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The Sidney Street siege, Whitechapel, London, 1911, (1935)
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The Sidney Street siege, Whitechapel, London, 1911, (1935)
The Sidney Street siege, Whitechapel, London, 1911, (1935). Winston Churchill, then Home Secretary, the left of the top-hatted figures, is earnestly watching the activities of the soldiers of the Scots Guards and the police. The Sidney Street siege occurred after a gang of heavily armed Latvian burglars shot five police officers who attempted to arrest them as they attempted to break into a jewellers shop. Four of the policemen died. Three members of the gang were cornered at 100 Sidney Street and surrounded by the police. A gunfight ensued, but the police had inferior weapons and reinforcements in the form of soldiers from the Scots Guards were called in by order of Churchill, who arrived to observe the scene himself. After six hours of fighting, the building caught fire and Churchill controversially gave the order that the Fire Brigade take no action. Two of the burglars bodies were discovered in the burned out building but no trace of the third was ever found. A print from King Emperors Jubilee, 1910-1935, by FGH Salusbury, Daily Express Publications, London, 1935. (Colorised black and white print)
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Media ID 14980175
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Churchill Colorised Colourised East End F G H F G H Salusbury Fgh Salusbury Home Secretary Mr Churchill Police Police Force Policeman Regiment Salusbury Scots Guards Siege Sir Winston Sir Winston Churchill Tower Hamlets Whitechapel Winston Winston Churchill Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill Sidney Street Sidney Street Siege
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This print captures a pivotal moment in history - the Sidney Street siege of 1911 in Whitechapel, London. In this intense scene, we see Sir Winston Churchill, then Home Secretary, standing among top-hatted figures with an earnest gaze fixed on the activities unfolding before him. The soldiers of the Scots Guards and the police are engaged in a fierce battle against a gang of heavily armed Latvian burglars who had tragically shot five police officers during their attempted burglary. The siege took place at 100 Sidney Street where three members of the gang were cornered and surrounded by law enforcement. As gunfire echoed through the streets, it became evident that the police were outmatched by their adversaries' superior weaponry. Recognizing the urgency of reinforcements, Churchill ordered soldiers from the Scots Guards to join forces with them. After six grueling hours of fighting, flames engulfed the building as tensions reached a boiling point. Controversially, Churchill made an unprecedented decision - he commanded that no action be taken by the Fire Brigade. When all was said and done, two bodies belonging to burglars were discovered amidst charred ruins while one remained elusive. This remarkable print from "King Emperors Jubilee" offers us a glimpse into this historic event that showcased both bravery and controversy. It serves as a reminder of how even great leaders like Churchill faced challenging decisions during times of crisis.
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