History of Kilburn and West Hampstead

In 1911 Arthur Sweetman appeared in court in Margate, charged with being in possession of offensive weapons. The magistrate was told he had been carrying an impressive armoury when taken into custody: a new heavy calibre six-chamber Colt revolver, fully loaded; 16 loose cartridges; a long-bladed sheath knife attached to his belt and a combination knife. More remarkable was that Arthur was only 16 years old. Arthur was born in Willesden and Kent was a long way from his parents’ Cricklewood home, so what was he doing there? He was arrested in Broadstairs on the evening of 25 February by PC Brenchley. Brenchley became suspicious when he saw Arthur loitering outside St Peter’s Court, a prep school where 11-year old Prince Henry the Duke of Gloucester, and the son of King George V, was a pupil. Sweetman could not give any reason for being there, so he was taken to the police station. He said he came from Deal and when searched, in addition to the weapons he was also carrying a pocket lamp, ...