Julia Wallace Murder Case

[Mark R]

Belmont Road/Rocky Lane. Wallace claimed he took the number 26 tram from this corner. A number 26 bus stands at the corner.

[DaisyChains]

brilliant pics Mark. Such familiar places, but filled with historical sentiment.

Brilliant info about the film too.

I really admire your interest in this case...

[Mark R]

Thanks DaisyChains.

I hope to go down to the National Archives (at Kew in Surrey) in the next few months.
Yes, whenever I travel around I always think of the historical significance of the places associated with the case. I bet there are people who know of the case that don't even realise that they could be walking in the footsteps of Wallace. Lister Drive school (in Tuebrook) was where I went to school. When Roger Wilkes wrote his excellent Wallace: The Final Verdict book I was astounded to learn that Richard Gordon Parry, Lily Lloyd and John Parkes all went there as well. It seems so personal to me. My mother was born a stone's throw away from Box 1627 (three years after the murder) and she was christened in Holy Trinity Church.

Regards

Mark

[AntiPathos]

Thanks DaisyChains.

I hope to go down to the National Archives (at Kew in Surrey) in the next few months....

Be warned. It'll take you days to go through all the files and even longer to copy them. I've seen them; they're in big boxes and there's a ton to wade through. Perhaps James Murphy might be able to help you out with a copy of whatever is held at Kew as I presume he had access once upon a long ago...saves you a journey too. Not to mention Hotel fees.

[DaisyChains]

Be warned. It'll take you days to go through all the files and even longer to copy them. I've seen them; they're in big boxes and there's a ton to wade through. Perhaps James Murphy might be able to help you out with a copy of whatever is held at Kew as I presume he had access once upon a long ago...saves you a journey too. Not to mention Hotel fees.

I understand what you mean AP, but I personally would like to go to Kew to research.
I just think you would have a great sense of achievement and a fantastic feeling holding certain documents in your hands.

[AntiPathos]

I understand what you mean AP, but I personally would like to go to Kew to research.
I just think you would have a great sense of achievement and a fantastic feeling holding certain documents in your hands.

Exactly. Not trying to put you off at all. Go for it mate, just allow yourself a couple of days minimum. I think there are three big files down there. You can check for yourself online and pre-reserve them afore ye visit.

[Mark R]

Thanks for that but I'd rather get them first hand.
I agree totally with you DC. I actually have copies of one of the boxes so I won't have to copy that one. I have a digital camera and if I have to, I'll make several visits!

[DaisyChains]

Thanks for that but I'd rather get them first hand.
I agree totally with you DC. I actually have copies of one of the boxes so I won't have to copy that one. I have a digital camera and if I have to, I'll make several visits!

It might sound weird, but I think to write a book on a murder case of such high standing as Wallace, you have to sort of make your own journey to get to a conclusion.

I just bought that Wallace book you recommended Mark a few posts back. Ta for the tip.

Have you contacted the people who live in the Wallace house?
Have you been inside?

[Mark R]

Couldn't agree more DaisyChains.
What book did you get?
Yes, I wrote two different letters to 29 Wolverton Street (some months ago); one came back as 'not at this address' and the other was unanswered. Guess the owners want their privacy.

[DaisyChains]

Couldn't agree more DaisyChains.
What book did you get?
Yes, I wrote two different letters to 29 Wolverton Street (some months ago)
one came back as 'not at this address' and the other I didn't receive a reply. Guess the owners want their privacy.

Wallace: The Final Verdict I bought off Amazon..... looking forward to it.
I had a little look at the house a few weeks ago on a rainy saturday afternoon. Just drove down the street and hovered and back again. I was looking at the kids playing in the street and just thinking they probably had no idea what history that street holds.
It's a shame the residents won't respond. If it was me living there, I would be made up for people to take an interest in where I lived.
Must be spooky living there when you know all the details though!

type in 29 wolverton street into google.co.uk and have a look at the 5th result!

[Mark R]

Glad you got a copy of Wilkes' Final Verdict. I think it is an excellent book. Some of the illustrations are fantastic. I wrote to Roger a few months ago and he wrote an interesting (and kind) reply.
Yes, it was Kevin Firth I wrote to (which came back as 'not at this address'). I think the second letter I wrote was to the current occupant Julie... something or other (not Julia!). Yes, I have to admit, I would live there (would be quite weird though).
Wolverton Street had had a tragic history even before the Wallace murder. By 1930 there had been 5 deaths concerning its residents: 3 suicides, plus one resident had died at a football match and one fell to his death from the Great Orme in Llandudno. I know my mother always told me that my grandmother said that Wolverton Street was always an eerie street, and that you would never see a front door open. Suppose this could have been down to the Anfield Housebreaker though...

[DaisyChains]

Glad you got a copy of Wilkes' Final Verdict. I think it is an excellent book. Some of the illustrations are fantastic. I wrote to Roger a few months ago and he wrote an interesting (and kind) reply.
Yes, it was Kevin Firth I wrote to (which came back as 'not at this address'). I think the second letter I wrote was to the current occupant Julie... something or other (not Julia!). Yes, I have to admit, I would live there (would be quite weird though).
Wolverton Street had had a tragic history even before the Wallace murder. By 1930 there had been 5 deaths concerning its residents: 3 suicides, plus one resident had died at a football match and one fell to his death from the Great Orme in Llandudno. I know my mother always told me that my grandmother said that Wolverton Street was always an eerie street, and that you would never see a front door open. Suppose this could have been down to the Anfield Housebreaker though...

ooohhh i didn't know the history of the house. That's very spooky!
This is why your book will be grand! hehe Plus you have relatives who have lived around that area and you have yourself, always the best position to be in i think

[lindylou]

It's true that Wolverton st was always very quiet and some might say it was an eerie street. I'd heard about those other deaths and we used to say that maybe it was an unlucky road.

