On This Day, 28 September 1917

Birmingham Mail

Friday 28 September 1917

A BULL RING SPEECH

CHARGE AGAINST A BORDESLEY GREEN MAN

Charles Mulgrell (41), labourer, 89, Imperial Road, Bordesley Green, was before the magistrates sitting in the Birmingham Second Police Court today, charged with making statements likely to cause dissatisfaction and alarm amongst his Majesty’s subjects.

Police-constables Harry Freeman and John McDonell were in the Bull Ring shortly after nine o’clock on Sunday night and saw prisoner mount a platform and heard him say during the course of a speech, “I have been in the employ of Vickers. They are members of the Armament Ring. They represent such countries as Italy, America, France, and Britain.  In 1912 they were in the chair of Krupps, and let me tell you this: These Vickers guns have killed half of our men in the trenches. Then, again, what about our country, King and Bishops? They are not good at all.” Police-constable Freeman took a shorthand note of the man’s speech.

Accused promised not to repeat similar words again, and he was let off with a fine of 40s.