BLACK SOLDIERS - Liverpool Echo 29/06/1915

PROTECTION FROM INSULT IN LIVERPOOL STREETS

The stipendiary magistrate made it clear today that black men in Liverpool must not be insulted whilst they are wearing the King's uniform. He administered a scathing rebuke to a man who had indulged in a practice which of late has become far too common in this city.

The accused was Robert Starkey, a well-dressed man, who was charged with having been drunk and disorderly in St. Anne-street and with assaulting Frank Nelson, a black soldier in the Liverpool Regiment.

"It is an intolerable thing," said his worship. "Here are these coloured men putting on the King's uniform - which is more than some white men will do - and a drunken blackguard like you comes along and insults them."

The magistrate added that he noticed the prisoner was of military age.

Asked what his business was, Starkey said he was a ship's water.

"Well," continued his worship, "this is one of the most disgraceful episodes that has come under my notice since the war began. You will go to prison for fourteen days with hard labour, on the first charge, and for twenty-eight days on the second charge."

Prisoner - Any chance of a fine, sir?

The Magistrate - No.