Overview

The story of Fred Wensley, a Somerset gardener who joined the Metropolitan Police in 1888 and retired, forty-one years later as Chief Constable of the CID, is an extraordinary one. After an abortive attempt to catch 'Jack the Ripper' by nailing strips of bicycle tyres to the soles of his boots, Wensley proceeded to arrest the ne'er-do-wells of Whitechapel, where he would spend twenty-five years of his service. Within months of joining the CID, Wensley, while off duty, arrested a double murderer. He smashed the murderous Bessarabian and Odessa gangs, brought the Vendetta gang to book when, brandishing revolvers they tried to storm a police court, played a decisive part in the Siege of Sidney Street and created the Flying Squad. Wensley's career was dogged with controversy; when Stinie Morrison was convicted of murder, was he, as he claimed, framed by Wensley? And was Edith Thompson, hanged for the murder of her husband, as Wensley stated, 'a cold-blooded murderess' or, as her defence counsel claimed, 'a fanciful dreamer'? The King's Police Medal was awarded to Wensley; he was appointed OBE and commended on many of occasions. Retired Squad officer, turned author, Dick Kirby has dug deep to paint a fascinating portrait of the man dubbed, 'The Greatest Detective of all Time'. 24 pages of mono plates

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9781783831791

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Reviews

A fascinating account of life and policing in London over 100 years ago. Whether you're looking for an interesting book about policing in the real world or a reference book about crime and capturing villains in times gone by, this is the book to buy. As usual, Dick has done it again. --Mariner's Mirror

Author Information

Dick Kirby was born in the East End of London and joined the Metropolitan Police in 1967. Half of his twenty-six years' service was spent with Scotland Yard's Serious Crime Squad and the Flying Squad. Kirby contributes to newspapers and magazines on a regular basis, as well as appearing on television and radio. The Guv'nors (2010), The Sweeney (2011), Scotland Yard's Ghost Squad (2011), Brave, Blue Line, Death on the Beat and Scourge of Soho are all published by Wharncliffe Books and he has further other published works to his credit.

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