PhilB Posted 3 December , 2007 Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Charles Edward Green, former soldier, 40 years old, from Braintree, Essex (possibly Pte 19137, Norfolk Regt) was interviewed in 1928 for a post as assistant hangman by Maj A Benke (possibly ex Civil Service Rifles). The report said:- Most unsuitable, the only point in his favour is, I fear, his total disregard for the sanctity of human life. Common, rough type, smelt of drink and probably already boasted in Braintree about what he would do if he became executioner. Uneducated to the degree that he could not spell "June", "Irish" and "Driller" etc without assistance. His application is written in another person`s hand. No enquiry to the local police deemed necessary. A Benke Governor, HMP Pentonville. Is Green a product of his time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 3 December , 2007 Share Posted 3 December , 2007 Are you asking if all former soldiers were illiterate, drunken, sadists? Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eyes Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Out of idle curiosity, what type of person might then have been considered acceptable for such a....um....position? A sensitive, well read and literate scholar seems somehow pointless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhill Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 From the Edmonton Bulletin of the 23rd of January, 1914: "OFFICIAL HANGMAN PLACED UNDER ARREST IN MONTREAL THEATRE MONTREAL Jan 22 --- Arthur Ellis, the Dominion executioner, who ar- rived in the city today from Prince Rupert, having been called here to be present in his official capacity at the hanging of William Campbell on Sat- urday morning, is locked up in the Chenneville arrest station. He was arrested in a box at the Or- pheum shortly before the closing of tonight's show, when the hangman is alleged to have pulled a 38 calibre gun from a holster in his belt, caus- ing great excitement among the theatre's patrons. He is being held without the option of bail on a charge of being drunk and carrying a revolver." Arthur Ellis was the traditional name of the public executioner for several generations. Remember, YOU asked! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ron Clifton Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Out of idle curiosity, what type of person might then have been considered acceptable for such a....um....position? A sensitive, well read and literate scholar seems somehow pointless. The main qualification seems to have been that your father or uncle did the job already! However, a proper sense of respect and a genuine wish to do the job as efficiently and humanely as possible also rated highly. See the (probably ghost-written) autobiography of Albert Pierrepoint, "Executioner: Pierrepoint". Ron Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 4 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Are you asking if all former soldiers were illiterate, drunken, sadists? Sue I`ll assume your question is not serious, Sue. It did strike me that there might have been a great shock in store for some "nicely brought up" young men who, having volunteered in a rush of patriotic fervour, found themselves in a bunk alongside someone like this chap. You can see why battalions like the PS would be popular? I don`t remember coming across anyone quite like him in the army, although virtually all strata of society were conscripted. I hope he wasn`t a familiar type, but I wonder if, in those times, he might have been? As to the requirements for a hangman - a combination of characteristics which must have been very difficult to find, especially among a relatively small number applying. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sue Light Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 QUOTE (Phil_B @ Dec 4 2007, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I`ll assume your question is not serious, Sue. There's boundless confidence for you Actually it was a serious question. You asked if he was a product of his time. I would say he was a product of any time from the Roman invasion to Christmas 2007. I was just having trouble linking this solitary event in 1928 with the Great War. Sue Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 I would say he was a product of any time from the Roman invasion to Christmas 2007. Have to agree with you Sue....they still exist, and probably will always exist. I think a certain amount of compassion is needed for the job, cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 4 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2007 I was just having trouble linking this solitary event in 1928 with the Great War. Sue Possibly that both men involved were soldiers of WW1? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon6640 Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 QUOTE (Phil_B @ Dec 4 2007, 10:28 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> You can see why battalions like the PS would be popular? What's this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay dubaya Posted 4 December , 2007 Share Posted 4 December , 2007 Public Schools?...that's what I read it as anyway, cheers, Jon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 4 December , 2007 Author Share Posted 4 December , 2007 PS - Public Schools battalion where a man would be fairly insulated from having to serve with "rough, common" fellows like Green. The requirements for a hangman`s assistant`s post I haven`t seen laid down. It was apparently a one to one interview with Maj Benke or someone like him. Comments indicate that they were looking for a man of reasonably mature age, army or police service an advantage, no evidence of bloodlust or interest in the gruesome aspects, no liability to be indiscreet and a quiet private life. Police checks were run to see if he had any record of crime, drinking, womanizing or indiscretion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now