The Ipswich Prison, from the air in the 1920s. The prison wall can be seen clearly with a large garden area to the right of the main buildings. The female wing closed in March 1922. The whole prison closed in June 1925. It was demolished in the 1930s It is hard to imagine that executions took place in the centre of Ipswich.  A list of executions includes many for murder, arson, horse stealing, robbery and burglary. The last execution, for murder, was of Mr. F Southgate of Ardleigh, on November 27, 1924. The last public hanging took place at the junction of St Helen’s Street and Orchard Street, April 14 1863. John Ducker a laborer was hanged for murder.Major’s corner is in the top centre of the picture with Bond Street from centre left, and Rope Walk across the bottom of the picture. The Regent Theatre was not built until later, opening in 1929.

David Kindred

David Kindred has worked in professional photography for over forty years. For most of his career he was a staff photographer with the East Anglian Daily Times and Evening Star based in Ipswich. David is the author of several books of photographs from his collection of vintage images. David was born in Ipswich in 1946. He still lives in the town today.

 

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