Freeman’s Journal

It is common to come across unusual items in Danny Dowling (1927-2021) voluminous collection. This past week we discovered in the back of a drawer several folders of documents regarding Robert Hamilton Edwards, Esq. (c. 1872-1932).  We could not find any link to Glenmore except the documents have been preserved in Danny’s collection. The most unusual item was an envelope containing a medical report and two x-rays from 1908. These x-rays were taken by Dr. William Ironside Bruce (1876-1921) an early radiologist who died young from exposure to his work. King George in 1921 publicly expressed sympathy at Bruce’s death (North Star & Farmer’s Chronicle, Sat. 2 April 1921, p. 8). Dr. Ironside Bruce’s widow, Violet, survived him by 39 years dying in 1960 (Middlesex Independent (Fri. 9 Sept. 1960, p. 7). Danny may have collected the Hamilton Edwards’ files because of his association with the demise of The Freeman’s Journal.

Early X-Rays

X-rays were discovered in 1895 with the first x-rays in Britain being made in 1896. From the typed report and the envelope containing the x-rays we know that “Mrs. Hamilton Edwards of Wenbley Orchard Wembley, Middlesex,” was the patient. For a concise article on the history of x-rays see, the British Society for the History of Radiology, “X-Rays in Medicine: The First Century.” For further information on Dr. William Ironside Bruce (1876 -1921) of Charing Cross Hospital, London, see, Dr. Adrian Thomas, Chairman of the International Society for the History of Radiology, (2021) “Ironside Bruce and the Sacrifices Made by the Early X-Ray Martyrs.”

The Patient

In 1898, Robert Hamilton Edwards married Marjorie L. W. Alexandersen (c. 1868). Thus the 1908 x-rays belonged to Marjorie. Per the 1901 Census the couple were living at Hertfordshire, Harpenden. Robert was 29 working in journalism. He reported being born in St. Pancreas, Middlesex. His wife Marjorie was 33 and was born in Leicester, Market Harborough. While little could be found in a quick search regarding the private life of the couple, Robert Hamilton Edwards became famous due to some Irish business dealings.

The Report is typed, dated 17 March 1908 and signed W. Ironside Bruce, M.D. He found that there was a fracture of the ulna, the radius and the metacarpal bone of the index finger. The two photographs of the x-rays are on green card stock with the “Case of Mrs. Hamilton Edwards” written in the upper right corner of the card stock. At the bottom of the cardstock is written “With Dr. Ironside Bruce’s Compliments.”

The Freeman’s Journal

The Freeman’s Journal was the first national newspaper published in Ireland. It was in production from 1763 to 1924. See, Felix M. Larkin (2006) “A Great Daily Organ: The Freeman’s Journal, 1763-1924” 3(14)  History Ireland website.

About 1919, the Freeman’s Journal became a two man company. The only shareholders and directors were Hamilton Edwards and Martin Fitzgerald. The commercial or business side of the management of the undertaking was in the hands of Hamilton Edwards and running of the newspaper and its policy were, for convenience, entrusted to Martin Fitzgerald who lived in Dublin (Irish Independent, Tues. 31 Oct. 1922, p. 5). Martin Fitzgerald was a wealthy Dublin wine merchant and Robert Hamilton Edwards was a well-known Fleet Street personality and formerly the managing director of the Amalgamated Press.

In 1919, the authorities raided the offices of The Freeman’s Journal. Hamilton Edwards proclaimed that “this was the greatest abuse of authority yet perpetrated on the Press of Ireland and the proper Freedom of the Newspaper was non-existent, at any rate in Dublin.” (Freeman’s Journal, Tues. 15 Dec. 1919, p. 9).

Six charges were brought under the Restoration of Order in Ireland Regulations against Fitzgerald and Hamilton Edwards for publishing statements likely to cause disaffection. In late November and early December 1920 they were Court Martialled. The Military Court found the two defendants not guilty to charges, 2, 4, 5 and 6. However, the defendants were informed by the court that they were being conveyed to Mountjoy Prison for charges 1 & 3. Prior to said time they were never arrested and attended their trial without any issues (Irish Independent Tues. 31 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

Per Hamilton Edwards’ obituary, the men were sentenced to six month’s imprisonment. “This action of the military authorities, and the sentence, provoked great resentment in England. Questions were asked in Parliament, and within a few days the British Government ordered the immediate release of the men” (Belfast Telegraph, Mon. 6 June 1932, p. 5).

Civil Cases

Reading the 1932 obituary for Hamilton Edwards’ it appeared this was the end of the Freeman’s Journal saga. However, on 12 May 1920 Robert Hamilton Edwards signed four contracts for the delivery of 7,800 tons of paper at the price of £429,528. At the time of the signing of the contracts, they were only using 15 to 29 tons of paper a week. The purchase price was four times the nominal capital and eight times the actual issued capital of the company. Martin Fitzgerald did not learn of the four contracts signed by Hamilton Edwards until both men were in Mountjoy Prison in July 1920 (Irish Independent, Tues. 31 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

A judgment was entered against the two men and Fitzgerald argued that Hamilton Edwards had signed without authority. On appeal when the judge asked where Hamilton Edwards was it was stated that he was not available. Hamilton Edwards was in Justice Pinn’s Court and had not yet been discharged from it. He had been declared bankrupt (Irish Independent, Tues. 31 Oct. 1922, p. 5).

The last edition of the Freeman’s Journal was published in January 1924. It was sold to its rival the Irish Independent. In 1925, details of the Hamilton Edwards’ bankruptcy were published. It was reported that his total liabilities amounted to £13,576. A dividend of 6s. 8.d on the £ was ordered to be paid to his creditors (Irish Examiner, Sat. 25 July 1925, p. 11).

Obituary

The Belfast Telegraph (Mon. 6 June 1932, p. 5) published an obituary for Hamilton Edwards that did not mention his civil cases or bankruptcy.

A former well-known personality in Fleet Street, Mr. Robert Hamilton Edwards, at one time managing director of the Amalgamated Press, died suddenly, aged 60, in the West End of London.

The son of Mr. John Edwards of Oswestry and London, Mr. Edwards was educated privately. Following an early teaching in financial journalism and on the staff of the late Sir George Newnes, he was for 20 years associated with the late Lord Northcliffe in the publication of “Answers” and other publications now issued from Fleetway Houses. Later Mr. Edwards became interested with Mr. Martin Fitzgerald in the direction of the Dublin Freeman’s Journal, on which he spent a large sum of money.

During the Irish troubles in 1920 both he and Mr. Fitzgerald were before a military court martial in Dublin and accused of publishing statements likely to cause disaffection. They were sentenced to six month’s imprisonment. This action of the military authorities, and the sentence, provoked great resentment in England. Questions were asked in Parliament, and within a few days the British Government order the immediate release of the men.

Latterly Mr. Edwards had been living for a great deal of his time in Paris. He was at one time the owner of a number of racehorses and had many interests. Mr. Edwards was largely interested in the land question, and had done much to assist in the development of small ownership.

Please send any corrections, additional information or photographs to glenmore.history@gmail.com .

Dr. Kathleen Moore Walsh