Famous Shettlestonians
Some of our project participants have researched individuals who have links to Shettleston. Here we will be posting the results of their research:
Celebrating John Wheatley ( 1869 – 1930) - Councillor and MP Shettleston
Riot in Street
Over 1000 people meeting in William Street on Wednesday, 9 June 1915 to defend a soldier’s wife and children from eviction. Clr John Wheatley writes, “ Michael McHugh is defending his country against foreign invasion.
Shettleston must defend his family from the Huns at home” Mrs McHugh family had 5 young children at home in 30 William Street, one of her sons is at home on sick leave from wounds received in battle of Mons, another son is in training at Gailles preparing for the trenches, her husband is in the trenches.
The landlord had increased the rent and issued a notice for ejection when Mrs
McHugh could not raise the arrears of rent due from April. The Landlord was Captain D J Webster, of Midlothian Drive, Glasgow.John Wheatley wanted to know how rent increases could be paid by soldiers fighting in the trenches, he said “the time had arrived when steps should be
taken to ensure that while a soldier was absent in defence of his country it would be illegal to turn his dependents out of their home.
Mrs McHugh had 5 children at home one had pneumonia and the other had whooping cough. Her rent had been paid till 28 April but she had not been able to make a payment since because she needed to buy “ nourishment to sustain life in her sick children” Shettleston Branch of Miners’ Union were arranging to clear off the arrears of rent but her case was continued till next
month.The rent arrears were 18/9p
John Wheatley accompanied Mrs McHugh to court where he reported that over 100 women were present waiting in a corner of the court many were carrying young children. “ They formed a heap of human misery”. Most women were soldiers wives. Mrs McHugh case was called and Wheatley thought there would be no difficulty but her agent was detained in another court. When her turn came , the reasons for warrant were strong enough with support from the Miners Union to pay arrears. The Sheriff cut Wheatley off when he mentioned the miners intention to pay. He was not interested “ Out in 48 Hours”
Now he was determined to advise the people what to do. An open air meeting was held in William Street . a crowd smashed the windows of the factor’s office, the warrant was not executed . By Friday, Wheatley attended the meeting again, condemning the burning of the effigy of the factor as a waste of time – he referred to a time when the crowds did the same thing to him. He suggested a deputation go to the Armaments Committee Offices to demand that this sort of thing should cease. Soldiers wives, Mothers and daughters should lead the procession , he said.
By Saturday 19 June the warrant had not been executed and Wheatley received a reply to his telegram to Kitchener at the war office – separation allowances cannot be increased to assist payment of rent. Wheatley had asked for the non eviction of soldiers’ wives whilst breadwinners were at the Front risking their lives.
John Wheatley went on to Parliament 1923 his greatest interest was in working class housing. The Wheatley Housing act became law August 1924.
Catherine McMaster Shettleston Riot 9 June 1915
Riot in Street
Over 1000 people meeting in William Street on Wednesday, 9 June 1915 to defend a soldier’s wife and children from eviction. Clr John Wheatley writes, “ Michael McHugh is defending his country against foreign invasion.
Shettleston must defend his family from the Huns at home” Mrs McHugh family had 5 young children at home in 30 William Street, one of her sons is at home on sick leave from wounds received in battle of Mons, another son is in training at Gailles preparing for the trenches, her husband is in the trenches.
The landlord had increased the rent and issued a notice for ejection when Mrs
McHugh could not raise the arrears of rent due from April. The Landlord was Captain D J Webster, of Midlothian Drive, Glasgow.John Wheatley wanted to know how rent increases could be paid by soldiers fighting in the trenches, he said “the time had arrived when steps should be
taken to ensure that while a soldier was absent in defence of his country it would be illegal to turn his dependents out of their home.
Mrs McHugh had 5 children at home one had pneumonia and the other had whooping cough. Her rent had been paid till 28 April but she had not been able to make a payment since because she needed to buy “ nourishment to sustain life in her sick children” Shettleston Branch of Miners’ Union were arranging to clear off the arrears of rent but her case was continued till next
month.The rent arrears were 18/9p
John Wheatley accompanied Mrs McHugh to court where he reported that over 100 women were present waiting in a corner of the court many were carrying young children. “ They formed a heap of human misery”. Most women were soldiers wives. Mrs McHugh case was called and Wheatley thought there would be no difficulty but her agent was detained in another court. When her turn came , the reasons for warrant were strong enough with support from the Miners Union to pay arrears. The Sheriff cut Wheatley off when he mentioned the miners intention to pay. He was not interested “ Out in 48 Hours”
Now he was determined to advise the people what to do. An open air meeting was held in William Street . a crowd smashed the windows of the factor’s office, the warrant was not executed . By Friday, Wheatley attended the meeting again, condemning the burning of the effigy of the factor as a waste of time – he referred to a time when the crowds did the same thing to him. He suggested a deputation go to the Armaments Committee Offices to demand that this sort of thing should cease. Soldiers wives, Mothers and daughters should lead the procession , he said.
By Saturday 19 June the warrant had not been executed and Wheatley received a reply to his telegram to Kitchener at the war office – separation allowances cannot be increased to assist payment of rent. Wheatley had asked for the non eviction of soldiers’ wives whilst breadwinners were at the Front risking their lives.
John Wheatley went on to Parliament 1923 his greatest interest was in working class housing. The Wheatley Housing act became law August 1924.
Catherine McMaster Shettleston Riot 9 June 1915