Hope Street, Crook: Anti-German Riots
Days after the sinking of Lusitania, a huge anti-German riot ensued
A few days after the sinking of RMS Lusitania in May 1915, a huge anti-German riot took place in the small market town of Crook in County Durham.
Some newspaper reports suggested it involved ten thousand people, more than were actually resident in the town according to the 1911 census!
Anti-German riots took place in many cities, but the Crook riot was unusually large for such a small town with no direct connection to the Lusitania. The disturbance focussed on two pork butchers shop, one was run by Anthony Bauman (or Bowman) a naturalised German, and by John Hodgson who had no apparent German connections.
Nineteen men and one woman were charged with various offences in connection with the riot. Although fourteen of them were found guilty and fined, the sentences could have been much more severe possibly reflecting a degree of public sympathy with the rioters.
Location: Hope Street, Crook, County Durham DL15 9HU
Image: Police officers manning a house following the riot. Photograph courtesy of Michael Manuel.
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