File:Mona Wilson, arrested for theft (22168622511).jpg

Name: Mona Wilson Arrested for: not given Arrested at: North Shields Police Station Arrested on: 21 January 1916 Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-266-Mona Wilson

For an image of her husband John P. Wilson see www.flickr.com/photos/twm_news/22168622561/in/dateposted/.

The Shields Daily News for 28 January 1916 reports:

“A SOLDIER AND HIS WIFE CHARGED WITH STEALING.

John Peter Wilson (33), a soldier, and his wife Mona Wilson were brought up on remand at North Shields today, charged with having stolen on the 7th inst from a dwelling house, situated at 83 Norfolk Street, one bed quilt, foot wrap, flannelette sheet, three blouses and two aprons, valued at 35s, the property of Jennie Sawyer, or otherwise receiving the same, well knowing them to have been stolen.

Jennie Sawyer of 83 Norfolk Street, stated that on the 3rd inst. the defendants took a combined room at the address and on the 7th inst. they left without notice. Witness was suspicious and on examining the room missed the articles produced, which were valued at 35s. William Oliver Brown of Wallsend said the female defendant pledged the articles for 5s 6d at his place of business on the 7th inst.

Det. Mason stated that on the 7th inst. he received a complaint respecting the theft of the above articles and on the 19th inst. he addressed a letter to the male defendant, care of the Newcastle Post Office. When the defendant called for the letter witness arrested him. Later he went to Stanton Street, Newcastle and arrested the female defendant. When charged the male defendant replied “All I have got to say is she stole them at my instigation”. His wife replied “I have as much to do with it as he has”.

Both pleaded guilty and Wilson said his wife should not be punished because she did not steal the things. The female defendant said she was very sorry; she had never done such a thing in her life before. Wilson was committed to prison for one month with hard labour and his wife was dismissed”.

These images are taken from an album of photographs of prisoners brought before the North Shields Police Court between 1902 and 1916 (TWAM ref. DX1388/1). This set is our selection of the best mugshots taken during the First World War. They have been chosen because of the sharpness and general quality of the images. The album doesn’t record the details of each prisoner’s crimes, just their names and dates of arrest.

In order to discover the stories behind the mugshots, staff from Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums visited North Shields Local Studies Library where they carefully searched through microfilm copies of the ‘Shields Daily News’ looking for newspaper reports of the court cases. The newspaper reports have been transcribed and added below each mugshot.

Combining these two separate records gives us a fascinating insight into life on the Home Front during the First World War. These images document the lives of people of different ages and backgrounds, both civilians and soldiers. Our purpose here is not to judge them but simply to reflect the realities of their time.