Theodore Schurch

Theodore William John Schurch (5 May 1918 – 4 January 1946) was a British soldier of Anglo-Swiss parentage who was executed under the Treachery Act 1940 following the end of the Second World War. He was the last person to be executed in Britain for an offence other than murder.

Early life

Schurch was born at Queen Charlotte's Hospital, London while his Swiss father was living in Britain. During his late teens Schurch was a member of the British Union of Fascists.^[1]

On 8 July 1936 he enlisted in the British Army as a Royal Army Service Corps driver.

Betrayal

In June 1942 Schurch was captured by Axis forces at Tobruk during the North African campaign. Shortly afterwards he began working for both Italian and German intelligence. He often posed as a prisoner of war to gain the trust of Allied prisoners, including Colonel Sir David Stirling, founder of the Special Air Service.

Trial and execution

Schurch was arrested in Rome in March 1945, and charged with nine counts of treachery and one count of desertion. He was tried by court martial at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London in September 1945, Major Melford Stevenson presiding. He was defended by Alexander Brands KC. He was found guilty of all charges.

Schurch was hanged on 4 January 1946 at HM Prison Pentonville, at the age of 27. His execution was conducted by Albert Pierrepoint.

Schurch was the only British soldier executed for treachery committed during the Second World War. However, Duncan Scott-Ford, a merchant seaman, was also hanged for treachery, and Captain Patrick Stanley Vaughan Heenan of the British Indian Army was convicted of espionage, and shot by a guard.

Civilians William Joyce and John Amery were executed for treason, a different offence.

References

• Norman Davies (2008). Europe at War 1939–1945: No Simple Victory. Pan Macmillan. p. 234. ISBN 0-330-47229-1.