Chair of Execution

Chair in which Josef Jakobs was seated for his execution. Held by the Armouries, Tower of London. Photo courtesy of Sir Winston Ramsey. Copyright held by After the Battle magazine) Josef Jakobs was seated in a chair for his execution by firing squad at the Tower of London. The use of a chair for his execution has been variously explained: (1) Jakobs had broken his ankle during his landing and was unable to stand, therefore he was seated in a chair. (2) Jakobs was to be hanged, but could not stand due to his broken ankle, therefore seated in a chair and shot. Neither scenario is accurate. Jakobs was able to walk to his execution as evidenced by an eye witness account recorded in the book The Prison Governor by Major Benjamin Dixon Grew. As the Governor of Wandsworth Prison, Grew was present when Jakobs left the prison enroute to the Tower of London. Grew noted that " I stood at the entrance to my office as he approached, still limping from his injury". But,