Friday, May 20, 2022

Murder of Ellen Margaret Mary Whiting

 In October of 1935, George Arthur Bryant and Ellen Whiting would meet. Both were married at the time, George lived with his wife at Folkstone, England and Ellen lived with her husband and three children William jr. (15), Violet Ellen (13), and George (10) in Dover, England. Something would start between the two and Mr. Whiting objected to the relationship. William Whiting would leave his wife after a violent quarrel.

In December of 1935 George, Ellen, and her two youngest took rooms with Mrs. Griggs at 301 London Rd. in Dover. Around this time William confronted George about where Ellen was and George played dumb. He also went on to tell William that he'd only get her over his dead body.

Actually, William was successful in finding the address and sent the family and his wife a Christmas present. In February George stopped living with Ellen, it's not stated how their relationship was after this. After this Ellen and her husband had another violent quarrel, but by May 9th they were on friendly terms and gave his wife £1. They would meet again on May 16th and went shopping at Woolworths. They set to see each other again on May 23rd. 

On May 21st George was seen at 2:10 p.m. at the bar of the Fountain Inn on London Rd. George would drink two pints of beer and bought a bottle that he'd leave with. He seemed to be sober. He would then go to the home where he used to share with Ellen. Mrs. Griggs would see him first and ask him if he was going to be a good boy or a naughty boy (if he was there to fight). He responded and told her "I come to be good. I deserve all you say." before going upstairs to the attic room they occupied.

He would then produce the beer to Ellen and would give George a shilling and told him and Violet to go to the cinema. He explained he wanted to have a quiet talk with Ellen. The children noted that he looked angry when he came in, but was very nice to them. 

At about 3:20 p.m. Mr. Buckwell, an insurance agent, went to the home on business. he would go upstairs to the attic and knock. He would hear Ellen and George talking inside. Ellen would answer the door and they would discuss his business before he left. 

At about 4:30 p.m. George would use the beer bottle to hit Ellen on the back of the head. This would knock her out. He would then strangle her with stocking and place pillows on her head after he'd killed her. He would then try to clean the blood off of his clothes. At 5:40 p.m. George would go to the Folkstone Police Station and tell them of the murder.  He would tell them when handing over his coat "This is the coat I was wearing. I tried to wash the blood off. I was looking for someone else to do in. One of the straightest women in this world and she was married to that bastard vicious Whiting."

At 5:50 police would have to break into the crime scene as the door was locked. They would find Ellen lying on the bed with two pillows on her head. The scene was bloody, there was blood on the bed, on Ellen's clothing, and on the floor beside the bed. It appeared the body had been turned around after the crime. The stocking was tied tightly around her throat with the knot under the left ear. It was on there so tight it had to be cut off. 

George would plead guilty to the murder. He was very accepting of his punishment. On July 14, 1936, George was executed.  

SOURCES:

British Executions

KHS History Forum Boards

The Observer July 5, 1936

The Guardian July 15, 1936


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