Syllabus Edition
First teaching 2024
First exams 2026
Kelso Cochrane (Edexcel GCSE History) : Revision Note
The murder of Kelso Cochrane and its impact- Summary
Kelso Cochrane was a Black man living in Notting Hill who was murdered in 1959. Many people believed the attack was racially motivated. However, the police continued to state that it was just a robbery. No one was ever arrested, and this caused anger and mistrust in the Black community. The government did not take strong action, and racist marches were still allowed to happen.
The community came together to protest peacefully. Over 1,000 people attended Kelso’s funeral, and groups fought to stop racism. Many felt that the police, the government and newspapers were not listening to Black voices. The murder became a key moment in the history of Black British activism and helped inspire future campaigns for justice.
Who was Kelso Cochrane?
Kelso Cochrane was a 32-year-old Antiguan-born carpenter
He came to Britain in 1954 in search of work and better opportunities
He was not involved in any gang activity
He was a hard-working, engaged to be married, and well-liked in the community
Cochrane's murder
On 17 May 1959, while walking home from hospital after an accident, he was attacked and stabbed to death on Southam Street, Notting Hill
Witnesses described his attackers as white men, and many believed the murder was racially motivated
How did the police and the government respond to Kelso Cochrane's murder?
Police response
The police said there was no racial motive
They claimed it was likely a robbery
This was despite nothing being stolen
This view was widely criticised, especially by the Black community, who believed racism was clearly the motive
No one was ever arrested or charged for the murder
Government response
The Inter-Racial Friendship Coordinating Council (IRFCC) wrote to the British government asking for racist violence to be treated as a serious criminal offence
However, the Prime Minister Harold Macmillan, did not act on this request
The government allowed a march by the White Defence League to go ahead on 24th May 1959
This decision added to the community’s anger
It showed a lack of support for Black residents
How did the community respond to Kelso Cochrane's murder?
Kelso Cochrane’s murder caused shock and anger in the Caribbean community, who believed it was clearly a racially motivated attack
Many national newspapers supported the police and government view
This added to the frustration in the community
Over 1,200 people attended his funeral
It became a powerful, peaceful protest against racism and injustice
The murder became a turning point in community activism
It highlighted the need for Black-led organisations and greater political pressure to tackle racism in Britain
IMAGE
A photograph of Kelso Cochrane's funeral
Worked Example
How could you follow up Source A to find out more about the government’s response to the murder of Kelso Cochrane?
In your answer, you must give the question you would ask and the type of source you could use.
Source A: Briefing for the Assistant Under-Secretary of State Sir Austin Strutt, from a Public Relations Officer, 17th June 1959
"The most impressive point made by the deputation1 from Notting Hill … was, in my view, the need of [Black people] in Notting Hill to be reassured. They saw provocation2 by White Defenders3 and Moselyites4 carried out with apparent immunity5, so the deputation said. This made them feel that neither the Government nor anyone else in the white world cared about their predicament6. If a broadcast of the kind proposed had been made very soon after the murder of Kelso Cochrane it might have been very helpful and reassuring."
Deputation – A group of people sent to speak on behalf of others, usually to raise concerns with someone in power.
Provocation – Actions or behaviour that are likely to cause anger or lead to a strong reaction.
White Defenders – Likely refers to members of far-right or racist groups such as the White Defence League.
Moselyites – Supporters of Oswald Mosley.
Immunity – Being protected from punishment or consequences for actions.
Predicament – A difficult or dangerous situation that is hard to get out of.
(4 marks)
Answer:
Detail in Source A that I would follow up: “If a broadcast of the kind proposed had been made very soon after the murder of Kelso Cochrane it might have been very helpful and reassuring" (1)
Question I would ask: What actions did the government consider taking immediately after Kelso Cochrane’s murder? (1)
What type of source: Government meeting minutes from May–June 1959 (1)
How this might help answer my question: Government minutes could show how seriously the government treated the murder, what discussions took place, and whether any action was considered or taken in response to community concerns. (1)
Examiner Tips and Tricks
The third section asks you "What type of source I could use" to answer your historical question
In this section, avoid selecting sources such as:
Wikipedia
The Internet
A historian
The same type of source as the source identified in the question
For the example question, you should not follow up Source A with another briefing
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