Stanley James Woodbridge was born on 29 August 1921 in Chelsea, London, the son of James Henry and May Ashman Woodbridge, and the wife of Florence Edith Woodbridge, of Chingford, Essex. At the time of his death, Flight Sergeant Woodbridge was a member of 159 Squadron, based at RAF Digri, Bengal, India. On 31 January… Continue reading Stanley Woodbridge, GC
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Posthumous Pardons
This article is about four people who were tried, convicted and executed for murder and later received a posthumous pardon: Mahmood Mattan, Derek Bentley, George Kelly and Timothy Evans. TIMOTHY EVANS and JOHN REGINALD HALLIDAY CHRISTIE Mahmood Hussein Mattan was born in Somalia. He met his wife, Laura, in the late 1940s. At this time,… Continue reading Posthumous Pardons
Pooley’s Revenge
Private Albert Leonard Pooley (2023903), originally from Southall, was a regular soldier in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Norfolk Regiment. With the rest of his comrades, Pooly had gone to France as part of the British Expeditionary Force (BEF). It was through his dedicated desire to avenge his murdered comrades, that Lieutenant-Colonel Fritz Knoechlein… Continue reading Pooley’s Revenge
Capital Punishment
In the years after the end of the war in 1945, there were several notable murder cases. In fact since 1945 three four have received posthumous pardons. THE LAST EXECUTIONS IN THE UK POSTHUMOUS PARDONS After the abolishing of capital punishment, there have been several famous cases of miscarriages of justice which would have resulted… Continue reading Capital Punishment
William Joyce
The case of William Joyce must be one of the most famous treason trials in British legal history. Due to the legal issues involved, the case went to the House of Lords (the highest English court). Joyce did not deny that he committed the acts alleged, he denied that he had a duty of allegiance… Continue reading William Joyce
John Amery Leaflet
John Amery’s Proclamation of the Legion of St. George is shown below. The use of capital letters is taken from the original leaflet. BRITISH NATIONAL REPRESENTATION PROCLAMATION TO ALL BRITISH SUBJECTS INTERNED FELLOW COUNTRYMEN: 150,000 of our fellow countrymen are in prison in the home country, because they have declared themselves against this fratricidal war.… Continue reading John Amery Leaflet
John Amery Report
John Amery’s Father, Leo Amery, asked for a psychiatric report to be performed on his son. The report is reproduced on this page. The original document is held at the National Archives and has the document reference HO 144/22823. Any text effects used below are taken from the original document. PSYCHIATRIC REPORT BY DR. EDWARD… Continue reading John Amery Report
John Amery
John Amery was born on 14 March 1912, the son of Rt. Hon. Leo Amery, MP and Florence Amery. His younger brother was Julian Amery. John Amery pleaded guilty at his treason trial, which meant his court appearance lasted for just eight minutes. THE BRITISH FREE CORPS John Amery was captured by Italian Partisans at… Continue reading John Amery
1914-18 Espionage
German spies that were caught in the UK during World War One (1914-8) were dealt with under various sections of the Defence of the Realm legislation. It was for acts committed under this law, that the leaders of the Irish Easter Uprising were courts-martialled. Roger Casement, who was tried and executed in 1916, was tried… Continue reading 1914-18 Espionage
Theodore Schurch
Only one British soldier was executed under the Treachery Act 1940: Theodore John William Schurch. Both William Joyce and John Amery were convicted and executed for high treason – a different offence. Theodore John William Schurch was born on 5 May 1918 at the Queen Charlotte’s and Chelsea Hospital, Hammersmith, London, while his Swiss father… Continue reading Theodore Schurch