Edalji
One of my ancestors has become somewhat better known than he ever expected. This was my grandfather John Campbell who, for most of his life was a policeman. As an inspector in the Staffordshire Constabulary he was involved in the arrest of George Edalji (pronounced 'Ay-dal-ji') at his office in Birmingham in August 1904. I think he was also involved in collecting evidence, but I have no family records or anecdotes about his involvement. He later became a superintendent in Handsworth.
This case became notorious when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle took an interest, writing newspaper articles about it, later campaigning successfully for George's release and a government pardon.
This case became notorious when Sir Arthur Conan Doyle took an interest, writing newspaper articles about it, later campaigning successfully for George's release and a government pardon.
Superintendent Bishop and Inspector Campbell (standing) receive a report from a cyclist policeman in Captain Harrison's yard,
World's Graphic Press
World's Graphic Press
There are three books entirely devoted to the case:
The Story of Mr George Edalji (Grey House Books, 1985), mainly a reproduction of Conan Doyle's newspaper articles, edited and with an introduction by Richard and Molly Whittington-Egan;
Arthur & George (Cape, 2005; Vintage, 2006) by Julian Barnes. This is a historical novel, so not entirely reliable (see my article 'Making up History’, in the Spring 2007 issue of The Skeptic on my Articles page). In March 2015, ITV broadcast a fanciful 3-part dramatisation based on the book, with Martin Clunes as Conan Doyle. Inspector Campbell, inappropriately in uniform, had a minor part, played by Alan McKenna.
The Story of Mr George Edalji (Grey House Books, 1985), mainly a reproduction of Conan Doyle's newspaper articles, edited and with an introduction by Richard and Molly Whittington-Egan;
Arthur & George (Cape, 2005; Vintage, 2006) by Julian Barnes. This is a historical novel, so not entirely reliable (see my article 'Making up History’, in the Spring 2007 issue of The Skeptic on my Articles page). In March 2015, ITV broadcast a fanciful 3-part dramatisation based on the book, with Martin Clunes as Conan Doyle. Inspector Campbell, inappropriately in uniform, had a minor part, played by Alan McKenna.
Outrage: The Edalji Five
and the Shadow of Sherlock Holmes (Vanguard Press,
2010) by Roger Oldfield. www.outrage-rogeroldfield.co.uk. A
most comprehensive and detailed account by a local historian
of what happened.
Superintendant John Campbell
There are also books that mention the case:
pp 166-179 in Compton Mackenzie's On Moral Courage (Collins 1962);
The Real World of Sherlock Holmes, by Peter Costello (Robinson, 1991);
The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle, by Russell Miller (Harvill Secker, 2008).
The case has been dramatised several times. I have read that it featured in an episode of the 1972 BBC television series The Edwardians. However, I have not been able to verify that. On 12 Dec 1987 BBC Radio 4 broadcast the play Conan Doyle and the Edalji Case. in which John Campbell was played by Anthony Jackson, but with an inappropriate Scottish accent (my grandfather had a local accent). On 25 Dec 2005, BBC4 aired a TV documentary about the case.
Conan Doyle and the Edalji Case. in which John Campbell was played by Anthony Jackson, again with an inappropriate Scottish accent. On 25 Dec 2005, BBC4 aired a TV documentary about the case.
David Edgar has turned Julian Barnes's book into a play, which was performed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 19 Mar to 10 Apr 2010 and at the Nottingham Playhouse from 22 Apr to 8 May 2010. The script of the play and a copy of David Edgar's Guardian article (13 Mar 2010) has been published in a booklet published by Nick Hern Books Ltd (2010).
