John Ellis (1874–1932) by unknown photographer PA Photos
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Brian Bailey
Ellis, John (1874–1932), executioner, was born on 4 October 1874 at Buersil, Rochdale, the eldest child of Joseph James Ellis, a hairdresser, and his wife, Sarah Ann, née Dawson. He left school to work for the local Eagle Spinning Company. When he was twenty, he married ...
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Jones, Thomas [Tom] (1908–1990), trade unionist and Spanish republican volunteer, was born on 13 October 1908 in Ashton in Makerfield, Lancashire, the second of three children of William Jones, coalminer, and his wife, Mary Jones, a kitchen maid. His father had earlier left ...
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Marwood, William (bap. 1818, d. 1883), public executioner, was baptized at Goulceby, Horncastle, Lincolnshire, on 8 November 1818, the son of William Marwood, cordwainer, and his wife, Elizabeth, and followed his father into the shoemaking trade. He was married, first, to Jessie (1805/6–1867)...
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Pearce, William Harvey (1920–1982), probation officer and prison inspector, was born on 8 April 1920 at 26 Lina Street, Walton, Liverpool, the son of William Charles Pearce, a dock labourer, and his wife, Agnes Jane Saunderson. His career in the Probation Service was extremely distinguished but almost did not begin. His early working life was in the merchant navy, and while serving on ...
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John A. Vickers
Told, Silas (1711–1778), schoolmaster and prison visitor, was born at the Lime Kilns in Bristol on 3 April 1711 of 'very creditable' parentage. His father, a physician like his paternal grandfather, lost money invested in the building of a wet dock and died at sea. His mother was the daughter of ...
