FRIENDLESS CONVICT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 31 May 1930, Page 11

FRIENDLESS CONVICT

MYSTERY MAN OF DARTMOOR THE HUMAN SIDE OF PRISON A mnn who, so far »s anyone knows, liad neither relatives nor friends, was carried to his grave at Princctown churchyard, Devonshire, recently by eight convicts from Dartmoor Prison. Albert Rawlings is believed to have been his name, but even that is not certain, for during a life of crime he used

at least, seven; different names. All that is known.;is that the man has served four terms of penal servitude, a::'J was admitted to Dartmoor l.'ris.m in June, 1927, to undergo a semo.icc cf throe years passed at Manchester Assizes for burglary Rawlings died..suddenly, and at- 11.0 inquest, held in t ho prison, (ho governor, Captain Clayton, told all ho know cif Ihmystery man. lie said he wis believed to be. 55 years years of age. mil ha 1 always suffered .'from ill-health, It appeared to be a mania of his to invent friends and ' relatives, but when the authorities fried to get in touch with (hem tltev .could not be traced. Just before, Rawlings died a letter

was sent, by,the prison authorities to a, Mr William. Rawlings at a London .ad-: dress, but' ifc was returned through the Dead potter Office.."> Rawlings never wrote a letter'andmayey received one. The prison doetorV'VDr. E. G. Batliseombe, described how a specialist was procured for Rawlings, who was suffer ing fro:-i jaundice, but could do.no good, and the jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes.

Later in the day tho funeral look place at Pririetown .churchyard, and so that Rawlings should not be buried entirely unhonourcd, Captain .Clayton gave'orders that a.-wraith made from (lowers grown in (ho prison glasshouse .should be placed upon his coffin.