According to Mike Harley, a local writer, John Campbell did most of the work on the case and, for some time, was at odds with his superiors over the question of the perpetrator. Compton Mackenzie claims that Inspector Campbell 'knew who was guilty of the mutilations and he decided to arrest him'. I don't know how CM could know that and it seems that he's borrowed from ACD's writings. The whole police investigation appears to have been bungled and I don't like to think that my grandfather was responsible. I like to think that he was conscientiously doing what he was told to do by his superiors.
pp 166-179 in Compton Mackenzie's On Moral Courage (Collins 1962);
The Real World of Sherlock Holmes, by Peter Costello (Robinson, 1991);
The Adventures of Arthur Conan Doyle, by Russell Miller (Harvill Secker, 2008).
The case has been dramatised several times. I have read that it featured in an episode of the 1972 BBC television series The Edwardians. However, I have not been able to verify that. On 12 Dec 1987 BBC Radio 4 broadcast the play Conan Doyle and the Edalji Case. in which John Campbell was played by Anthony Jackson, but with an inappropriate Scottish accent (my grandfather had a local accent). On 25 Dec 2005, BBC4 aired a TV documentary about the case.
Conan Doyle and the Edalji Case. in which John Campbell was played by Anthony Jackson, again with an inappropriate Scottish accent. On 25 Dec 2005, BBC4 aired a TV documentary about the case.
David Edgar has turned Julian Barnes's book into a play, which was performed at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre from 19 Mar to 10 Apr 2010 and at the Nottingham Playhouse from 22 Apr to 8 May 2010. The script of the play and a copy of David Edgar's Guardian article (13 Mar 2010) has been published in a booklet published by Nick Hern Books Ltd (2010).
According to Mike Harley, a local writer, John Campbell did most of the work on the case and, for some time, was at odds with his superiors over the question of the perpetrator. Compton Mackenzie claims that Inspector Campbell 'knew who was guilty of the mutilations and he decided to arrest him'. I don't know how CM could know that and it seems that he's borrowed from ACD's writings. The whole police investigation appears to have been bungled and I don't like to think that my grandfather was responsible. I like to think that he was conscientiously doing what he was told to do by his superiors.
Contemporary press photographs, all copyright of World's Graphic Press (not extant) with their own captions. Original prints in my possession.
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In the picture John Horobin and Thomas Cooper are shown. These are the two men who state that they passed the field in which the outrage took place at 6 a.m. and they there saw the brown horse kicked by another horse. This is a theory that the Police in charge of the case uphold, though Mr. Watson, the Vet: Surgeon, who was called in, is just as emphatic in stating that the wound was maliciously inflicted by a sharp instrument.
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MAIMING OUTRAGES The horse - the victim of the last outrage.
The horse - a dark Brown, valued at £35 - is the property of Mr. Atkins a Walsall grocer. It was out at grass at Stencils Farm, close to Walsall. It was found with a gaping wound eleven inches long across its Flank - the wound after being sewn up is clearly seen in our picture[.] Mr. John Watson, the Veterinary Surgeon of Walsall who was at once called in by the Police is also seen standing by the horse. This picture clearly shows the method of maiming employed by the culprit. |
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THE ONLY WITNESS OF THE OUTRAGE.
The donkey that was the dumb witness of the Maiming. This donkey was in company with the horse that was killed. The animal is very difficult to approach and our picture was procured under difficulty. |
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GREAT WYRLEY MAIMING TRAGEDY
The latest photograph of the Revd Edalji. |
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WHERE TRACES OF BLOOD WERE FOUND.
The Police and detectives at work examining the surroundings of the actual spot where the outrage occurred. This is typical of the extreme care that is being used to find any clues that may assist in the search for the culprit. Traces of blood were found in this cornfield. |
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SCENE OF THE OUTRAGE
The police and detectives are seen searching for traces of the Maimer on the spot the horse died. The Pool of Blood was found in the centre of this Paddock. |
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THE GREAT WYRLEY MYSTERY
The Police and Detective Officers in charge of the case of the latest maiming tragedy at Stanley's farm, Landywood, proceeding to the scene of the outrage to open investigations in the early morning after receiving the news. |
Inspector John Campbell (in dooorway) with Superintendant Bishop on his left. Copyright Staffordshire Record Office.