Category Archives: Home Office & Prison Commission Files
Wallace’s Request for the Return of Books (Includes List of Books)
A prison commission folder containing communication regarding the return of books which William Herbert Wallace had requested be given to him during his stay in prison. It appears his interests did not change while facing down the death penalty.
Refusal to Grant Compensation Following Successful Appeal
Here is a small set of communication in a rather barren tagged folder where “Leslie Bowker” writes as to why William Herbert Wallace should receive no compensation.
Refutation of Rumours Wallace Had Been Hunger Striking
In these exchanges, the writers of these letters and telegrams dispute the claim (which was in newspapers at the time) that Wallace had been on hunger strike.
Full Appeal Trial of William Herbert Wallace
Here is the full text of the appeal trial of William Herbert Wallace. His appeal was successful and his conviction overturned, with the judges unanimously deciding that the evidence did not provide the certainty necessary to justify a verdict of guilty.
Full Text of the Trial of William Herbert Wallace (Unabridged)
Here is the trial in full, unabridged, with annotations exactly as I found them. This is more complete than Wyndham-Brown’s transcription, which is edited and leaves out various statements.
Robert Carr – Statement
A man named Robert Carr very persistently pressed for his testimony to be taken into account. He claims to have seen William Herbert Wallace with his sister-in-law Amy Wallace at Scotland Road at 8 PM on the night of the murder.
Correspondence Regarding an Anonymous Confession
The authors of these letters discuss the receipt of an anonymous postcard with a confession. The actual postcard was not inside the case file, so I was unable to photograph that.
Justice of the Peace and Local Government Review: Entry Following Wallace’s Successful Appeal
Here, in the Justice of the Peace and Local Government Review, issued June 13, 1931, there is a lengthy discussion about the Wallace case and appeal.
Prosecution Case Points
This appears to be a list of points for the prosecution, which they will attempt to use to convict William Herbert Wallace.
Report of William Herbert Wallace’s Mental State
A report on the mental state of William Herbert Wallace during his stay in prison. He is deemed fit to stand trial.
Royal Southern Hospital Report of William Herbert Wallace’s Health
A report of William Herbert Wallace’s stay at the Royal Southern Hospital. Admitted: 9th June 1930, Discharged: 10th July 1930. Renal deficiency suspected.
William Herbert Wallace’s Application for Appeal
This is the application William sent requesting an appeal for his conviction. It includes his list of reasons as to why he deserves another trial.
William Herbert Wallace: Character Report
A report containing details of Wallace’s character, including statements from a number of individuals who knew him personally.
John Bull Articles (Articles by Wallace About the Murder, Trial, and Release)
These articles which appeared in John Bull were ghostwritten for Wallace. It details his experiences with the murder, trial, and his theories on what happened to Julia.
Notes Before Wallace’s Appeal
This is what appears to be notes on William Herbert Wallace and the trial, written for the appeal perhaps? A note at the end states that after this was written, the conviction was quashed. Inscriptions may be by his defendent, Roland Oliver.
Short Notes of the Trial of William Herbert Wallace
Notes on the trial of William Herbert Wallace, written by the judge. For the unabridged transcript of the trial, please see: