A simple Pillar Box in Edinburgh

Back in 1953 Scottish Republicans coalesced in a way we haven't seen since those few years in the early fifties. This depressing snippet is far outweighed by what I've summarised below. The summarising is of some source material I researched with a few pointers on how to read the original stuff yourself.

To get it, I took some dates inside my head into the Mitchell Library reading room and read. This is my one and only tip.

A Collection of Ciphers

The Scots Independent reported, in 1952 how a series of Pillar Boxes would be erected with the objectionable "EiiR" monogram across Scotland by the British Government, in order to celebrate the Coronation of Elizabeth of England.

Summarised from: the Scots Independent, December 1952, Page 2

The Pillar Box in Edinburgh

Location: Inch Housing Scheme, Edinburgh

28 November, 1952: Pillar Box unveiled in Edinburgh. It had on it, the Royalist Cipher "EiiR". Mainstream Nationalists, disapproving of this since there had never been an Elizabeth the First to lord it over the citizens disapproved and would argue in courts. There were destined to lose.

What happened next would change things :

36 hours after the unveiling, the Pillar Box was daubed in tar.

8 days after the unveiling, the police, acting on a warning found Gelignite in a brown envelope inside the Post Box. With it was a note which read: "Danger. To the Postmaster General. We trust you will pay attention to Mr. Stuart."

22nd December, 1952: The "ii" in EiiR were daubed with white paint.
2nd January, 1953: An amatuerish attempt to blow up the pillar box was tried out.
7th February, 1953: A man hammers (and remarkably) damages the numerals on the Pillar Box
10th February, 1953: The Pillar Box is repaired
12th February, 1953: The Pillar Box is blown to pieces by a substance believed to be Gelignite.

The explosion would be claimed by two organisations: the Scottish Republican Army (the most likely candidates) and the "Hundred Men"

The pillar box in Edinburgh would inevitably be replaced. This time there was no cipher.

Summarised from: the Scots Independent, March 1953, Page 2

When even the Bailies resist...

A Bailie, sworn into becoming a magistrate who refused to acknowledge that Brenda (present -day codename for Elizabeth) was "the second" found that the person swearing him in was perfectly happy not to include the "the second" part.

From: Daily Record, "New Bailie omits part of the oath", May 9th, 1953

In Broad Daylight?

During lunch hour, Messrs Copland and Lyst shop on Sauchiehall Street had the "ii" from the Elizabethan monogram stolen by a man who, after whipping it off the display, disappeared down Wellington Street. This was in spite of being warned beforehand about it. This was also in spite of the lunchtime crowds, none of whom (conveniently for this particular protagonist) would be able to say who he, in fact, actually was or looked like.

From: Daily Record, "Crowds see man whip "ii" from EiiR display", Saturday May 23rd, 1953

And then we invaded England (again)

In an article entitled "Blue Bonnets across the Border" it is reported how Scottish Nationalists were busy targetting the "EiiR" monogram / cipher in an attempt to get Elizabeth to change this historical travesty. Specifically mentioned were areas in Northumberland and Flodden Field (quoted in the Scots Independent from the Scotsman).

Article: Scots Independent, July 1953, Page 4

Sooner or later you just have to admit defeat...

The Scots Independent ran a story on the Scottish Republican Army. It reported how the police initially viewed the SRA as "little unconnected groups of irresponsible youths." It went on to described how that "So far the SRA's [...] successful exploits include have been the destruction of EiiR Coronation symbols and the bombing of an Edinburgh Post Box because it bore the new royal cipher."

The story was ran after the Daily Mail reported how the SRA was about to link up with the IRA for a campaign. So much for disaffected youths and the enduring paranoia of journalists...

From: Scots Independent, November 1953, Page 1

What was the SRA doing?

The Scots Independent remained gripped on the SRA (as was the mainstream press at the time, circulating a series of wild claims and trials).

Three events were listed as being possibly linked to SRA activities: a raid on Milngavie Quarry for explosives, an attack on a Glasgow Labour exchange and a plan to raid a rifle club in Largs.

From: Scots Independent, January 1954, Page 3

Legacy?

Surprisingly, at least for Scotland's warrior culture, who are usually quicker to fight than Mike Tyson with his hotel maid, there is a legacy from this period: Despite the Agents Provocateurs, despite the Press Paranoia and the many, many arrests you'll be hard pressed to find an EiiR cipher in Scotland. It's been reported from Independent sources inside the Royal Mail in Scotland that there are no pillar boxes with the EiiR monogram in Scotland.

Up and down the country, from professional people to organised gangs a campaign was engendered and... surprise sur-fucking-prise WE WON.

The next time you read some Independence Organisation bitching about themselves on a public forum and bringing the rest of us into disrepute remember that some of us still believe. Some of us KNOW our history and our unity and the capability that we have. We remember what we achieve when we are united.