Home > Europe > United Kingdom > England > London > Towns > Stepney
An East End Episode: Scots Guards on Action at Sydney Street in 1911, (c1935). Creator: Unknown
Wall Art and Photo Gifts from Heritage Images
An East End Episode: Scots Guards on Action at Sydney Street in 1911, (c1935). Creator: Unknown
An East End Episode: Scots Guards on Action at Sydney Street in 1911, (c1935). The Siege of Sidney Street (also known as the Battle of Stepney) in the East End of London, was a gunfight between a combined police and army force and two Latvian revolutionaries. It happened 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 Home Secretary Winston 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. From " Wonderful London, Volume 3", edited by Arthur St John Adcock. [The Fleetway House, London, c1935]
Heritage Images features heritage image collections
Media ID 18324504
© The Print Collector/Heritage Images
Adcock Arthur St John Arthur St John Adcock Cobbled Cobbles Cobblestone Cobblestones East End John Adcock Regiment Scots Guards Siege Wonderful London Sidney Street Sidney Street Siege
FEATURES IN THESE COLLECTIONS
> Arts
> Artists
> W
> John White
> Europe
> Latvia
> Related Images
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Fire Brigade
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Police
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Politics
> Winston Churchill
> Europe
> United Kingdom
> England
> London
> Towns
> Stepney
> Historic
> Battles
> Battle of Britain
> Winston Churchill
> Historic
> Battles
> Related Images
> People
> Politicians
> Winston Churchill
EDITORS COMMENTS
The print captures a dramatic moment in history known as the Siege of Sidney Street, also referred to as the Battle of Stepney. In 1911, a gang of heavily armed Latvian burglars shot and killed four police officers while attempting to break into a jeweler's shop in the East End of London. Three members of the gang were eventually cornered at 100 Sidney Street, leading to a fierce gunfight with the police. Realizing that they needed superior firepower, Home Secretary Winston Churchill ordered reinforcements from the Scots Guards. The image shows these brave soldiers on action at Sydney Street during this intense confrontation. Their presence brought some hope for resolution amidst chaos. After six hours of relentless fighting, tragedy struck when the building caught fire. Controversially, Churchill made an unprecedented decision not to allow the Fire Brigade to intervene. As smoke billowed out from within, two bodies belonging to burglars were discovered among the ruins; however, one member remained unaccounted for. This photograph serves as a reminder of both heroism and controversy surrounding this historic event. It is part of "Wonderful London". Volume 3 edited by Arthur St John Adcock and provides valuable insight into an East End episode that forever left its mark on British law enforcement and public memory alike.
MADE IN AUSTRALIA
Safe Shipping with 30 Day Money Back Guarantee
FREE PERSONALISATION*
We are proud to offer a range of customisation features including Personalised Captions, Color Filters and Picture Zoom Tools
SECURE PAYMENTS
We happily accept a wide range of payment options so you can pay for the things you need in the way that is most convenient for you
* Options may vary by product and licensing agreement. Zoomed Pictures can be adjusted in the Cart.
