Harry Edward Vickers
Harry Edward Vickers, (29 April 1888 – 6 December 1942) was a notorious and elusive "cat burglar" who was active in the 1930s.
Harry Edward Vickers (Flannelfoot) | |
|---|---|
 9th Battalion, Rifle Brigade | |
| Born | Harry Edward Vickers 29 September 1888 Reading, Berkshire, England |
| Died | 9 December 1942 (aged 54) |
| Other names | Henry Williams, Flannelfoot |
| Occupation | Butcher, rifleman and burglar |
He wore flannel over his shoes to muffle his footsteps which earned him the nickname Flannelfoot. His ability to avoid detection and capture by the Metropolitan Police was, for many years, the subject of media sensationalism. Whilst the Met had determined his identity and his address, they lacked sufficient proof to make an arrest and so planned to catch him red handed. He was eventually arrested for "being in possession of housebreaking implements at night", having been followed from his home. He was sentenced at Middlesex Sessions Court on 2 December 1937, receiving five years penal servitude for housebreaking.
Harry's unique method of burglary was the cause of his notoriety. He would use rags or cloth taken from the houses he burgled, and use them to muffle his footsteps. He would also steal and later discard a bicycle as part of his getaway. The rags were also discarded. Upon finding these items, police were able to attribute the crime to Flannelfoot with confidence. Harry would also open windows by drilling a single hole close to the latch. This was yet another clue that the burglar was Flannelfoot. Clearly a nickname was required in the years before he was identified.[1]
Military service
Harry Edward Vickers served as a rifleman in the Rifle Brigade (The Prince Consort's Own) from July 1916 to July 1918 on active service in France and Flanders. He sustained a serious leg injury that then prevented him from serving and was awarded the Silver War Badge along with the Victory Medal and British War Medal.[2][3]
Crime attributions
Hounslow September 1921, The press reported that "Flannelfoot" as he is known by the police, has broken into the house of a prominent local singer at Hounslow and stolen, among other things, his false teeth. He stole socks and gloves which he evidently wore over his boots and hands, then discarded later.[4][5]
Isleworth March 1922, Newspapers report that a Hounslow burglar known locally as "Flannelfoot" raided houses in Aylett Road, Isleworth. He took money from gas meters and a handbag, but left a child's money box unopened despite moving it. Flannelfoot padded his feet with a napkin and overall from the first house then left them in the last house. The reports mention the theft of false teeth and of eating a laid out wedding breakfast previously. [6][7][8][9][10][11]
November 1922, A report in November of further break ins at Isleworth, in South-Western Terrace where gas meters were robbed. Attributed to Flannelfoot.[12]
Harrow October 1923, A report of several burglaries in the Harrow district over recent weeks, attributed to Flannelfoot. Thefts were mostly money and some small articles. In some cases he ate food, and in several of the cases a bicycle was stolen. Entry was gained in most cases by drilling a hole in a scullery or kitchen window frame to insert a wire and lift the latch.[13]
Kenton November 1923, A report of burglaries on one night in Carlton Avenue, Kenton attributed to Flannelfoot. Small articles and loose money were taken and a hearty meal made in one of the houses. [14]
May 1927, A report of eight burglaries at Kenton Park Crescent believed to be by a burglar known as Flannelfoot, due to the method of entry and items stolen. All houses had a hole drilled in the kitchen casement window from which the fastener was opened. Items stolen were mainly money, small items of jewellery and food. Baby clothes were removed from a line and discarded later, evidently for the purpose of binding his feet.[15]
Cheam March 1931, A report that Scotland Yard are baffled by Flannelfoot, a mysterious burglar who has been operating in London and the suburbs for a number of years. He wraps his feet in flannels, enters by boring a hole in a window to release the cash and sometimes steals a bicycle. He is believed to have been recently active in the Cheam Surrey district.[16]
Ponders End October 1936, Flannelfoot The Modern Raffles (Western Daily Press headline) A report that a case of housebreaking at Lincoln's Lane, Ponders End is interesting Scotland Yard as it may have been committed by Flannelfoot. [17][18]
Orpington December 1936, A report that four houses in Repton Road, Orpington were burgled. Only small amounts of money and a bicycle were taken and "Flannelfoot" the notorious raider who has escaped arrest for years is suspected."[19]
Harlington March 1937, A report states that five houses were burgled on the New Wimpey Estate and is it Flannelfoot? Details are given of each burglary – small amounts of money, the contents of a meter and a bicycle. Another report a week later states more Harlington burglaries are this time not Flannelfoot but ‘Spring Heel Jack’ as he was seen escaping from an upper window onto the roof.[20]
Southall October 1937, More burglaries at Southall are reported in Allenby Road and police believe Flannelfoot is responsible. Four houses were broken into and about £5 stolen in total.[21]
