and in a rude fashion the disturbers imitated the dancing and gesticulations of Salvationists on the march.

The crowd fell aside to allow these lusty scamps to pass, and often cheered them on. The neighbourhood was thus kept in a deafening din and unbroken suspense till nightfall, and annoyance by the marching roughs were added to by fruit hawkers disposing of their wares by auction; lads and hoydens clambering, screeching, and fighting; the bonneting of respectable looking men, and the insulting of respectable looking women and girls anxious to pass through.

Sometimes a cab, carriage, gig, or omnibus cleft the mob in twain and then arose a diabolical chorus of blasphemy and abuse. The more active roughs, finding that the Salvation Army was not forthcoming, and getting tired of having the field to themselves, betook themselves off shortly after dusk. What they were prepared to do was indicated by the behaviour of a mob of lads who lingered later.

Three persons wearing the peaked caps with scarlet bands of the Salvation Army came out at the close of the afternoon service escorted by policemen, amongst whom were two inspectors, and they were followed up City Road by the roughs, who groaned and hooted, and pelted them with orange refuse, old shoes, and whatever else they could find.

Two 'Hallelujah lasses,' known for their peculiar bonnets of their order, were brutally set upon by a knot of skirmishing vagabonds, and driven for refuge in a shop with their clothes torn. A young man wearing a Salvation cap was surrounded and hustled, the cap was snatched from his head and tossed into the air over the heads of the crowd, amongst boisterous cheering, and having thus furnished amusement for half an hour it was torn to shreds."

By six o'clock it was all over save for a few shouts and yells, the bulk of the Salvationists left the area unmolested.

The beginning of the end?

East End News and London Shipping Chronicle - Tuesday 13th February 1883;

"An extraordinary religious service was held on Thursday night, at St. Philip's Church, Mount Street, Bethnal Green; the vicar, the Rev. Robert Loveridge, having invited the leaders and members of the local branches of the Skeleton Army to attend, 'to reason with them before God.' About 600 attended, headed by their band and flag, and wearing their military accoutrements.

St. Philips as shown on the 1875 map of the Old Nichol

Their conduct during the service was very orderly, and they listened with great attention to the expostulations of the vicar, in his sermon, against the habit of swearing, which was proving infectious even to the children of the parish. He dealt with the various reasons they had given, during the interviews he had had with their leaders, for their street demonstrations against the Salvation Army, and assured them that the result of his investigations had been to disprove  the statement that the Salvationists were underselling them in the labour market.

He argued that General Booth's movement was entitled to some respect on the grounds of the labour question, for it's leader had found work for hundreds of men and women who would otherwise have remained a drag on the labour market; and thus a better chance in the battle of life had been given to the members of the Skeleton Army, who could not do better than cease their hostility and join the ranks of Mr Booth.

The service over, the Skeletons retired, without disorder. It is stated that, as one result of Mr Loveridge's intervention, one detachment, the colours, helmets and arms having been handed to the vicar, and the other companies have intimated their willingness to follow the same example."

A Salvation Army March, Ratcliff Highway.

East London Observer - Saturday 31st March 1883;

"Defeating The Skeleton Army.

An amusing scene was witnessed on Monday afternoon on the waste ground in the Mile End Road, when a regiment of the Skeleton Army was put to flight by a detachment of police.

It appears that on Sunday last 'The Army' held a meeting at Victoria Park, when bills were issued announcing a meeting in Mile End Road on the following day. At the appointed hour the 'Skeletons' began to assemble in force, some of them carrying flags, banners, big drums ect.

No sooner, however, had they begun to form into column for marching than a small party of the K Division of police, under Chief Inspector Steed and Inspector Guigley (?) hove in sight, advancing at the double. No sooner did the valiant 'Skeletons' catch sight of the approaching police than they halted, wavered, and then broke up in confusion, running away as fast as they could.

They were followed by the derisive cheers of some thousands of persons, who had assembled to witness what the 'Skeletons' had asserted was to be 'a conflict for the right of public meeting, and a protest against police tyranny.' The constables pursued the retreating army for a few hundred yards, and then gave up the chase."

War Cry - Saturday 26th December 1891.

