Genealogy Chat

Are there any records for Broadmoor inmates? I am looking into a possible murderer (surname Rose)in the family about 1919. He came home from the 1st world war and was convinced that his wife had been unfaithful and his children were not his. He killed her and the children and tried to hang himself in cannon Hill Park, Birmingham. Sent to Broadmoor. Well that's how the story goes, but you know what these stories are like! I have searched the Times Archives, but only found one murderer with the surname Rose (killed his girlfriend and baby) and it was in 1919, but was in the Oxford area. Trying to find a link, but really don'ty think this is 'mine'. Absolutley no connection with Oxford at all. And he was hung Mandy XX

What a terrible think to happen. It's strange....have you posted about this before on this site.....I knew your post was going to say Cannon Hill, Birm before I got to that bit, yet I know nothing about the area myself??????????? Suppose you could look at the GRO indexes for any clues - not sure how prevelent the name Rose was in Birm, but if you know how many children were involved and which reg district...... If you use Family Relatives to do the lookup then it can out-sort all the deaths in a particular district or districts (any time for the period you mentioned up to 1920), which would make it much easier to spot if several children and their mother shared the same reg details (though the page number might vary by one digit, even if they were all registered together.) I think you may find that this type of ''story'' did not hit the newspapers (nationals) in the way it might today, because of the effect on morale of other returning soldiers, which might explain why there is nothing in The Times. A local newspaper would probably have reported on this though. A date from the death indexes, or one of the certificates, would make it easier to find. Still wondering where I have heard this exact story before....??? Merry

Mandy Broadmoor archives sent me info about my relative, though he was earlier than yours (in Broadmoor 1863-1908 when he died). They didn't have much though, just the date he arrived and a photocopy of his post-mortem result. The addy is Medical Records Office Broadmoor Hospital Crowthorne, Berks RG45 7EG. Tel: 01344 773111 They did ask me for proof of identification to show my relationship with the chap - difficult as he was born before certification, but I sent his sister's birth cert plus her son and grandson (my grandfather) etc. nell

Hi Mandy! I had an ancestor who was sent to Broadmoor in 1887 for throwing her baby out of the window and crushing his scull (shocking - think she mustve been suffering PN Depression) I found the story in the local paper archives online. (The West Briton) covering Devon and Cornwall. Found her in Broadmoor on 1891 census but couldnt find her anywhere on 1901 census Discovered that all the inmates and staff on 1901 census were entered under their initials!! I know that 1901 is too early to assist you in your query but have posted this on your thread in case the info. helps anyone else! Happy Searching! Kim

thank you so much. Yes, Merry, you have heard this before. I posted these details a while ago, but I'm still looking!!! Mandy XXX

This must be the rose you are talking about from 1919 Joseph Rose Age:- 25 Date of Execution:- Wednesday, 19th February, 1919 Location of Execution:- Oxford Hangman:- John Ellis Assistants:- Edward Taylor Tried At:- Reading Trial Dates:- 16th January, 1919 Trial Judge:- Mister Justice Rowlatt Crime:- Murder Victims:- Name:- Sarah Rose Isabella Rose Age:- 19 5 months Location of Murder:- Love Lane, Shaw-cum-Donnington, near Newbury Date of Murder:- Monday, 28th October, 1918 Method of Murder:- Cut Throat Cut Throat Relationship to Killer:- Cousin/Girlfriend Daughter Address is a bit of a shame!!

Love Lane doesn't sound the right setting for a murder, does it?

The Times online archive has The Times, Tuesday, Feb 04, 1919; pg. 2; 'A MURDERER'S APPEAL Rex v Joseph Rose The Court dismissed these applications for leave to appeal against conviction and for leave to call further evidence. Mr coventry said that the applicant had been convicted before Mr Justice Rowlatt at the Berkshire Assizes of the murder of a woman 19 years of age. He lived with the woman, and on the date of the crime he was in Love Lane near Newbury with her and a baby in a perambulator. Shortly before the estimated time of the crime the applicant and the woman were apparently on friendly terms. The crime was disclosed by the applicant himself. He went to some persons with his throat cut and he conducted them to the place where the woman and the baby were lying dead with their throats cut. The applicant said that he and the others were attacked by a man named Harry, and in support of his story it was pointed out that no knife was found near the scene of the crime. The indictment for the murder of the baby had not been disposed of. The applicant complained of the judge's comment on his failure to give evidence and he now wished to give evidence himself. The Court dismissed both applications, pointing out that only in highly exceptional cases would an appellant who had not given evidence on his trial be allowed to give evidence in that court'. nell

Other info from Times online The Times, Friday, Jan 17, 1919 'Joseph Rose, a travelling hawker, was sentenced to death at Berks assizes yesterday for the murder of Sarah Rose his cousin, with whom he lived, and her young child, by cutting their throats in a lonely road near Newbury. The man then turned the weapon on himself and was also charged with attempted suicide'. nell

gosh, do you think this could be him? That's fascinating! How did you find this so quickly? Will investigate further. Thank you so much MandyXXXX

If you notice it says they are cousins and her name is Rose so that would mean Joseph's dad's brother would be her father if that helps Zoe

thanks Zoe. xx