In 1890, Rudyard Kipling first published his poem ‘Danny Deever’ in which he described the execution of a British soldier in India for the murder of a comrade. In the poem, the murder’s battalion is obliged to watch while the man is hanged, and then to march past the corpse. Although a fictional account apparently based on a real execution, the poem clearly reflected the military practice of the time.
The churchyard of Agios Konstantinos and Eleni in Iraklion, contains the memorials to the majority of the British servicemen who died on Crete during the European Intervention. Inscribed on both the memorial wall and the battalion obelisk of 2/Rifle Brigade is the name of Acting Sergeant F. G. Austin, Number 1774, who died on 16th March 1899, aged 25.
Memorial Plaque. Agios Konstantinos and Eleni, Iraklion.
Rifle Brigade memorial obelisk. Agios Konstantinos and Eleni, Iraklion.
What makes Austin different from the other 150 or so servicemen commemorated in the churchyard is that he didn’t die of disease, enemy action or accident; he was murdered by a comrade.
On 26th March 1899, Major General Chermside, Commanding British troops on Crete, reported that on the 24th March, a private in 2/Rifle Brigade, was hung ‘for the murder on the 16th, of a Sergeant in the same battalion.’ Unsurprisingly, no member of the battalion is recorded on the battalion memorial as dying on 24th March.
However, in research for a forthcoming book, an account by one of the soldiers in the battalion who was present at the time has shown that the name of the murderer was Rifleman Ralph Hennesey (number 2911), and the murder was conducted whilst the Sergeant was in bed reading the paper. He was shot dead before anyone could react and Hennesey made no attempt to cover this up, taking full responsibility and stating he acted alone. The reason for the act appears to have been that the Sergeant had been making number 4 section of B company’s lives so miserable for the last 12 months that this otherwise unassuming soldier had just had enough of him. The account goes on to say that Hennesey went to the scaffold bravely and without hesitation, impressing many of those present.*
The execution of the murderer was carried out in front not only his battalion, 2/Rifle Brigade, but also of the garrison in Candia. A member of 2/Northumberland Fusiliers present recorded the following:
“We had a very unpleasant job that was hanging of a private for the murder of a Sergeant by shotting him for which he was hung in front of the garrison his coffin being in front of him from the cell to the ground where the seafold was erected and the band was playing the dead march. This execution took place on the March 16 at 8am. It was very distressing after he was hung the men marched by his corpse in fours getting the command ‘Eyes is Right’ on which all turned their eyes towards him when in line with him. His body was then cut down and put in a coffin anyhow and put onto a dirtcart from burial; with the grave diggers who were soldiers smoking etc in rear of his body he was buried as a dog.”
[Excerpt from “The Soudan Campaign.” L/Cpl W. Chippett. E Company, 1/Northumberland Fusiliers. Northumberland Fusiliers Museum Archive 2012:15/2. Spelling and punctuation as original.]
It’s not known if Lance Corporal Chippett was familiar with Kipling’s poem, but it’s clear that, on this occasion at least, Kipling knew what he was talking about.
*Information courtesy of Joe Pearce from his, as yet, unpublished book ‘William Albert Jelley: A Life in the Rifle Brigade.’
The British in Crete, 1896 to 1913. 
Hello,
I am doing some research on my great-great grandfather who was in the Rifle Brigade and served in Crete after the Nile Expedition before going to South Africa (so from September 1898 to October 1899) and I am able to say with confidence that the name of the murderer was Rifleman Ralph Hennesey (number 2911). He was put to death on the 24th of March 1899. I also know from a letter written by one of my ancestor’s comrades that the murder was conducted whilst the sergeant was in bed reading the paper. He was shot dead before anyone could react and he made no attempt to cover this up, taking full responsibility and stating he acted alone. The reason for it was basically that the sergeant had been making number 4 section of B company’s lives so miserable for the last 12 months that this otherwise unassuming soldier had just had enough of him.
The account by the Northumberland Fusilier is accurate and almost completely matches that told in the soldier’s letter.
I came across your website the other day when looking at something else relating to his stay – perhaps you could email me so that we may discuss things some more? I’ve quite a few questions I’d love to ask!
Best regards,
Joe
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Hello – Same here and here is an excerpt from the notes my Rifle Brigade ancestor left regarding Pte Hennessy:
24th Execution of Pte Hennessy of “B.Coy” 2nd Batt Rifle Brigade for the murder of Sgt Austin of “B” Coy. On the night of the 16th of March 1899 at 7.45 we were formed up on the left of the scaffold. The Northumberland Fusiliers were facing the scaffold and the Navy on the right with the Artillery.
At 8am the prisoner was taken out of his cell when the band started to play the death march in Saul?. The prisoner with a firm step keeping in time with the band. He was marched on to the scaffold where he stood as firm as a rock when his crime was read out to him. He kept looking at the officer and then at our Regiment. When the officer had finished he asked the prisoner whether he had anything to say. The prisoner in a clear voice said “Yes Sir”. So he was allowed to speak when he said I wish to speak for one thing only. They think that Pte Freeman helped me to do that murder but I must say that he did not know anything about it although it was his rifle I committed the deed with. How I came to use his rifle was this way I went outside the hut and round to the window and as I could not reach my own rifle I took his as it was the nearest and I shot Sgt. Austin through the window while he laid in bed.
And after he had finished the rope was put round his neck and his arms and legs were pinioned. When all was ready the bolt was drawn and the prisoner was no more on this earth. After the doctor had pronounced life extinct the door was opened and the Regiments and Navy that were present marched past getting the command “eyes right” as we passed by the door. You could see his lifeless body hanging.
After this was over we formed fours and marched to our own parade grounds dismissed. While, this was being done they had told a party of men off to cut him down, and put him in his coffin. When this was done he was put into a cart and buried,. There was no one allowed to follow him to the grave, but I must say I never did see a man face death like that man did.
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Hi Kevin.
Many thanks for that information.
The tune referred to is the ‘Death March from the Saul Oratorio’, G.F. Handel; traditionally played before executions in the British army.
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