The Skeleton Army in East London had peaked, stories of their antics in the area decreased dramatically, the thuggery associated with the Skeletons lived on in memory for quite a while, by 1891 the Salvationists were asking 'Where are the Skeletons?" In 1884 a huge riot erupted in Worthing, however, in the East End the police had gained control.

East End News and London Shipping Chronicle - Tuesday 23rd September 1884;

"Thomas Saint, described as having lately been leader of the Skeleton Army, Poplar, was charged, at the Thames Police Court, with assaulting William De Banks, landlord of the Mariners' Arms beer house, Grundy Street, Poplar, and also assaulting Mrs Sarah De Banks.

Grundy Street, Poplar.

Between eight and nine o'clock on Tuesday night the prisoner entered the Mariners' Arms and created a disturbance. He was requested several times to quit, but refused, and struck the landlord a violent blow in the neck. He then hurled a pot at Mrs De Banks's head, but it fortunately missed her.

The prisoner was known as a most violent ruffian. Mr Lushington fined the prisoner 40s or a month for the assault on Mrs De Banks, and 21 days' hard labour for the assault on the landlord."

Dracula (Mystery and Imagination, 1968)

The 1968 television adaptation of Dracula, which was part of the British anthology series Mystery and Imagination (Season 4, Episode 3)—represents a fascinating case in how classic horror literature has been adapted for small screen albeit under constrained resources. Starring Denholm Elliott as Count Dracula, the film is neither the most famous nor the most lavish version of Bram Stoker’s novel, shot in black and white it remains both curious and eerie.

Produced by Thames Television for ITV, this adaptation was written by Charles Graham and directed by Patrick Dromgoole. It was all shot rather quickly, some sources say in as little as three days! The constraints of time, budget, and the television format strongly shape the film’s structure and style. There is little room for elaborate sets, extensive location shooting, or protracted action sequences. Instead, the production leans into atmosphere, dialogue, suggestion, and creative uses of flashbacks and theatricality.

The cast is solid: Denholm Elliott as Dracula; Susan George as Lucy Weston; Bernard Archard as Van Helsing; Corin Redgrave as Jonathan Harker; Suzanne Neve as Mina Harker; James Maxwell as Dr. Seward; and Joan Hickson as Mrs Weston.

The 1968 Dracula adapts Bram Stoker’s novel with a number of changes, some structural, others in character or in what events are included or omitted. The story begins in Whitby, in an asylum, with a mysterious patient (later revealed to be Jonathan Harker) escaping his cell and accosting a dinner party being held by Dr. Seward. He calls the guest of honour “Master,” referring to Dracula.

Van Helsing is brought in to consult, and through a process of hypnosis, the narrative shifts to flashbacks of what happened in Transylvania, including Harker’s ordeal and attacks by Dracula’s brides, a scene that always makes me jump! Meanwhile in England, Count Dracula is presented as a somewhat suave, aristocratic foreigner, recently arrived, with certain peculiarities (sensitivity to sunlight, etc.), who fascinates Lucy Weston, and she becomes one of his primary targets.

Lucy becomes one of the undead despite the attentions of Dr Seward and Van Helsing, Mina is accosted by Lucy and she begins to express vampiric traits.

Finally Mina and Jonathan are united, but Mina seems to be under Dracula’s influence, the film concludes with her staring at Dr. Seward’s throat and clutching Dracula’s ring, with implications that she may have become a vampire. There’s no final long pursuit back to Transylvania.

These changes are mainly due to the lack of time and budget, but it also reflects shifting emphases, less on epic horror and more on psychological dread and seduction.

The reviews were mixed but mainly good, The Daily Record observed “the horrors were laid on so thick that they barely raised a shudder.” The Daily Mirror quipped “if there had been owls in it, you could have called it a hoot.”

The Shropshire Star was far more impressed, “Thames’s production of Dracula was far superior to the Bela Lugosi and Christopher Lee cinema versions.” On the consideration of the low budget The Aberdeen Evening Express observed, “the scope for such a programme is fairly large, but the way the production team went about the task of presenting Dracula in a way which had most viewers on the edge of their seats deserves the highest praise.”

