M. Wickham's - 8 Merchant's Quay, Cork Father, Mark Wickham, with son, Michael, in front of family shop  June 1921 Cork Examiner Clipping CLICK ITEMS BELOW TO SEE DOCUMENTS During the Black & Tan Terror, Cork City felt the brunt of the assault.  British military & RIC were in the habit of grabbing young women and tying them to the front of their trucks.  The intent was twofold; To discourage Rebels from shooting at them as they patrolled Patrick Street, and to cow the rest of the population.  Actually, the result was that many young Irish women were humiliated in front of their neighbors, Mark Wickham's daughter being one of them.  The Tans finally extracted their vengeance on Cork by burning the city center December 11, 1920, less than a month after they pinned the warning (see below) on Cork shop doors.  There is no direct link between the two events but the note goes a long way to show the corrosive relationship between Cork citizens and the police & military. Nov, 1920 - Warning from the Black & Tans pinned to doors in Cork - Nov. 1920 June 20, 1921 - British Military Order To Close IRA authorization to defy closing order July 5, 1921 - Close Order rescinded due to Truce The Wickham's did a lively business in repairing Primus Stoves.  The stoves were used by farmers in Ireland, and the largest model was popular with moonshiners.  Repairs to the large stoves were usually done on-site.  Primus Stove History