ARmy Rumour SErvice

I apologise if this is the wrong thread to post on, but whilst reading a history magazine, I came across the following story:

THE CABBAGE PATCH MURDER

During the morning of 14 February 1944, Arthur Belcher, a Special Constable with the Southern Railway, went down to his allotment near Sherard Road, Eltham (South London). His attention was drawn to a blue-grey coat in amongst an adjacent plot of cabbages. As he moved closer, it soon became apparent that this was the body of a young woman. Scotland Yard were contacted and they established that the victim was LACW Iris Deeley. from No 1 Balloon Centre at RAF Kidbrooke. The only clue to her murderer was a large size right handed woolen Army Glove, and the tell tale signs of a Size 11 Boot.

An Investigation immediately began to interview soldiers billetted in the area and establish which members of the Army had been granted a late night pass in Southern England for the evening of 13/14 February, a pretty daunting task, given that preparations were in hand for the forthcoming D Day landings later that year.

Witnesses eventually came forward stating that they had accompanied the young WAAF part of the way on her journey, and had been joined by a young blond haired Sergeant, a tough looking individual with a moustache, who was WEARING A REMARKABLE VARIETY OF REGIMENTAL FLASHES, GLIDER PILOTS WINGS, MEDAL RIBBONS AND SERGEANT'S STRIPES, and was a bit of a braggart.

Not much to go on you may think, but the description was passed to all London Police Stations, and on 22 February, a little after a week since the murder, Police Constable Charles Memory, a former soldier, on duty at St Pancras Station, noted a soldier cuddling a member of the WAAF before she departed on her train. On inspecting the Sergeants uniform, he noticed that he was wearing a Military Cross ribbon (then only awarded to officers), but also ribbons from the North West Frontier, Afghanistan and Palestine campaigns, all of which had taken place long before the soldier could have been born ! The Soldier was also wearing a British Battledress Tunic with American Army Trousers and was carrying a US Army Officers valise.

He was arrested and interviewed at Albany Road Police Station where his identity was confirmed as 20 year old GUNNER ERNEST JAMES KEMP, ROYAL ARTILLERY, an absentee from military custody.

In his statement KEMP sttated that he had gone to Millets Army and Navy Stores where he had bought a set of Sergeants Stripes, Commando Flashes, Combined Operations Divisional Patches and Army Physical Training Corps flashes. He admitted to taking a liking to a pair of Glider Pilots Wings and some brass crossed swords (APTC Cap Badge). He tried to finish off his outfit with a Commando Beret but couldn't get hold of one. Nevertheless, a tailor obliged him by sewing on hiis accoutrements.

KEMP was found guilty of murder and sentenced to hang. He was executed at Wandsworth Prison on 06 June 1944 (D-Day) and buried in Plot 58 within the prison grounds. HOWEVER............

He is also commemorated on the Memorial to the Missing at Brookwood Cemetry.

Originally Posted by Nato Standard123

...is it 'hung' or 'hanged'?.....not that I give that much of a feck, just curious like.

You're quite right, it's hanged. I'm hung.