There was an extra surprise for viewers in Hartlepool, The Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, “Television viewers shivering at the adventures of Dracula received an added shock when their living rooms were plunged into darkness just as the plot had reached a particularly gruesome moment. But they were unable to discover the outcome for their television sets were also affected.”

In conclusion the 1968 Dracula is not perfect: constrained by time, budget, and the demands of British television of the era, sacrifices were made. But in those constraints lie much of its interest and charm. It offers a version of Dracula that balances reverence for the source material with smart adaptation choices: emphasis on psychological horror, seduction, character over spectacle; an ending that refuses closure; a Dracula who is both aristocratic and ominous.

For many viewers or scholars interested in how Dracula has been reinterpreted over time, and how horror works in low-budget, small-scale productions, this version is well worth attention. Its flaws are part of its character, and its strengths show that horror does not always require lavish effects or big budgets to be effective.

This is the link if you wish to view Dracula 1968 (Mystery & Imagination)

TV Times - Thursday 10th April 1969

Sturmpanzerwagen A7V 506 "Mephisto" - Brisbane's German Tank.

 

Background.

On the 21st March 1918 the German army on the western front launched Operation Michael, this spring offensive was designed to smash through the allied defences in the Somme region before the effect of the incoming American troops could be felt. Around an extra 50 divisions had been rushed over from the eastern front after the Russian defeat and the signing of the Brest-Litovsk Treaty, this gave the Imperial German Army a temporary advantage in numbers.

Operation Michael was the main attack, there would be three other minor offensives (Georgette, Gneisenau and Blücher-Yorck) to draw allied forces away and cause confusion. The object was to punch a hole through the British lines and swing up to the English Channel, with the British in full retreat it was hoped the French would seek an armistice.

This operation was to be the first that would include a German made tank, the Sturmpanzerwagen A7V, the A7V was steel monster sporting a forward firing 57mm Maxim Nordenfelt cannon and six MG08 machine guns, it had a crew of up to 18 and crawled along at between 9 and 4 mph, depending on the ground it was traversing.

A7V 506 entered service sometime around December 1917 and was commanded by Lieutenant Heinz Theunissen, he named the tank 'Mephisto'. The name was painted on the front and back armour, on the front a devil carrying British tank side armour was painted, this was from a Persil Laundry advertisement that was popular at the time.

The Second Battle Of Villers-Bretonneux.

The attack on the Somme saw the allies thrown back to the old battlefields of 1916, ground won through the shedding of so much blood. It was on the 24th to the 27th April that the second battle of Villers-Bretonneux was fought, the area had been heavily shelled by the Germans in preparation and air was dangerously contaminated with mustard gas. 

Facing the Germans were the remains of the British 8th Division, the 173rd Brigade, and the Australian 13th, 14th and 15th Brigades backed up with two Mark IV females tanks and one Mark IV male (female tanks were armed with machine guns, male tanks had two six pounder 57mm cannons), and seven Whippet medium tanks.

British Mark IV Male Tank

It was during this battle that the first tank on tank confrontation took place. The three British Mark IV tanks were despatched to the Catchy area as intelligence said there was a serious German advance in that direction. The British tanks advanced toward the German lines, soon they came across A7V 'Nixe' under the command of the wonderfully named 2nd Lieutenant Wilhelm Blitz.

A7V 'Nixe' immediately fired on the lead British tank punching a hole in its side, unfortunately the two lead tanks were of the female type and their machine guns could not penetrate the thick armour of the A7V. Turning to disengage the other female tank also took a hit to its side, the wounded and vulnerable crews managed to get their tanks out of the way, now the male tank with its two six pounders came into the fray.

British Mark IV Female Tank

The male Mark IV had to keep moving as the German artillery were trying to knock it out and the A7V was maneuvering to engage. The Mark IV managed to hit the A7V six times with its cannons, the German tank was still in the fight but it managed to become ditched and keeled over onto its side, the crew of 18 managed to get out but 9 were killed as they fled.

