THE execution of a Boer War veteran for a most harrowing child murder was reported by Berrow's Journal this week exactly a century ago.
The edition of 1902 told readers: "Henry Williams, (29), a boot-maker, was executed at Pentonville Prison for the murder at Fulham of his five-years-old illegitimate child, Margaret Annie.
The prisoner had served in the South African War against the Boers but, returning home, became jealous of his child's mother, with whom he had lived.
"He said he would break the woman's heart and, taking the child from her arms, cut its throat. Williams, who was passionately fond of the child, placed her doll by her side. Williams, who was quite resigned to his fate, walked unassisted to the scaffold."
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