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."