In the early morning hours of August 15, 1941, Josef Jakobs was escorted to the Tower of London for his execution. The firing squad that carried out the execution was drawn from members of the Scots Guards Holding Battalion. The commander of the firing squad was Major P.D.J. Waters. Philip Duncan Joseph Waters Philip Duncan […]
Major P.D.J. Waters – Commander of the Firing Squad that Executed Josef Jakobs Read More »
On the afternoon of February 2, having spent the night in Brixton Prixon Infirmary, Josef Jakobs was brought to Latchmere House (Camp 020) for a preliminary interrogation. Dr. Harold Dearden, the camp doctor and psychiatrist took note of Jakobs’ physical attributes (height, weight, etc.) and formed part of the panel that questioned Jakobs. The interrogation
Dr. Harold Dearden – Psychiatrist at Camp 020 Read More »
AcknowledgementMany thanks to Martyn Smith, grandson of Horace Jaikens, for kindly sharing information and photographs about his grandfather. On 1 February, 1941, Josef Jakobs, erstwhile German spy, was found by a couple of farm workers in a potato field southwest of the town of Ramsey, Huntingdonshire. The farmers found Harry Godfrey, a member of the
Inspector Horace Jaikens – Huntingdonshire Constabulary Read More »
Josef Jakobs was a Roman Catholic. During his incarceration at Camp 020, it is unlikely that he received spiritual care. However, once he was transferred to Wandsworth Prison, some options opened up for him. Several articles and books state that Josef was offered the services of a German priest, Fr. Josef Simmel of St. Boniface
Spiritual Care & Last Rites for Josef Jakobs Read More »
N.B. 2021 I have a number of other blogs about Clara Bauerle with more up-to-date information. This page gives a summary of them. Who was Clara Bauerle? What really happened to her? To begin with, we have to recognize that Clara Bauerle’s name could be spelled in a variety of ways: Claire/Cläre/Clära/ClaraKläre/Klära/KlaraBauerle/Bäuerle If one searches
The Truth about German Cabaret singer Clara Bauerle Read More »
N.B. 2020 10 15 – I should note that the picture of the wych elm featured below is NOT the actual wych elm. And, the “police sketch” was first published in Donald McCormick’s book, Murder by Witchcraft. That sketch does NOT occur in the police files. Who put Bella in the Wych Elm? On 18
Who put Bella in the Wych Elm? Read More »
When Josef Jakobs landed at Dovehouse Farm near Ramsey on the night of 31 January, 1941, he had a picture postcard in his possession. The photograph was of a woman with an inscription on the back which read: My dear _ _I love youFor everYourClaraLandau, July 1940 At first, there was some confusion as to
German Cabaret singer Clara Bauerle & German spy Josef Jakobs Read More »
Benjamin Dixon Grew was born on 25 June, 1892, in Shoreditch, London. His parents were card maker Benjamin Grew and Minnie Jane Moore who were married in 1886. Benjamin had several older and younger siblings but, in 1904, the large brood of children lost their mother when Minnie Jane passed away. Military Service Benjamin joined
Governor of Wandsworth Prison – Major Benjamin Dixon Grew Read More »
Introduction On February 1, 1941, Josef Jakobs was discovered in a field at Dovehouse Farm near Ramsey, Huntingdonshire. Josef had suffered a broken ankle during his descent by parachute from a German aircraft. Unable to move, he summoned help by firing his pistol into the air. Two farmers found Josef that morning and notified the
Willem Hertzog – Doctor to German Spy Josef Jakobs Read More »
Tourists in London flock to Buckingham Palace and the Wellington Barracks to see Changing the Guard. It is a spectacular event in which the company on duty assembles on the parade ground of Wellington Barracks and then makes its way to Buckingham Palace. The soldiers that guard the Queen’s residences are collectively known as the
Scots Guards and the Execution of Josef Jakobs Read More »