Stephen's Study Room: British Military & Criminal History in the period 1900 to 1999.
HOME WWII SPIES JOHN AMERY WILLIAM JOYCE THOMAS COOPER WALTER PURDY WODEHOUSE STEWART MI5 & BFC ILA & BOSE	Home - Spying - World War Two - Treason
Introduction This section deals with people who were convicted of High Treason for their involvement in World War Two. In total four people were tried and convicted under the High Treason Act 1351 (as amended in 1945). This is contrary to several modern books which get confused between High Treason offences and the Treachery Act 1940. For example, one publication states that Schurch was tried for treason. He was, as stated in his papers at the PRO, courts-martialed for offences under the Treachery Act 1940. I have also included some information on other people who made radio broadcasts from Germany, and as a consequence were investigated after the war. Time for Reckoning As the Second World War drew to a close, MI5, the British Security body responsible for domestic espionage activities, produced a report. This document contains their thoughts concerning the level of involvement of various British renegades in potentially treasonable acts. This report also mentions the use of Indian POWs in German units. The four people convicted under the High Treason, for their activities during World War Two, were William Joyce John Amery Walter Purdy Thomas Cooper All four people were sentenced to death by hanging for their treason. Purdy and Cooper had their sentences commuted, and were eventually released. William Joyce and John Amery were both executed at Wandsworth Prison in London.
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Stephen's Study Room:

British Military & Criminal History in the period 1900 to 1999.

Home - Spying - World War Two - Treason

Introduction

This section deals with people who were convicted of High Treason for their involvement in World War Two. In total four people were tried and convicted under the High Treason Act 1351 (as amended in 1945). This is contrary to several modern books which get confused between High Treason offences and the Treachery Act 1940. For example, one publication states that Schurch was tried for treason. He was, as stated in his papers at the PRO, courts-martialed for offences under the Treachery Act 1940.

I have also included some information on other people who made radio broadcasts from Germany, and as a consequence were investigated after the war.

Time for Reckoning

As the Second World War drew to a close, MI5, the British Security body responsible for domestic espionage activities, produced a report. This document contains their thoughts concerning the level of involvement of various British renegades in potentially treasonable acts. This report also mentions the use of Indian POWs in German units.

The four people convicted under the High Treason, for their activities during World War Two, were

All four people were sentenced to death by hanging for their treason. Purdy and Cooper had their sentences commuted, and were eventually released.

William Joyce and John Amery were both executed at Wandsworth Prison in London.