Two more A7V's arrived, closing in on the British tank, but they were driven off by the fine shooting of the Mark IV gunners. Being horribly exposed to German artillery the Mark IV turned to retreat, German infantry had massed for the attack, but they were decimated by seven British Whippet tanks that had arrived to support the heavy tank, only four Whippets returned after the engagement.

British Whippet Medium Tanks

The Mark IV was eventually crippled by mortar fire and the crew abandoned it, escaping into a British trench. A7V 'Nixe' was recaptured by German infantry but efforts to restart the engines failed and it was blown up with demolition charges. At this time another one of the A7Vs became hopelessly ditched in a newly created shell hole, this tank was not destroyed, in fact it would stay in situ for the next three months, this was A7V 506 'Mephisto'.

The battle would rage on for a few more days with the Australian and British forces eventually retaking Villers-Bretonneux at great cost, but with this town secured the road and rail network to the very important transport hub of Amiens was also secure, it was an important victory.

The front line would creep forwards and the allies gained ground, as the allies advanced they came across another A7V, this one was called 'Elfriede', it was the first A7V to be captured intact, and was recovered by British and French troops. The advance continued with many small battles around strong points and outposts.

A7V Elfriede, the first A7V to be captured.

One of these outposts was at Monument Wood, here on the 9th July men of the 28th Battalion of the Australian Imperial Force raided and discovered 'Mephisto' in its shell crater, however, due to intense fire they had to withdraw and hand over the assault to the 26th Battalion. On the 13th July the 26th Battalion AIF cleared the wood and with it the derelict A7V 'Mephisto' fell into their hands.

A Captured Mark IV Female supports German infantry.

Recovering Mephisto.

The tank was still very much within range of German positions, so any recovery would be fraught with danger, so the Australians attacked the German lines two more times and drove them further back, eventually the Gun Carrier Company of the Tank Corps were able to creep forward and connect steel cables to Mephisto and drag the tank out of its muddy hole.

The operation was covered by artillery attacks across the German lines and aircraft buzzing over head, unfortunately the German artillery had a pre planned artillery strike ready to go, and so shells, some with gas, slammed into the area of operations, all of those of the Tank Corps and the men of the 26th AIF had to wear gas masks the whole time Mephisto was recovered.

The tank was eventually dragged back to the allied lines, men of the 26th AIF covered its tracks so German spotter planes could not see where it had gone, eventually it was deposited at the tank training ground at Vaux-en-Amienois, it was here that the tank was covered in graffiti by curious soldiers.

 The Daily Mail - Saturday 21st December 1918.

It was soon very apparent that A7V Mephisto was to be shipped to Australia, and Brisbane was the destination. The tank was transported to Poulainville where there was a railway siding to take it to Merlimont, Dunkirk and then on to London.

Mephisto showing the graffiti.

New Home In Australia.

Parked up in England prior to embarkation.

On the 2nd April 1919 at Tilbury docks, Mephisto was loaded aboard the steamship Armagh along with returning ANZAC troops for the long journey back to Australia. Meanwhile back in Australia the final destination for this most prized souvenir was in question, Melbourne was requesting delivery, while up in Queensland their Agent General Sir Thomas Robinson was determined that the tank was theirs as the 26th Battalion that captured it were Queenslanders.

The Steamship Armagh.

The Toowoomba Chronicle - Saturday 7th June 1919;

"Valued War Trophy.

The German tank, which was captured by the 26th Battalion at Monument Wood (Villers-Bretonneux) on the 14th July 1918, was landed from the steamer Armagh this afternoon.

It is a cumbersome machine, weighing about 30 tons, and is the heaviest lift which has yet been made in Brisbane. The operation was successfully and expeditiously carried out."

Mephisto being unloaded from the Armagh.

The Telegraph - Saturday 23rd August 1919;

German War Tank.

Removed to Museum.

Rumblings at Midnight.

The noise of heavy machinery rumbling through the street, shortly after midnight, awakened more than one resident of Brisbane out of his sleep. Had they gone to their windows to see what it was all about, they would have seen an unusual sight - a 60 ton (slight exaggeration!) German tank being drawn along by two city council steam rollers. This huge weapon of modern warfare was being transported from the Norman Wharf to the museum at the Exhibition.

