Albert Henry Wilkins (1877-1928) was a great uncle to me - he was a brother of my grandmother Gertrude Taylor nee Wilkins (1890-1919). There is an article about his life on this blog.
In 1923, betting was heavily regulated with much of the opposition to it coming from the Church and social reformers. On-course betting on horse races was allowed, but other betting was not. Unofficial betting was popular, despite being illegal. Off-course bookmakers were not legalised until 1960.
The following newspaper items describe a brush Albert had with the police while he was running his eating house at 14 Beresford Street, Woolwich.
West Ham and South Essex Mail - Friday 16 November 1923
ALLEGED WOOLWICH BETTING HOUSE
POLICE RAID, THREE ARRESTS
At Woolwich Police Court, on Monday, Albert Wilkins. 46, caterer, and Florence Wilkins, 20, waitress, 14 Beresford Street, Woolwich and Arthur Smith, labourer, 85 High Street, Woolwich, were charged with being found at 14 Beresford Street, premises alleged to being used as a betting house. Albert and Florence Wilkins were further charged with keeping a betting house at 14, Beresford Street. Mr Saunders prosecuted for the police, and Mr. Torkington defended. The prisoners pleaded not guilty, and elected to go for trial.
Sub. Div. lnspector Wilford said that under his instructions, observations were kept on 14 Beresford Street, an eating house. He obtained a search warrant, and found Albert Wilkins and Florence Wilkins, his niece, in a back room. He told them his business, and the man replied “I’m guilty," and produced five betting slips from his pocket, adding. "That's all I've got”. Later Albert Wilkins produced from the mantelshelf two football betting coupons and a ready reckoner. Sergt. Parker went round the premises with Albert and presently returned with two envelopes, one containing eight betting slips and the other 21. Parker in the Wilkins' hearing, said that he had found them in the cellar. Whilst witness was sitting in the back room, Smith was, shown in by P.C. Clarke. Witness asked him to turn his pockets out, and he was found to be in possession of 36 betting slips. The three were then arrested and taken to Woolwich police station, where they were charged and did not reply. A betting slip was found in Albert Wilkins' waistcoat pocket, but nothing relating to betting was found on Florence Wilkins. At the station Smith produced 14 blank football coupons relating to that day's football. The betting slips also referred to Saturday's racing.
Cross examined, Sub. Div. Inspector Wilford said that at the shop, Florence Wilkins declared that she was not guilty. Albert Wilkins did not say that he had taken slips in the street. There was a genuine coffee house business carried on at the shop and nothing was known against Albert, who had been there several years.
At this stage, prisoners were remanded on bail.
Woolwich Herald - Friday 28 December 1923
BETTING AT WOOLWICH RESTAURANT
At the London Sessions last week, Albert Wilkins, 46, caterer, 14 Beresford Street, Woolwich, indicted for keeping and using those premises for the purpose of betting, was fined £50. Florence Wilkins, waitress, charged with assisting in the conduct of the house, was acquitted.
£50 in 1923 is equivalent to about £12,500 now (calculated relative to the wage of the average worker).
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