Thomas Henry Allaway

Background

On 22 December 1921, an advertisement appeared in the “Morning Post” from Miss Irene Wilkins looking for a position as a school cook. On that same day, she received a telegram requesting that she come to Bournemouth at once, where she would be met. She immediately caught the afternoon train to Bournemouth.

Thomas Henry Allaway was a 36 year old chauffeur and ex soldier. He drove a Mercedes fitted with three Dunlop Magnums and a Michelin.

The case included telegrams: at least three others were received the same day in addition to the one received by Irene Wilkins. This later became an important fact in the case.

The offence

Irene Wilkins’ body was discovered in a field on the outskirts of Bournemouth on 23 December 1921.

On a road nearby the body were tyre-tracks. The tyre-tracks were traced to Dunlop Magnums.

Thomas Henry Allaway was convicted of murdering Irene Wilkins. He killed her by striking her on the head several times with a blunt instrument.

The case appeared to be missing a motive. Robbery was ruled out. Irene Wilkins’ clothes had been disturbed, but she clearly had not been raped. Despite this, it was still assumed that sex was the motivation.

Investigation

Tyre-tracks were traced to Dunlop Magnums, and all drivers and chauffeurs in the district were questioned.

Thomas Allaway was one of those questioned. Samples of his handwriting fixed Alloway as the originator of the telegrams.

He was identified by a Post Office employee as the writer of the telegrams.

Betting slips with writing that matched the writing on the telegrams were found in his pockets after his arrest.

Arrest

Four months later, Thomas Allaway attempted to pass forged cheques. He disappeared from Bournemouth and was picked up by the police in Reading.

He was arrested, and some betting slips with writing that matched the writing on the telegrams were found in his pockets.

Trial

Thomas Henry Allaway was tried at Winchester in July 1922 and was soon found guilty of murder.

Sentencing

Outcome

Thomas Henry Allaway was hanged at Winchester Prison on 19 August 1922.

The night before his execution, he confessed his crime to the Prison Governor.

Aftermath

The case was described as having appeared to be missing a motive, with robbery ruled out and a disputed assumption regarding sex despite the statement that the victim had clearly not been raped.

The role of telegrams was noted as an important fact because at least three others were received the same day.