The task was commenced at midnight, and was not completed until about 11am. The tank arrived at Brisbane by an overseas ship more than two months ago. She has lain on the Norman Wharf since that time, and Queenslanders will be pleased to learn that she has at last landed at the museum, in the open space at the main entrance, to which the trophy now stands the object of curiosity of many visitors.

Mephisto and the Steam Rollers.

The transportation was carried out under the supervision of Mr R. D. Clissold, foreman of works, Brisbane City Council. He was assisted by Mr Adam Bell (ganger). Most difficult of all was the work of drawing the tank through the main gateway of the museum grounds. 'Mephistopheles' looked too big and cumbersome to crawl through without injuring the brick pillars on either side of her.

It was a ticklish job, and one of the iron gates had to be removed before it could be effected. Slowly but surely the tank wormed its way through, and beyond cutting up the gravel way very considerably, it did no damage. Once inside, it did not take long to pull the tank into its appointed place."

Mephisto in its first position.

Even at this late stage questions were still being asked about Mephisto's final resting place, but finally in October 1920 it was settled.

Queensland Times - Monday 18th October 1920;

"Melbourne - Friday.

At a meeting of the Australian War Museum Committee had today, it was decided that the German tank 'Mephisto,' now on exhibition in Brisbane, should be allowed to remain there instead of being removed for exhibition in the Australian War Museum, when established, as was originally intended."

The fears of weather damage were very real, the tank was open to the elements and something needed to be done.

The Brisbane Courier - Thursday 10th February 1921;

"Some time ago the 'Courier' pointed out that the German war tank 'Mephisto,' which was captured by Queenslanders and forwarded to this state as a war trophy, was lying in the grounds of the Brisbane Museum exposed to the ravages of the weather.

The Government has now taken steps to erect a shelter over this interesting memento, and the building is in course of erection."

The Telegraph - Saturday 23rd July 1938

Mephisto is the only surviving A7V tank in the world, there are parts of them in various museums around the world, but this is the only complete example. The tank was moved several times over the years, but even under shelters the tank was deteriorating, it needed some restoration and looking after.

Mephisto in the 1960s.

Finally in 1986 Mephisto was moved to the Queensland Cultural Centre, this location was big enough for the tank to be housed inside, in 1988 a German team came to see Mephisto to take measurements and gain knowledge enough to go back and construct an A7V for themselves, this tank is named 'Wotan'. 

In 2023 the tanks original compass was returned, it had been taken as a souvenir by a soldier on its landing in Australia. Recently the tank has been preserved behind glass in a temperature controlled environment, one of the world's rarest tanks is now preserved for future generations.

Musically Mephisto has been mentioned in two songs, one by Ukrainian metal band 1914 on their album "Blind Leading The Blind" with the track "A7V Mephisto" and by Einstürzende Neubauten on their album "Lament" on the track "How Did I Die?".

Meg o' Meldon.

I grew up in Morpeth, Northumberland, as a family we would go on little jaunts into the countryside, a day out at Cresswell, or Wallington Hall, maybe a picnic under Winter's Gibbet (The Tale Of William Winter). The one thing my father loved was storytelling, his children's stories about Bib and Bob the water rats was a classic that was sadly never published, and now they are gone. One story that remains with me to this day is "Mad" Meg o' Meldon, the "mad" bit may have been an embellishment on my fathers part.

He would tell us that she was a witch who drowned herself in an inch of water, she could shapeshift herself into the guise of animals, and she would jump out and scare unwary travellers on the approach to Meldon bridge and cause accidents.

I remember in the late 1980s driving through Meldon with a car full of friends and my cousin, I was regaling them with the dreaded tale, just before the bridge I got to the shapeshifting bit and a rabbit ran out, I slammed on the brakes and my cousin screamed in shear terror, great times.

So, who was Meg o' Meldon? There seems to have been an old oral tradition regarding her, I trawled the newspapers back to the 17th century searching for clues and found that the mid 19th century was a time in which old folk tales were all the rage. So here we are, how a lady became Meg o' Meldon.

