Whenever Sinn Fein is mentioned, certainly in a historical context, we tend to think its activities were confined to Ireland and, at closest, London. But an article from the Watford Observer on May 21, 1921, brings the Irish situation very much closer to home.

Headed Sinn Fein Outrage at St Albans, the piece tells of an extraordinary incident which was clearly exceptional, since the incident made not only the pages of our own Watford Observer but many other newspapers across the world, including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune and even north-west Tasmania’s daily newspaper The Advocate among many others.

Still, we’ll stick to our own version:

“Four Sinn Feiners visited St Albans on Saturday [May 14, 1921] and attempted to murder Mr Lancelot Ashby, of Catherine Street, an ex-member of the Auxiliary Division, and his wife. Fortunately, neither was killed, but both are suffering from scalp wounds from bullets, and shock caused by blows received from the butts of revolvers. Mr Ashby is an ex-Serviceman who had spent nearly four years overseas.

“On demobilisation, he joined the Auxiliary Division and after serving with them in Ireland for many months, resigned, and a few days ago returned to St Albans where his parents reside. He with his wife took apartments at a house in St Albans.

“About 9.45pm on Saturday, three men called at the house and asked the landlady if they could see Mr Ashby. She called him downstairs and on his arrival at the front door he was immediately covered by three revolvers. One of the men told Ashby to go upstairs. He did so. His assailants followed and when they got to the room in which Mr and Mrs Ashby were, they entered.

“One of the men covered Ashby with his revolver and another Mrs Ashby while the third man stood just inside the door.

“One of the intruders said: ‘I know you, Ashby. You have been in the R.I.C. [the Royal Irish Constabulary].’ Pointing to a box on the floor, the man said to Ashby: ‘I want you to open that box.’

Ashby then stooped down in an attempt to comply with the request and while he was bending down, a revolver was fired at him. The bullet struck him on the side of the head and he fell stunned.

“While he was lying there one of the men hit him on the other side of the head with the butt-end of a revolver. Mrs Ashby, who during these proceedings had been covered with one of the revolvers, also fell to the ground as a second shot was fired and she too received a blow on the head with the butt end of a revolver.

“As the second shot was fired the landlady attempted to go upstairs to ascertain what was happening and, as she did so, the third man, who had been standing at the door of the room, left his post and gagged her.

“The three men then made a hurried departure and it is assumed that on leaving the house they separated, each going in a different direction.

“The alarm was raised immediately after they had left and the City Police were quickly on the scene. Mr and Mrs Ashby were then taken to the St Albans Hospital, where it was found that in each case the bullets had punctured the scalp but had not penetrated the skull. The victims were, however, suffering from severe shock caused by the blows received from the butts of the revolvers. It is believed that four men, all of whom are thought to be Irishmen, took part in the affair. Three men, as stated, entered the house, while the fourth remained on guard outside. The local police immediately called in the aid of Scotland Yard.”

And that’s where the report ends. The Times contained an article comprising the bares bones of the incident, adding details of the four assailants, one of whom was said to have “dark brown penetrating eyes”.

A few months after the attack, in July 1921, Lancelot Ashby appears to have been granted an ex-gratia payment of £50 “for medical expenses incurred for injuries inflicted in England after his resignation, apparently in consequence of his having served in the force.” So he clearly survived, but what happened to him then is unclear. Does anybody know?

Incidentally, while we’re on the slightly gruesome, next week I plan to republish an article called Hertfordshire Highwaymen and Tales of Witches and Ghosts, which first appeared in the Watford Observer of June 16, 1934. The piece includes details of ghostly friars digging for treasure in Kings Langley and Turpin’s Hole, a brick-built underground ‘den’ in Letchmore Heath, among many other strange doings. Order your copy now, as they used to say in the old days!

 

Had a letter this week from Mick Shrimpton, a former employee of John Dickinson, Croxley Mills, who lives in Garsmouth Way, Watford, and together with another former colleague is trying to locate some of the lorry drivers who worked for the firm over the years. “Unfortunately, over the years, we have lost contact,” he writes.

“I am hopeful you may be able to assist. I know you used to print requests such as mine and would be grateful if you could assist me.”

Well yes, Mick. That’s what the Nostalgia page is here for, among many other things. If you can help Mick, send your details to us using the information in the box over on the right. I’ll then pass the details on.

 

Simon Colbeck, of Claremont Crescent, Croxley Green, has also written to me, on behalf of West Watford Local History Group.

He writes: “We are gathering accounts, pictures and information to tell the story of how West Watford people were affected by World War One.

“If any of your readers have inherited letters, photos, diaries or other items they are willing to share we would be very interested to hear from them.

“These could relate to the experience of people involved in combat but also the lives of families and workers at home or those who opposed the war as conscientious objectors. We hope to stage an exhibition this autumn and also to share what we collect via the group’s website which your readers can also use to contact us.”

If you can help in any way, either send details to me (again using the details in the box on this page) or contact the group via its website, www.westwatfordhistorygroup.org.

Watford Observer: RElf

Meanwhile, Brian Relf, who lives in Macdonnell Gardens, Leavesden, has recently published a history of Watford’s latest conservation area, Macdonnell Gardens, which were built in the 1930s for those married officers suffering from shell shock in the aftermath of the Great War.

Squadron Leader Relf writes: “It is situated in Leavesden Green north of Watford, and has a fascinating history closely related to that part of Watford as it was converted from farmland to suburbia.”

The paperback version of the book is available through www.lulu.com where it’s already garnished a couple of encouraging reviews.

Mr Relf writes: “The hardback, full colour, version is a limited edition available only from me, but there are copies in the Watford North, Watford Central, and Abbots Langley libraries – and possibly elsewhere in the Hertfordshire library system.

“I plan to release an eBook version in due course but not yet.”