I have transcribed and edited the trial details of the woman who adopted my father. She was a private abortionist - totally illegal at the time - and in 1943 one of her 'patients' died and she was put on trial at the Old Bailey. This was a family secret which I discovered in my late 30's and as you can imagine I was absolutely shocked. She died when I was a baby so I never knew her.
The papers held at the National Archives were released in 1993 but I was disappointed to find that much of it had been removed or censored. I can only imagine that she named some of her prominent clients in court. She seems to have been used by women in high society and also the American armed forces. The girl who died was the girlfriend of an American soldier. If she had named high ranking American officers in court then it would hardly be surprising if the court papers were censored. I have a strong suspicion that one of her clients was an American officer of the very highest rank who went on to a career at the highest political level.
The court papers make fascinating but distressing reading as the procedure of termination was described in detail - completely unlike anything a modern patient would endure. I'd love to post it on here but I fear the moderators would have my guts for garters!
The papers held at the National Archives were released in 1993 but I was disappointed to find that much of it had been removed or censored. I can only imagine that she named some of her prominent clients in court. She seems to have been used by women in high society and also the American armed forces. The girl who died was the girlfriend of an American soldier. If she had named high ranking American officers in court then it would hardly be surprising if the court papers were censored. I have a strong suspicion that one of her clients was an American officer of the very highest rank who went on to a career at the highest political level.
The court papers make fascinating but distressing reading as the procedure of termination was described in detail - completely unlike anything a modern patient would endure. I'd love to post it on here but I fear the moderators would have my guts for garters!
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