Stanley Cross (executioner)
Encyclopedia
Stanley William Cross was an English executioner
from Wormwood Scrubs
. His career lasted from 1932 to 1941, during which he carried out 4 hanging
s as a chief executioner and assisted at 20 others.
Cross, an ex-serviceman, received training at Pentonville Prison
in 1932. He assisted in his first hanging on 8 June 1933. Over the next few years, he usually worked as an assistant to Thomas Pierrepoint
. He was finally promoted in 1940 and carried out his first job as chief executioner on 31 July 1940. He also executed two German spies
, Jose Waldeburg and Carl Meier, in December. However, Cross apparently miscalculated his prisoners' drop lengths. He last appeared at an execution on 19 September 1941.
Executioner
A judicial executioner is a person who carries out a death sentence ordered by the state or other legal authority, which was known in feudal terminology as high justice.-Scope and job:...
from Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs
Wormwood Scrubs, known locally as The Scrubs, is an open space located in the north-eastern corner of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham in west London. It is the largest open space in the Borough, at 80 ha , and one of the largest areas of common land in London...
. His career lasted from 1932 to 1941, during which he carried out 4 hanging
Hanging
Hanging is the lethal suspension of a person by a ligature. The Oxford English Dictionary states that hanging in this sense is "specifically to put to death by suspension by the neck", though it formerly also referred to crucifixion and death by impalement in which the body would remain...
s as a chief executioner and assisted at 20 others.
Cross, an ex-serviceman, received training at Pentonville Prison
Pentonville (HM Prison)
HM Prison Pentonville is a Category B/C men's prison, operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service. Pentonville Prison is not actually within Pentonville itself, but is located further north, on the Caledonian Road in the Barnsbury area of the London Borough of Islington, in inner-North London,...
in 1932. He assisted in his first hanging on 8 June 1933. Over the next few years, he usually worked as an assistant to Thomas Pierrepoint
Thomas Pierrepoint
Thomas William Pierrepoint was one of the United Kingdom's executioners from 1906 until 1946. He was the brother of Henry and uncle of Albert....
. He was finally promoted in 1940 and carried out his first job as chief executioner on 31 July 1940. He also executed two German spies
Espionage
Espionage or spying involves an individual obtaining information that is considered secret or confidential without the permission of the holder of the information. Espionage is inherently clandestine, lest the legitimate holder of the information change plans or take other countermeasures once it...
, Jose Waldeburg and Carl Meier, in December. However, Cross apparently miscalculated his prisoners' drop lengths. He last appeared at an execution on 19 September 1941.