A naval destroyer picked up Parkhurst prisoner Arthur James Anderson, who had managed to survive the icy waters of the Solent for 17 hours, on this day back in 1947 – some 76 years ago.
Anderson had managed to survive the ice-cold water by clinging on to a buoy. He had escaped from a Parkhurst working party 10 days earlier. However, his experience had left him with frostbitten feet.
While on the run, Anderson – who had tattooed hands – broke into 3 houses in Newport Road, Cowes where he stole food. He also broke into the home of a Newport councillor, from which he stole a pinstriped suit.
Anderson managed to appropriate a .45 Webley revolver and 14s 61/2d (73p) in cash. He attempted to cross the Solent in a rowing boat he had stolen from Gurnard, which sank before he could reach the mainland shore.
The escaped convict came within 3 days of equalling the record for the prison’s longest break. Following his capture, he subsequently appeared in court at Winchester with his feet heavily bandaged. He was carried to his court appearance by a police officer.
At his trial, Anderson said in his defence:
“With regard to the property I stole, I only took cash and 1 or 2 articles of jewellery, with a view to their practical use.
“I was forced by exigencies of circumstance. I should like to render my sincere apologies to the people concerned.
Article continues below this advertisement “Originally, it was my intention to swim instead of stealing a boat, thus obviating the annoyance that I caused.”
How lovely back then, even the Criminals were polite, apologetic and truly British. What a difference a few decades have made. Our MP’s should hang their heads in shame, but as they live on the fat of the land, never ever will.
IV you are so right, yet all the Police and Politicians do is tell us our fear, and perception of crime is the problem.
As the former swan around in cars insulated from the fear and danger the public now suffer, and the latter ensure they live miles away from the horrors they allow to drift in to ruin our lives making a walk in the dark, or traveling on public transport, or leaving a bar a frightening time for the masses especially the females, but not for them, or their loved ones, drinking in private clubs, traveling by private cars or cabs, and living in leafy lanes in quiet hamlets.
Love to know what happened to him after ge served his sentence
‘forced by exigencies of circumstance’ ‘render my sincere apologies’ ‘obviating the annoyance that I caused’
76 years ago, and even the criminal classes were able to speak properly.
And, heaven forbid, he ‘had tattooed hands’. These days, we’d probably be pointing out someone who DIDN’T have tattoos.
I think you’ll find that those were the words of his barrister speaking on his behalf!
No no no, look at the use of third person? Wait there is none, idk how they did things in the 40s but if a barrister said those things he would surely have to say, “mr Anderson is most apologetic etc etc” also hes clearly no stranger to rogue attributes, I found it most interesting when he stole the pinstripe suit from the councillors home. He must have known surely, that seems as if its personal.
I like the last part, you are so right, that is an illustration of how it’s not people who change it’s the way society looks at people that’s changed, thus causing a butterfly like effect. I mean we are a product of our environment. It’s most interesting that he had such language and privy to criminal ways suggests he was from an aristocratic family or was that just how everybody spoke. But then you look at led and its proven damage to brain cells rendering the brain a walking talking vegetable, it’s no wonder we all stupid lol