The Battersea Poltergeist

Between 1928 and 1929, a house in Battersea, south London, was the scene of intense poltergeist activity that drew national attention. The phenomena were so violent and persistent that the case became one of the most thoroughly investigated of the era.

The Family

The Robinson family lived at Eland Road in Battersea. The household included Frederick Robinson, his wife, and their children. The family had no history of supernatural experiences before the outbreak began.

The Onset

Activity began in late 1928 with lumps of coal flying through the house. The coal appeared to materialize from thin air, striking furniture and walls. Within days, other objects joined the onslaught: ornaments, keys, silverware, and household items flew about without visible cause.

The Escalation

The activity grew increasingly violent. Furniture overturned. Beds were violently shaken while family members slept. Loud crashes and bangs sounded throughout the night. The family’s teenage daughter seemed to be a particular focus, with objects flying toward or away from her.

The Investigation

Harry Price, Britain’s foremost psychic investigator, examined the case. He witnessed objects moving and documented the phenomena thoroughly. Despite his best efforts, he could not explain the activity through fraud or natural causes. Police were called multiple times but could do nothing.

The Speculation

Some investigators suggested the teenage daughter was unconsciously generating the phenomena, a common pattern in poltergeist cases. Others proposed a genuine haunting. The Robinson family rejected all explanations; they simply wanted the terror to end.

The Resolution

The activity ceased gradually in 1929. The family moved from the house, and no subsequent residents reported similar phenomena. The case remained unexplained and contributed significantly to the study of poltergeist phenomena in Britain.

Assessment

The Battersea Poltergeist case is notable for its duration, intensity, and the caliber of its investigation. Whatever caused the phenomena, the Robinson family experienced genuine terror that disrupted their lives for over a year.