QSR1918/4/5/1a(i) (ii) (iii)

Depositions of Witnesses Percy Frederick Arthur Child; Florence Cecilia Grace Duffield and Alec Field

14th August 1918

From: 1918 To: 1918

QSR1918/4/5/1a(i) Borough of Luton to Wit. The Examination of Percey Frederick Arthur Child of 22 Downs Road in the borough of Luton, and of Florence Cecilia Grace Duffield of 1 Russell Street in the said Borough, and of Alec Field of the Police Station in the said Borough, taken on Oath this 14th day of August in the Year of our lord One thousand Nine Hundred and Eighteen at Luton, in the Borough of Luton aforesaid, before the undersigned, one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said Borough of Luton in the presence and hearing of Ernest Moulster and Victor Edward Baxter who were charged this day before me that they the said Ernest Moulster and Victor Edward Baxter on Thursday, the 8th day of August One thousand Nine Hundred and Eighteen at the Borough of Luton aforesaid feloniously did break and enter No. 6 Williamson Street, and therein feloniously did steal a quantity of money and insurance and postage stamps value fourteen shillings and one halfpenny the property of Messrs A. R. Child and Company. QSR1918/4/5/1a(ii) & QSR1918/4/5/1a(iii) This Deponent Percy Frederick Arthur Child of 22 Downs Road Luton on his oath saith as follows: I am a partner in the firm Messrs A. R. Child and Company Straw Hat Manufacturers carrying on business sat 6 Williamson Street Luton. On the 3rd August 1918 I closed the warehouse for the August week holiday. Before leaving I securely fastened the office doors and the outer doors of the premises. As far as I know all the windows were closed, On Friday the 9th inst. In consequence of something said to me about 6.45pm. I again visited the premises and I found marks on the outside door which indicated that an attempt had been made to force it open. Inside I found the office door open. I examined the lock and found a screw had been takenout of recess of the lock and an entrance affected to the office. I also found by marks on the door of my father’s office that attempts had been made to force an entrance there. I examined the desk in the General Office and found some money missing from a box in the desk. I cannot say the amount. It was very small. (signed) Percy F. A. Child ----------------

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Child, Percy Frederick Arthur,
Duffield, Florence Cecilia Grace,
Field, Alec,
Moulster, Ernest,
Baxter, Victor Edward

Luton Russell Street, Luton Downs Road, Luton Williamson Street, breaking & entering, money