The Skeleton Army
The Skeleton Army fights the Salvation Army in the streets, 1884
During the late 19th Century the recently formed Salvation Army were taking their message of virtuous clean living to the streets of Britain, deliberately targeting drunks, gamblers, prostitutes and other ‘undesirables’. The Salvation Army’s unconventional approach was abrasive to both the Christian establishment and many of those they were preaching to. In choosing to attack popular working class pastimes, they whipped up a violent grassroots reaction and their provocative style of disseminating their message often resulted in public disturbances. Towards the end of 1881 in Weston-Super-Mare a rag tag bunch of libertines, drunkards, publicans and brothel-keepers began an organised opposition to the Salvation Army; the Skeleton Army. Very soon Skeleton Armies started appearing throughout the country. The Skeleton Army’s chief purpose was to disrupt Salvation Army activity whenever they surfaced in public. The methods were varied, from the mischievous mockery of the Salvation Army’s music and songs in order to make their processions pointless, to openly attacking them in the street. They would pelt the Salvationists with paint filled eggs, dead animals, burning coals and anything else available. When missiles were not to be found, fists, feet and sticks were used. The police would rarely intervene, and when they did, the Salvation Army’s unpopular militant manner meant they were just as, if not more likely, to fall foul of their attention. Some in positions of authority, such as the Mayor of Eastbourne, even joined brewers and other supporters by endorsing the actions of the Skeleton Army. The Skeleton Army imitated much of the regalia of the Salvation Army. They too had a uniform of sorts; they would recognise each other by apparel or accessories adorned with skull and crossbones. Their flags would feature skulls, skeletons and coffins. The Salvation Army’s slogans were also turned against them. Blood and Fire became Blood and Thunder; whilst their three S’s, Soup, Soap and Salvation was replaced by the three B’s; Beef, Beer and Bacca. They also produced their own blasphemous and obscene newsletters to promote their cause. Riots occurred frequently wherever the Salvation Army marched but it was in April 1884 in Worthing, shortly after they obtained their first rented premises that things came to a head. Their barracks shared an alley with a liquor store and following a protest against drinking the week before, the store keeper in anger erected a barricade in the alley. The landlord, Mr George Head, tore this down, inflaming the situation. By now, popular opposition to the Salvation Army’s message of temperance was growing, and the Worthing Excelsior Skeleton Army was born. Within days, mainly due to the existence of resident troublemakers the Bonfire Boys, they numbered 4,000 and enjoyed the support of local newspaper The Worthing Gazette. Riots involving the Salvation Army and the Skeleton Army became regular, and a very serious confrontation was inevitable. General William Booth, head of the Salvation Army confined the newly appointed Captain Ada Smith and her group to their barracks whilst he pleaded with various law enforcers, all the way up to the Home Secretary, seeking protection for them. No assurance was given but General Booth ordered them to march out again regardless. Foreseeing trouble, Worthing police drafted in extra officers in an attempt to keep the peace. At 2pm, 17th August, the Salvation Army had congregated outside their hall. Police lined the route of their march, truncheons poised as the Salvationists marched past the baiting Skeletons. Despite tensions, matters remained peaceful until the Salvation Army were approaching the end of their procession. Just before they had reached the safety of their hall, the Skeleton Army had over taken them by some thirty yards. The march halted and after a brief pause the Skeletons ploughed into the Salvationists. The atmosphere was charged with blood and the sound of screaming and breaking glass. The Salvation flag soon fell, leaving just the skull and crossbones flag of the Skeletons flying. The police were quick in attempting to crush the disturbance, to no avail. The Salvation Army soon retreated to Montague Hall, where the Skeletons attempted to burn the building down. The landlord, keen to protect his property, shot into the crowd, injuring several of the Skeletons. Only when troops were sent in, and the Riot Act read, was law and order restored. Skeleton Armies continued to sporadically pop up around the country until 1892. In their decade of resistance to the Salvation Army, they were responsible for dozens of riots and several deaths. Eventually the authorities clamped down on their activities, and combined with the increasing popularity of the Salvation Army, their numbers dwindled. Thus ended a short and unruly period of English social history. |
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