Fiancee Killed By Army Veteran

In 1928 Albert Absolom killed his fiancee Mary after he became jealous of her friendship with other men, leading to him being hanged for the murder.

Absolom was discharged from the army in 1923 and took lodgings in Scotland Road, working as a labourer. He met Mary Reed, who lived with her parents in Garibaldi Street and they began saving for a future together.

Absolom though was in and out of work and a marriage never seemed to be close, leading to him getting jealous of Mary's friendships with other men. It was one of these that would lead to the tragic events of 11th May 1928.A week earlier, Mary had gone out for the evening with her neighbour whilst Absolom worked in a fish and chip shop and he refused to believe that any wrong doing hadn't occurred.

At around 6pm on 11th May Absolom and Mary were seen arguing in Sackville Street (situated adjacent to Roscommon Street) outside St Peter's Church. When Mary tried to leave Absolom prevented her then pulled out a knife and plunged it into her throat. Mary collapsed at his feet and Absolom threw the knife away before running off, but some other males managed to catch him and turn him into a Rose Hill police station, where he admitted his act.

Mary died on the morning of 17th May and thousands of women lined the streets for her funeral and followed the hearse all the way to Walton Cemetery. Absolom was tried for her murder in July where his defence was that Mary's death wasn't a direct result of the stabbing but due to other occurrences in hospital. This was rejected and he was found guilty, although the jury did recommend mercy on the grounds of his previous good character.

The Home Secretary refused to grant a reprieve, informing Absolom of this just two days before he was hanged by Thomas Pierrepoint on 25th July. A crowd of around 200 women waited outside Walton Gaol for the execution notice to be pinned on the wall.