It was the famous historian John Hodgson who brought the identity of Meg to the masses, in his History of Northumberland, volume 2 (1832). He identified her as Margaret Selby, who became Lady Margaret Fenwick of Wallington. It's a good tale so I think the story is better told by a journalist rather than a historian.

History of Northumberland, volume 2 (1832)

Newcastle Daily Chronicle - Thursday 26th December 1861;

In the almost ruined mansion of Seaton Delaval, situated on the sea coast a few miles north of Newcastle upon Tyne, there was to be seen, a few years ago, the portrait of a female, which, from the singular dress displayed in it, and the remarkable countenance of the woman represented, was sure to attract the notice of every observant visitor.

Seaton Delaval Hall in 1822, prior to the fire which left it ruinous.

The person who was thus portrayed was the Lady Margaret Fenwick; but if you had asked the old keeper of the hall for any information respecting her, you would only have learnt that "that was Meg o' Meldon, sure enough," for by no other name is this somewhat extraordinary woman known to the rural inhabitants of Northumberland.

Meg was the daughter of one of the principal inhabitants of Newcastle, and the wife of Sir William Fenwick, of Wallington. Her husband died early, and she was left with an only child - a son. Her attachment for her offspring, however, is the only good which tradition can tell of her. In every other respect she bore a terrible character.

She resided principally at Hartington Hall, not far from Morpeth, and there she lived from year to year, scraping together wealth of every description, and seldom being troubled in business affairs with any scruples of conscience.

Hartington Hall, photographed in 1863

She lived in the most wretched style, denying herself and the one or two lean servants which she kept everything but the merest necessaries of life. She had, too, a propensity which by no means added to her popularity, for appropriating the smallest savings of the most miserable husbandmen who came within her reach, as well as the more tempting gains of her higher class tenants. As she grew older, she became worse and worse.

She turned off all her servants save one, and she took to living solely on such vegetables as her own extensive gardens provided. But though thus almost starving herself, she continued to live to a great age; at last her oppressed dependants came to the conclusion that she had formed a solemn covenant with Satan, who had agreed to allow her to live as long as nature would permit, and to accumulate wealth rapidly during the whole of her lifetime, on the condition which is generally inserted in the bonds of his Satanic Majesty.

And so the old woman lived on, and grew richer and richer, until she absolutely rolled into wealth. But all her ill gotten gains brought her little peace of mind; she was ever haunted by the fear of being robbed; and the terrified inhabitants of the country round Hartington used often to remark her wandering by night as well as by day round certain spots in the neighbourhood of Meldon, which in after years they did not fail to recall to mind.

At last, however, she died, and had a grand funeral as could have been wished for. She had survived her son, so the estate descended to a distant relative, who very quickly made Meg's money go in ways the mere thought of which would have been sufficient in her early days to cut off that excellent woman prematurely.

Meldon Church circa 1820

But she had scarcely been in her grave a month when rumours began to circulate among the country people as to her having been compelled to leave it by the master she had served so well whilst on earth. She had been condemned, it was said, to "walk" and to sleep alternately for seven years at a time, until certain bags of money, which report stated she had secreted about her estate, were found and appropriated.

Numerous were the tales which now began to circulate respecting her supernatural post mortem appearances. The whole countryside became alarmed, and he was a bold man who dared go any distance after nightfall. There were certain spots which she seemed particularly to affect. One of these was the old bridge at Meldon, over the Wansbeck; another was a dilapidated well near Meldon Tower.

Once a farmer, riding home from market, happened to be passing over the bridge about midnight, when he was somewhat surprised to see a large black dog lying directly in his way upon it. He took his whip and gave the brute a smart cut, when to his horror, it suddenly arose in the form of a female of tremendous dimensions, who, seizing him by the throat nearly stifled him before she relaxed her deadly hold. When she did so, she flung the luckless wight into the bottom of his cart, exclaiming, "let sleeping dogs lie," and then sprung over the battlements of the bridge, and disappeared in the clear waters of the Wansbeck.

The approach to Meldon Bridge, the old bridge is long gone.

To this day there are some of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood who would as soon think of walking into a blast furnace as of rousing a sleeping dog, especially if its coat should be black. Then again, there are some who declared they had seen Meg in the form of a beautiful female, who tried by looks and gestures to allure them towards the well aforesaid, and who tore her hair and seemed to be overcome with rage and vexation when she found that they did not succumb to her fascinations.

