An intriguing case of murder

[RaySearching]

Lance Corporal Clarence John Adams (alias)

27987 3^rd Garrison Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers

Florina Clare James who was married but separated from his wife and child became acquainted with a Mrs James who’s husband had recently died and went to live with her He is alleged to have been a deserter from the Middlesex Regiment,

He enlisted into the Royal Welch Fusiliers on the 5^th August 1915 at Holborn giving his age as 32 his address 15 Aske Road Hoxton using Mrs James dead husbands name “Clarence John Adams” also stating that he had previously served with the 5^th Bn Rifle Brigade (T of E) 23/05/08 adding to the deception by producing the dead mans marriage certificate and two birth certificates for his children as confirmation of his identity

On the 24^th May 1916 the 3^rd Garrison Bn Royal Welsh Fusiliers were camped at Bebington show-ground’s Birkenhead , At about 10 o clock in the evening Private Richard John Bell of the same regiment under the influence of alcohol was in the process of going to bed in the billets, Corporal Adams who was acting company serjeant at the time approached Bell and there was a confrontation, Adams then struck Bell with his fists several times

Bell saying I will not have this produced his razor and as Adams approached him Bell raised his hand and struck Adams in the neck unfortunately severing an artery Adams collapsed on the floor in a pool of blood he was taken to Birkenhead Borough hospital where he died a couple of hours later

Bell was arrested shortly afterwards

On the 12^th July 1916 at Chester Assizes the charge of murder was reduced to manslaughter Private Richard John Bell was found guilty and sentenced to 14 years penal servitude

A later appeal against the sentence at Chester Assizes was dismissed

Florina Clare James’s death is registered under his true name (Florina James Adams)

He is commemorated by the Commonweath Grave commission as Clarence John Adams he is also listed on SDGW as Clarence John Adams

Should his CWGC entry not read Florina Clare James (served as Clarence James Adams)

Or Clarence James Adams (alias) true name Florina Clare James ?

The Liverpool Daily Post May 4th 1916

Regards Ray

[johnboy]

I wonder if the lady had to repay the allowances she was presumably getting for herself and children?

[mebu]

What a coincidence.....another Welshman named Bell commits murder......

17/4/18......somewhere on the Somme......Sapper R Bell, 123 Field Company RE, 38th (Welsh) Division, kills/murders 2nd Lt Lloyd by rifle shot. Court of inquiry and funeral for Lloyd 18/4,

FGCM for Bell 19/4,

22/4 Sapper Bell shot at dawn.

Can't be that many Bell families in Wales....any relation?

Peter

[RaySearching]

Peter

Private 36856 Richard John Bell

3^rd Garrison Bn Royal Welch Fusiliers, Was from Birmingham no welsh connections

regards Ray

[mebu]

Ray, yes....not too sure of sapper R Bell welsh connections either. (I think many 123 Coy/38th Welsh Div from Brum)....but certainly coincidental.

Peter