I enjoyed my childhood there though, and I wish I still lived in that street today as it is clean with well kept houses and still quiet. It is one of the nicer streets in Anfield. The surrounding area is deteriorating rapidly, but Wolverton street has remained as nice as it always was - away from the noisy main roads and shops - and as it is tucked away only people who live there go in and out.

I wouldn't live in no 29 though - no way !!
The houses on that side were a tad smaller the ones on our side. Our side had bigger back yards and bigger kitchens.

we looked over to the Wallace house. I lived there for 14 years.



Mark, do any of your family remember the big house at the far end ? The Campbells lived there since at least the 1920's until late 60s/early70's and they held dance classes there, also ballroom dancing evenings - my grandmother used to tell me about it.

The dances had stopped by the time I was growing up there but the family remained living there. I think it must have been early 1970's when the place was demolished. (there are new house there now on the site - Richmond Park - was the front of the house with the drive way, and the ones at the back - Redcar Mews - are where the back gardens of the house used to be.)
What a shame it was pulled down. It was a fine big house like the villas in Breckside park. I wish we had taken some photos of it - - but you didn't bother in those days.
In fact, I wish we'd taken more photos of the whole street. I only have two photos of the street with my mum and cousin on them ( so I won't post them)

I have searched high and low on the net for any old pics or info on the place but I've never found anything.
Mark, ask any older members of your family if they remember it.
I'd love to see a picture of it.

I wonder if Mr & Mrs Wallace ever went there for ballroom dancing

When we were kids we made a den in the bushes at the side of the house .. Mr & Mrs Campbell would chase any kids who wandered up their driveway .. but we used to sneak over the wall which divided it from our street. We would take butties and a bottle of lemmo and hide in our den undetected
I have very fond memories of Wolverton st.

ps,

the bit about the doors never being open - is probably true.
The street was what you might call rather staid, even in later years when we lived there. Neighbours didn't leave their doors open and you seldom seen them chatting on the steps. it was more likely to be a passing ''good morning'' and that was that
We kids did play out in the street but the neighbours didn't mix a lot.

[DaisyChains]

It's true that Wolverton st was always very quiet and some might say it was an eerie street. I'd heard about those other deaths and we used to say that maybe it was an unlucky road.

I enjoyed my childhood there though, and I wish I still lived in that street today as it is clean with well kept houses and still quiet. It is one of the nicer streets in Anfield. The surrounding area is deteriorating rapidly, but Wolverton street has remained as nice as it always was - away from the noisy main roads and shops - and as it is tucked away only people who live there go in and out.

I wouldn't live in no 29 though - no way !!
The houses on that side were a tad smaller the ones on our side. Our side had bigger back yards and bigger kitchens.

we looked over to the Wallace house. I lived there for 14 years.



Mark, do any of your family remember the big house at the far end ? The Campbells lived there since at least the 1920's until late 60s/early70's and they held dance classes there, also ballroom dancing evenings - my grandmother used to tell me about it.

The dances had stopped by the time I was growing up there but the family remained living there. I think it must have been early 1970's when the place was demolished. (there are new house there now on the site - Redcar Mews.)
What a shame it was pulled down. It was a fine big house like the villas in Breckside park. I wish we had taken some photos of it - - but you didn't bother in those days.
In fact, I wish we'd taken more photos of the whole street. I only have two photos of the street with my mum and cousin on them ( so I won't post them)

I have searched high and low on the net for any old pics or info on the place but I've never found anything.
Mark, ask any older members of your family if they remember it.
I'd love to see a picture of it.

I wonder if Mr & Mrs Wallace ever went there for ballroom dancing

When we were kids we made a den in the bushes at the side of the house .. Mr & Mrs Campbell would chase any kids who wandered up their driveway .. but we used to sneak over the wall which divided it from our street. We would take butties and a bottle of lemmo and hide in our den undetected
I have very fond memories of Wolverton st.

ps,

the bit about the doors never being open - is probably true.
The street was what you might call rather staid, even in later years when we lived there. Neighbours didn't leave their doors open and you seldom seen them chatting on the steps. it was more like a passing ''good morning'' and that was that
We kids did play out in the street but the neighbours didn't mix a lot.

Fascinating stuff Lindy!

[Mark R]

Hi lindylou

Excellent memories of your growing up in the street. I don't remember Campbell's but I think you're right regarding it being demolished in the 1970's. I have heard of it during the case (Campbell's Dance Hall) and I think I have a photo somewhere (looking up Wolverton Street from the other end and a good distance from the house itself though). There is what looks like a large house at the cul-de-sac end. I am assuming it is that...
Yes, it is a nice street irrespective of its history. Yes, you can almost hear yourself think there.

I traced where the Telephone Exchange (from where the phone-call from Box 1627 was recorded). It was on Richmond Street (off Breck Road) but sadly the building has been demolished.