Not since the Blantyre riots of February 1887, had there been a more serious incident of rioting and disorder in Blantyre than the disruptive events which occurred on Saturday 25th May 1907. This is the little known story of riots on Glasgow Road and police attempts to regain order. It started when the Hibernian R.C […]
As Hogmanay 1909 turned into New Years Day 1910, Blantyre police didn’t want a repeat of thefts of the previous year, so they initiated a stakeout of popular Blantyre Pubs, which proved to be their good decision. It was a weekend stakeout of the New Year Season, from the Friday until the Monday and special […]
On Wednesday 8th July 1914, a somewhat unusual case relating to betting in the street arrived before Sheriff Shennan in a Hamilton Court. I’ve mentioned before on this page about people who used to bet on Blantyre street corners, being lifted by police and charged. Though this case was similar, a bit of twist gave […]
William Lockhart was born in Airdrie in 1850, and as a boy of year of 10 years of age, he worked as a trapper in the pits. In July 1872, he joined the police force and served in various districts throughout Lanarkshire. When the disaster occurred at Blantyre Collieries in October 1877 he was at […]
A riot broke out in High Blantyre Main Street on the night of Friday 23rd July 1920. Some of you may be thinking, “well, nothing new there then!”, but you would be wrong, for this was much more serious than any quarrel. On that evening, almost 100 years ago, angry men took to the streets […]
For some time in 1924, Blantyre police had been in possession of information that a strong alcoholic smell had been coming from a cellar below an “unnamed” shopkeeper ‘s premises on Glasgow Road. In consequence, the premises were put under observation by the police, a stakeout if you like! When suspects entered the cellar, police […]
Sergeant Archibald MacMillan retired in February 1967 after more than 30 years’ service with Lanarkshire County Police. He was stationed at Blantyre from 1959 right up until his retirement and prior to 1959 had served in Clelland, Cambuslang, Mount Vernon, Bellshill and New Stevenson. Archibald (or Archie as he was known), was originally from Tarbert, […]