Shortly after 8am on Tuesday, July 23rd 1912 – the sound of the tolling bell from inside Stangeways Gaol closed the final chapter of a story that first began in the cotton manufacturers of Jubilee Mill in early May of the same year.

Outside the walls of the prison, over 700 people, mainly women, had  congregated outside to show their disproval at the sentence handed down  to 22 year old Arthur Birkett and as the sound of the bell echoed inside the cold, damp walls of the prison, tears flowed not only in Manchester but also on the streets of Blackburn as hundreds of well-wishers and supporters had made their way to Birkett’s home at number 54 Riley Street.

From 7am that morning, there where pitiful scenes outside his house as supporters sang hymns that included “Nearer, my God, to Thee” and “Safe in the arms of Jesus” as well as “God be with you till we meet again” and inside the house, Mrs Birkett and Arthurs brother as well as Mrs Beetham (Isobella) were being comforted by the Reverand F. G. Chevassut.

Many women began weeping as a Salvation Army officer  mounted a chair and began conducting a service near the front door and  when Birkett’s mother and brother both came outside, their tear stained  faces showing extreme signs of distress, the crowd could not hide their  grief, singing even louder as the music to “Nearer, my God, to Thee” began to play once more.

But behind all this emotion and indeed sadness lies a truly horrific tale that began, simply, because of rejection.