Was school dentist
a Cold War spy?
by David Skentelbery
A WRITER is seeking information about a former Warrington school dentist who may have been involved in a web of “Cold War” spying in London in the Fifties.
George Ellis – former husband of Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in Britain – worked as a school dentist in Warrington in the early 50s.
He lived in Walton Road, Stockton Heath, quitting his job with the education authority in 1955 but remaining in the town until shortly before his death – apparently from suicide – in 1958.
Interest in the Manchester-born dentist has intensified since the publication, earlier this year of the book “Ruth Ellis: My Sister’s Secret Life” by Muriel Jakubait, with Monica Weller.
Muriel has spent most of her life trying to prove her sister was not guilty of the murder of her lover, playboy-racing driver David Blakely.
The book alleges a third person, linked to a web of espionage, actually pulled the trigger of the 38 calibre Smith and Wesson revolver with which he shot.
It also suggests that George – who was divorced from Ruth by the time of her murder – may have been involved in spying.
Journalist Monica Weller, who co-wrote the book with Muriel, has contacted Warrington-Worldwide in an attempt to find anyone from the Warrington area who may have known George.
“He was born in 1909, graduated from Manchester School of Dentistry in 1933, had a practice on Sanderstead Hill in Surrey until 1950, became a school dentist in Warrington until 1955 and apparently committed suicide in 1958 in a Jersey hotel.
“During and just after the Second World War, he was a regular at the White Hart Hotel in Brasted, Kent. Battle of Britain pilots, Soviet super spies Guy Burgess and Donald Maclean and nuclear weapons bigwigs from Fort Halstead congregated there regularly.”
Perhaps significantly, George is understood to have also known Stephen Ward, the society osteopath involved some years later in the infamous Profumo affair, in which the Secretary of State for War was sleeping with hostess Christine Keeler, who was also sharing a bed with a Russian naval attach?.
Ruth Ellis was hanged in 1955 after being found guilty of murdering David Blakely in a London street the same year. Witnesses say they saw her shoot him and an off-duty police officer is said to have arrested her with the smoking gun in her hand.
But Monica Weller says evidence which never went before the jury suggests that the gun was too heavy for Ruth to have used – she suffered from arthritis in the wrist – and that bullet marks on a wall indicate the shooting took place 20 or 30 yards away from where the witnesses placed it. In addition, some witnesses who were not called to give evidence, gave conflicting versions of what happened.
Anyone who remembers George Ellis is asked to write to Monica Weller, in confidence, c/o the publishers, Constable and Robinson, 3, The Lanchesters, 162 Fulham Palace Road, London W6 9ER or email her at [email protected]
Memorial unveiled to
honour airbase veterans
by Gary Skentelbery
DESPITE the threat of hurricanes a memorial has been unveiled in America honouring all those who served at the giant US army airbase at Burtonwood near Warrington.
Three members of the Warrington based Burtonwood Association braved the journey to Louisiana for the unveiling of a special memorial at Barksdale Airbase – home of the “Mighty 8th Airforce” which was based at Burtonwood during the Second World War.
The unveiling had been planned as part of the annual Burtonwood Reunion when members from England meet up with their American “allies.” But due to threat of hurricane Katrina, the hotel where the group had booked in had to be evacuated and made available for survivors. As a result only three Uk members and around 50 from the States were able to attend the ceremony.
Warrington based member Pete Boardman, who was able to attend with fellow UK based members Aldon Ferguson and Sheila Waddington, said: “It was a very moving occasion and we are delighted this memorial has now been unveiled at the home of the mighty 8th airforce.
“Its just a shame more members were not able to enjoy the experience.”
Thousands of US army and air personnel served at the base for more than half a century. They became an important part of the local economy and many Warrington girls became GI Brides, moving to the States with their husbands.
Strong links remain thanks to the efforts of the Burtonwood Association which is currently working with Warrington based theme park Gulliver’s World to create a heritage attraction to help keep the memory alive.
A temporary museum has been set up after the association had to leave the former base site which has now made way for a new urban village development.
The base closed to active service in the 1990’s last being used during the first Gulf War but had previously hosted Hollywood legends including Bob Hope and James Stewart, as well as big band leader Glenn Miller.
