Thomas started out on the path to Official Executioner after his brother, Henry, persuaded him to try for a position on the Home Office list of executioners.

Unlike the other Pierrepoints, Thomas had not cherished a lifelong ambition to be a hangman and his career in the profession was largely by default. After spending one of the compulsory two weeks training at Pentonville he was sent home by the authorities as he was considered already up to standard. This was probably because Thomas had already received training from Henry in the art of execution, in a stable at the back of Henry's cottage.

continued >>