Waltham shooting affray c1910.

An original photograph by Harry Shaw, Grant Thorold Studio, Grimsby.

From the days when newspapers had few photographs and enterprising, local photographers produced postcards illustrating significant local news events. In this case it was produced by ‘Shaw of Grimsby’.

The ‘Waltham Shooting Affray’ took place in 1910 at an old cottage to which the Waltham Toll Bar gate was attached. The Dunham family who lived there provided refreshments for cyclists.

One day, two men came into the shop and demanded money. Mr Dunham physically resisted and was shot in the chest. Fortunately, he was not fatally injured. A doctor removed the bullet by candlelight! The armed robbers were later arrested in Alford.

The Dunhams’ cottage stood at the crossroads, diagonally across from Toll Bar School – on the left going from Grimsby to Louth. It was demolished many years ago when the road was widened.

Can anyone add to the story?

Note the Tower Cycle Co. Ltd. and Robert Cook signs.