In the early part of
the last century it was not uncommon for a trade
to be passed on from father to son and then on through
subsequent generations. One such family from Clayton
in West Yorkshire took this well-trodden road of
apprenticeship. This was no ordinary family, however,
and no ordinary trade.
The Pierrepoint
family, Henry,
Thomas
and Albert,
were all hangmen. For the first half of the twentieth
century the Pierrepoints took part in the execution
of around 800 prisoners on behalf of Great Britain
and Ireland. In 1901 Henry became the first in
the family to embark upon this unusual career
path. His brother, Tom, followed in his footsteps
as did Albert, Henry's son, whose retirement in
1956 drew this bizarre family business to a close.
This strange and unique family
has intrigued and fascinated many people. But
their role reflected the times, values and society's
notion of justice.
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