Copycat Crimes
December 1936 An article about Flannelfoot "The criminal who has eluded police for 25 years." It states specially selected Scotland Yard officers are working on the Flannelfoot operation and that they believe there is more than one burglar and that Flannelfoot has probably trained others. This is based on his presumed age and incidences of burglaries where one man couldn't have committed both. (Later it was accepted that Flannelfoot worked totally alone.)[22]
January 1937 A report that six boys appeared at Manchester Juvenile Court for 39 cases of house and shop breaking in Manchester. They had left a note signed Flannelfoot in one house.[23]
Identification
In May 1934 newspapers report that Scotland Yard have circulated a girl's picture in the hunt for Flannelfoot. She is the 13-year-old daughter of a Reading butcher named Henry Williams also known as Harry Edward Vickers. His daughter is believed to be living with him.[24]
Flannetfoot's holiday
June 1936 A report of a telephone call to Winchmore Hill Police Station supposedly from the burglar Flannelfoot. He said "I am going to Brighton for a spell, so you needn't worry until I return. I will let you know." Police are unable to determine if it is a hoax. [25]
September 1936Flannelfoot's Return. Elusive Burglar Who Went on Holiday A report that having telephoned the police in June to say that he was going to Brighton on holiday, Flannelfoot has returned and committed three burglaries, two in Greenford and one in Stanmore, Middlesex. A bicycle was also stolen and later abandoned. [26]
Capture, trial and sentencing
December 1937 It is widely reported that Henry Williams believed to be the burglar known as Flannelfoot has been arrested and tried at the Middlesex Sessions [27] [28] [29]
Flannel Foot Sentenced STATED by Christmas Humphreys, prosecuting, to be the man whom the Press had chosen call Flannel Foot, Henry Williams, aged 49, described as a clerk, of Royal-crescent, Holland Park, pleaded "guilty" at Middlesex Sessions to-day to four charges of- breaking and entering dwelling-houses in the London area, one charge of burglariously breaking out of house at Motspur Park, and one charge of possessing housebreaking implements night at Ruislip. He had been committed from Uxbridge on 18 November. Williams pleaded guilty to 34 other charges, and wished to have them taken into considaration. He was sentenced to five years' penal servitude. Williams, a smartly dressed man, smiled in the dock as he pleaded guilty. The clerk of the court read out a list of housebreaking implements found on Williams. Williams agreed that he had been previously convicted of larceny at the Central Criminal Court in 1911.[30] In his favour Mr Humphreys said "Obviously he has been acting as a professional cash burglar for a great many years, but he has never used violence, he has never caused undue damage, he has never so much as frightened a single individual.[29]
Flannelfoot books and films
Great Cases of Scotland Yard (factual)[31]
Horwell of the Yard (factual)[32]
Flannel-Foot (novel)[33] This fictional work by Doug Dovey is based in the 1960s.
Flannelfoot (movie) 1953[34] This 1953 film depicts Flannelfoot as a violent thief and murderer. The real Flannelfoot never used violence and this was mentioned by the judge during his trial.
References
- https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1499&dat=19380105&id=cbFQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=BiIEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5803%2C1056613
- UK, WW1 Service Medal Award Rolls 1914–1920
- British Army WW1 Medal Roll Index Cards 1914–1920
- Sunday Post 4 September 1921 p2
- Nottingham Journal 5 September 1921 p2
- Birmingham Gazette 2 March 1922 p5
- Nottingham Journal 2 March 1922 p7
- Nottingham Evening Post 2 March 1922 p1
- Sheffield Daily Independent 2 March 1922 p5
- Dundee Evening Telegraph 2 March 1922 p5
- Market Harborough Advertiser 7 March 1922 p7
- Birmingham Gazette 22 November 1922 p5
- Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette 5 October 1923 p3
- Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette 9 November 1923 p3
- Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette 20 May 1927
- Daily Herald 3 March 1931
- Western Daily Press and Bristol Mirror 13 October 1936
- Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail 13 October 1936
- Daily Herald (front page). 17 December 1936
- Uxbridge and West Drayton Gazette 5 March 1937 and 12 March 1937
- West London Observer 8 October 1937
- Dundee Evening Telegraph 26 December 1936
- Northern Daily Mail 11 January 1937
- Daily Herald 25 May 1934
- The Daily Mail 2 June 1936
- Gloucester Citizen 15 September 1936 Gloucester Journal. 19 September 1936
- Northern Daily Mail 2 December 1937 The Midland Daily Telegraph 2 December 1937 (front page)
- Daily Herald. 3 December 1937 (front page)
- The Illustrated Police News 9 December 1937 p8
- Hull Daily Mail 2 December 1937
- Great Cases of Scotland Yard Volume One by Eric (introduction); Elizabeth Jenkins; Michael Innes; Andrew Garve; Ludovic Kennedy; Clive Egleton Ambler
- Horwell of the Yard. Author: John E Horwell, Publisher: Andrew Melrose 1947
- Flannel-Foot, Doug Dovey Minerva Press 2001 ISBN 0-75411-484-8
- https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212159/