It was at one time the biggest US Army supply depot in Europe.
Police get a “good
performance” report
by Terry Johnson
POLICE in Warrington have been given a ?good performance? report from the Home Office for their efforts in reducing lawlessness.
But Cheshire Police get only a ?fair? rating for criminal investigation work and a ?poor? label for providing assistance.
The force’s citizen-focused policing is only ?fair? – a deterioration on the previous year’s review. Local policing is said to be ?good?.
The Home Office’s latest mapping of police forces in England and Wales paints a picture of reducing crime and more offenders being brought to justice.
Recorded crime overall has been cut by 6.2 per cent – and, says the report, people are ?less worried about being victims of crime than in previous years?.
“In the majority of forces, the risk of being a victim of crime has decreased. The service as a whole achieved 78 per cent user satisfaction”.
Home Office Minister, Hazel Blears, said: “The overall picture of policing performance is very encouraging. Crime and the fear of crime are both down. And the number of offences brought to justice has gone up”.
No figures are given in the Home Office table for Warrington, which has had four police chiefs this year.
Community leaders have voiced concerns that the town has become a stepping stone for fast-track promotions of senior officers to other forces. They are worried that this could have a disrupting effect on police performance in Cheshire’s most populous town, with its high number of pubs and clubs.
Hospital patients who
do themselves no favours
by Terry Johnson
PATIENTS with non-emergency conditions are not doing themselves any favours by joining the over-stretched line at Warrington Hospital’s A&E Dept at week-ends.
Hospital chiefs say patients ‘should make the right choice’ to get NHS treatment more speedily.
They state: “Accident and Emergency is not an alternative to your GP. Calling 999 for an ambulance does not get you to the top of the queue as all patients are seen on the basis of medical need.
“GP’s are experts in general medical problems, while A&E doctors are specialists in accidents and emergencies.”
A&E is the right choice when someone is seriously ill and in need of emergency care, like a heart attack, broken bone or heavy bleeding.
Confidential health advice is available from NHS Direct on 0845-4647.
“Lock-up” warning as
the clocks go back
by Terry Johnson
THE clocks go back in the early hours of tomorrow (Sunday)…and with Christmas looming larger more burglars are on the prowl.
Warrington’s crime reduction advisor, Lynne Lees, said last night: “A house in darkness is an easy giveaway. Not just to the professional burglar, but also to the opportunist thief.
“A simple timing switch costing a
few pounds can put a stop to that”.
Burglars can spot which people are at work, picking up schoolchildren or are just out….by walking down the street after 4.00pm looking for homes in darkness.
A timer switch operating lights and radios could mean the difference between happiness and heartbreak.
Find out how safe your home is by visiting www.cheshire.police.uk
Garage extension
gets green light
by John Hendon
MEMBERS of Warrington?s development control committee have given the green light for a single-storey extension to a detached garage adjoining a house in Smithy Brow, Croft ? after making a site inspection.
Croft Parish Council had lodged an objection to the scheme on the grounds the site was already over-developed and that the further extension would worsen the situation.
But officers, while accepted the site had been the subject of previous additional building, argued that there would be limited views of the extension from public land and that there would be no adverse impact on the Green Belt.
A side window which had resulted in an earlier application being refused had been removed to overcome the problem.
News in brief
Road works
WARRINGTON Borough Council has made an order temporarily prohibiting traffic from turning from Sankey Way into Cromwell Avenue South at Great Sankey. It comes into force on Monday (October 31) and is expected to be in force for seven days while maintenance work is carried out on water mains. An alternative route will be signposted.
Soccer school
A SIX-week soccer school opens at Westy Community Centre, in Bridgewater Avenue, Latchford, Warrington on Thursday November 3 for 5-8 year-olds. The cost is ?1 a session and details are available on 01925 570870.
Station closed
TRAINS will not be stopping at Birchwood Station, Warrington tomorrow (Sunday) while repairs are carried out to both platforms, track, etc. A bus service is being laid on to ferry passengers to alternative stations.
Harvest supper
VILLAGERS at Croft, near Warrington will be attending the annual Harvest Supper at Christ Church, Lady Lane tonight (Saturday) when there will be a hot pot supper and apple pie and ice cream.
