File:Walter Firth, soldier, arrested for pawning military uniform (21835897085).jpg

Name: Walter Firth Arrested for: not given Arrested at: North Shields Police Station Arrested on: 19 October 1914 Tyne and Wear Archives ref: DX1388-1-256-Walter Firth

The Shields Daily News for 21 October 1914 reports:

“RECRUITS’ OFFENCES. UNLAWFULLY PAWNING MILITARY UNIFORM AT NORTH SHIELDS.

Today at North Shields Walter Firth (17), soldier, stationed at the King Edward School, North Shields, was charged on remand, with unlawfully pawning with Messrs Fisher Ltd, Pawnbrokers, on the 17th two pairs of men’s drawers.

Ethel Milburn, assistant with Fisher Ltd, said that at 2pm on the 17th inst. defendant came to the shop and offered the drawers in pledge. He said he was a soldier and had just bought them. Defendant gave the name of Harry Smith, Bedford Street, and witness advanced 2s 6d on the goods.

Sergeant George Turner of the West Riding Regiment said the defendant was a private in the regiment and witness had two pairs of drawers, which were the property of the regiment. The drawers produced were similar to those given to defendant. Witness had examined the defendant’s kit and missed the drawers.

Detective Graham said he proceeded to another pawn shop and found defendant offering two pairs of drawers in pledge. He questioned the defendant and not being satisfied with his answers arrested defendant.

Firth said he did not think it very serious. He was going to bring the drawers back on pay day. The bench questioned an officer of the regiment regarding the drawers being stamped and it was stated that owing to hurried issue of the goods these had not been stamped but all the rest were. A fine of 10s and costs was imposed.

A similar charge was preferred against John Smith, soldier, the offence being that he pawned the drawers with Messrs Graham and Co, Stephenson Street. The soldier, Firth, who was fined in previous case was called to give evidence and stated that Smith asked him to pledge the goods. He got 2s 3d on them. Robert Blakeburn, assistant with Graham and co, said Firth offered the drawers to pledge and witness was suspicious so he sent for the police. A fine of 2s 6d and costs was imposed".

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.