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Tragedy in three voices: The Rattenbury murder
When the quiet George Stoner, not yet eighteen years old, went to live with Mr. and Mrs. Rattenbury as their chauffeur and odd-jobs man, it was a prelude to one of the most controversial murder cases of the century.
Alma Rattenbury had been a musical prodigy as a child violinist and pianist and later became a successful song writer. In the First World War she was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her bravery as a nurse at the front.
Her husband was a distinguished architect who was well-known for having designed some of the most notable buildings in Canada. After he retired they settled in Bournemouth. At the time of the murder he was a man of 67, in poor mental and physical health, and his wife a vital, creative personality in her mid- thirties.
They had a son, and after his birth Rattenbury told his wife she 'could lead her own life'/ It was in this situation that a liaison was formed between Mrs. Rattenbury and Stoner, a relationship which became a mutually passionate love affair.
On 24th March 1935 Francis Rattenbury was found mortally wounded with blows to the head, and first Mrs. Rattenbury and then George Stoner were arrested and charged with murder. They were tried together at the Old Bailey.
The authors with immense care and research have reconstructed the case, the background to it, the trial and its tragic aftermath, and in the light of their researches for the first time have been able to reveal a plausible motive for the crime.
With its foundations laid bare, the story unfolds as a classic tragedy, engulfing a remarkable woman, a man of achievement in his declining years, and an infatuated youth.
Alma Rattenbury had been a musical prodigy as a child violinist and pianist and later became a successful song writer. In the First World War she was awarded the Croix de Guerre for her bravery as a nurse at the front.
Her husband was a distinguished architect who was well-known for having designed some of the most notable buildings in Canada. After he retired they settled in Bournemouth. At the time of the murder he was a man of 67, in poor mental and physical health, and his wife a vital, creative personality in her mid- thirties.
They had a son, and after his birth Rattenbury told his wife she 'could lead her own life'/ It was in this situation that a liaison was formed between Mrs. Rattenbury and Stoner, a relationship which became a mutually passionate love affair.
On 24th March 1935 Francis Rattenbury was found mortally wounded with blows to the head, and first Mrs. Rattenbury and then George Stoner were arrested and charged with murder. They were tried together at the Old Bailey.
The authors with immense care and research have reconstructed the case, the background to it, the trial and its tragic aftermath, and in the light of their researches for the first time have been able to reveal a plausible motive for the crime.
With its foundations laid bare, the story unfolds as a classic tragedy, engulfing a remarkable woman, a man of achievement in his declining years, and an infatuated youth.
249 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1980
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March 19, 2015
Take an ageing successful businessman, a wife almost 30 years younger than him and an 18-year-old handsome chauffeur/odd-job man and there is the recipe for potential disaster.
Francis Rattenbury, previously married, was a successful, rich, architect when he met Alma, a struggling musician. He became besotted with her and very quickly they married. At first he was writing to his sister, 'I have a wonderfully happy home - bright, joyous and full of fun all the time ... She is a very interesting - most lovable - human soul.'
A couple of years after their marriage Rattenbury retired and they moved to Bournemouth and had a son, John. But when the son was born, Rattenbury took up a new stance and told his wife to live her own life and while they continued to live reasonably harmoniously she took him at his word.
The couple employed a chauffeur cum odd-job man, or rather boy for he was just 18 years old. It did not take long for Alma to become attached to him and they became lovers. Rattenbury either did or did not know the true depth of the relationship, depending on whose version one believes. But, whatever, he accepted it and continued to live his own life and enjoy some happy times with his wife.
However, one night he was discovered mortally wounded in his study and suspicion fell on the other two main protagonists. Alma at first appeared alarmed about the incident and suggested that Rattenbury's son from his first marriage had committed the crime but then decided that she had done it and confessed.
The chauffeur initially denied any knowledge of the crime, which eventually resulted in Rattenbury dying, but then he, too, confessed. Both were arrested and, to many people's surprise, they were tried together. And the three authors of 'Tragedy in Three Voices', having excellently set the scene, cover the sensational trial in full detail ... and the somewhat surprising outcome for both parties.
Francis Rattenbury, previously married, was a successful, rich, architect when he met Alma, a struggling musician. He became besotted with her and very quickly they married. At first he was writing to his sister, 'I have a wonderfully happy home - bright, joyous and full of fun all the time ... She is a very interesting - most lovable - human soul.'
A couple of years after their marriage Rattenbury retired and they moved to Bournemouth and had a son, John. But when the son was born, Rattenbury took up a new stance and told his wife to live her own life and while they continued to live reasonably harmoniously she took him at his word.
The couple employed a chauffeur cum odd-job man, or rather boy for he was just 18 years old. It did not take long for Alma to become attached to him and they became lovers. Rattenbury either did or did not know the true depth of the relationship, depending on whose version one believes. But, whatever, he accepted it and continued to live his own life and enjoy some happy times with his wife.
However, one night he was discovered mortally wounded in his study and suspicion fell on the other two main protagonists. Alma at first appeared alarmed about the incident and suggested that Rattenbury's son from his first marriage had committed the crime but then decided that she had done it and confessed.
The chauffeur initially denied any knowledge of the crime, which eventually resulted in Rattenbury dying, but then he, too, confessed. Both were arrested and, to many people's surprise, they were tried together. And the three authors of 'Tragedy in Three Voices', having excellently set the scene, cover the sensational trial in full detail ... and the somewhat surprising outcome for both parties.
Displaying 1 of 1 review