But though everybody was so chary of having anything to do with her during the hours of darkness, there were not a few who in broad daylight tried to enrich themselves by becoming the fortunate discoverers of some of her hidden treasure. Many an attempt was made with this end in view, but all without avail; till at last people began to lose faith in her reputed riches, and gave up thinking about, or looking for them.

The new bridge, built in 1911. (https://www.bridgesonthetyne.co.uk/)

There was, however, one man who was either less superstitious, or more covetous, than his neighbours, and he was determined to make a desperate effort to enrich himself. He would look for Meg's treasure at the very time when Meg herself was known to be hovering over the places where it was concealed. Three times did the bold countryman walk over Meldon Bridge, and sit by the side of Meldon Well, at the dread hour of midnight.

The first two nights nothing occurred to reward his bravery; but on the third, as he was about to leave the well disappointed and weary, he suddenly saw Meg herself standing before him just as she had looked during her lifetime. In a moment his boldness forsook him, and he fell upon his knees trembling with fear; he was somewhat reassured, however, when the unearthly being who stood before him addressed him in the most commonplace accents, merely telling him to return to the same spot the next night at twelve exactly, when he would have an opportunity of enriching himself forever; but he was further told, from the time he left his house, till he returned to it again with the money, not to utter a single word either to himself or  anybody else.

Approximate site of Meg's Well - Armstrong Map 1769

To Hodge's mind the sole condition which had been laid upon him seemed a very simple and easy one; and it was, therefore, with good hopes of his success that he returned to the appointed place the next night, provided with a long chain and grappling irons, to assist him in his exploit.

When he reached the well he found an ordinary looking man standing beside it, who, without a word being said on either side, took the chain, fastened Hodge to it, and then lowered him gradually down the well. After sinking an immense depth, he found himself on a level with the water, of which there was not, however, nearly as much as he had expected, and on looking into it, he easily discovered, just beneath its surface, an enormous leather bag. This he fastened to the grappling irons, and giving the signal to his assistant, was quickly drawn up to the top.

With some difficulty the bag was raised; several times it slipped, and seemed likely to fall; but at last it was safely placed on the ground; at seeing which, poor Hodge, in his joy, quite forgot the command he had received the previous night, and exclaimed in ecstacy:

"There! all the devils alive can't help me getting it now!"

But alas! he was mistaken; the instant the fatal words escaped his lips, the bag slid into the well, and fell like a leaden weight to the bottom, whilst he received a sudden blow which deprived him of his consciousness; and had he not been discovered the next morning by his anxious wife, and removed home, he would probably have died from the fever which attacked him, in consequence of the excitement and exposure. When he recovered, he went back to his everyday work, like a wise man, and gave up dreaming about Meg o' Meldon and her money bags.

Meldon Hall

Many years passed on without anything fresh turning up respecting the hidden treasure; but at last a circumstance occurred which brought a portion of it, at any rate, to light, though in a manner by no means ghostly or "awsum" as might have been expected. The school house at Meldon was a building of great antiquity, and one which had suffered considerably from the ravages of time.

Some sixty or seventy years ago, as those of the children who took their dinners at school were emptying the contents of their satchels in the absence of the master, who was enjoying his midday repast, they were alarmed by a portentous crack in the ancient ceiling above their heads, and in a moment a portion of it came down, and with it - a veritable bag of Meg's long sought money!

Age had rotted the bag, and bursting in its fall, its contents were scattered over the floor of the school room, causing a fine scramble among the fortunate youngsters, who very quickly had the precious pieces stowed away in their pockets, and with true northern doggedness refused to deliver them up to their master, who was sadly disappointed when he heard of the "find" which had fallen on the lot of his varlets during his absence.

Poor Meg has now been dead more than two hundred years; but as yet this is all of her long concealed and oft sought for treasure that has ever been discovered; and it is by no means likely that the monomaniacs who still occasionally waste their time in looking for it, will ever become the richer for their pains.

Meldon Hall Estate.