Mike Covell’s Blogg

On Thursday 12^th May 2011 I was fortunate enough to visit the Hull Prison exhibition, “Within these Walls.”  I had thought that the exhibition was just about Hull Prison, so was quiet surprised to see that the exhibition covered the long history of prisons in Hull, their creation and the people they catered for.  Former prisons, including the Castle-street Gaol, the House of Correction, and a number of other pertinent sites are included, along with sketches and maps illustrating their locations around Hull.

 Moving along the wall we see the creation of Hull Prison, a location that has housed in the past Charles Bronson, Frankie Fraser, Frank “The Mad Axe Man” Mitchell, Ian Brady, and members of the Kray firm and Richardson gang.  The prison has also served as a fire station, prisoner of war camp, and borstal, and during the War suffered when several bombs hit the prison.   

The exhibition, set up by Rob Nicholson, is amazing, and whilst the room in which it is contained is only a small room, there is enough information present to please everyone from the historian, to people with a curiosity for what goes on at the prison.  

 A selection of weapons created by the prisoners are also on display including toothbrush knives, knuckle dusters and many other imaginative weapons.  There is also a collection of weapons created using the bones from various meals which was fascinating.  Also on display is the lock mechanism from the condemned cell!  

 Among the most interesting items was a burial map of the 10 prisoners who were executed at the prison.  For some years I was always informed that the ghost of Ethel Major is restless because the prison authorities had forgotten where she was buried, but this document, along with a list of graves, proves this local historical legend.   

 The 10 executions include, Arthur Richardson, William James Bolton, Charles William Aston, Thomas Siddle, John Freeman, William George Smith, Hubert Ernest Dalton, George Emanuel Michael, Roy Gregory and Ethel Lillie Major.  

 I visited the museum with a view to donating some of my historical research to the exhibition and hope to send material along regarding the first governor Henry Webster, the man responsible for Frederick Bailey Deeming whilst he was locked up in 1890, and who subsequently identified Deeming in Australia in 1892.  

Whilst the exhibition is only taking up one room it is hoped, and I hope so too, that it will eventually take up more space and feature more information and exhibits.

 All in all it was a wonderful trip, eye opening, thought provoking, and an opportunity for a rare glimpse within the walls of one of Hull’s most notorious buildings.

 Thank you for the invite Rob, and good luck with the exhibition.