Statement from Arthur Stockwell, a postman in Chelsea, described finding sulphuric acid in a pillar box, May 1913 (Catalogue ref: TS 27/19)
Transcript
ARTHUR STOCKWELL on Oath saith as follows:-
I live at 293 Guinness’s Buildings, Greycoat Avenue, Chelsea.
I am a postman in the Chelsea District.
On the evening of 7 Feb. I was going to collect from the Fulham Road, Elm Place, pillar box. When I opened the box a vapour arose out of it, and a smell as of sulphuric acid. I placed my hand in to clear the letters, and immediately had it burnt by acid in the box. In the box I found a long envelope with a glass tube in it, without cork: all the liquid had been emptied into the box, and it was all over the bottom of the box.
My hand was severely burnt, and after bringing in my collection I had to go to the doctor and have it dressed. It was burnt by acid, which turned the skin brown, and the skin all came off. The acid splashed on to my trousers and also on to my overcoat.
I was under the doctor a fortnight: I was not off duty.
CALL