Edward Badham

Sergeant Edward Badham, 31H.

Witness at Annie Chapman's and Alice McKenzie's inquests.

Born 1862 in Barnes, Middlesex. Joined Metropolitan Police in 1880, warrant no.65001. Married to Eliza (b.1868) with four children, Edward (b.1886), Lilian (b.1892), Helena (b.1896) and Bessie (b.1899).

Although his name is mistranscribed as Edmund Berry or Baugham, it was Sergeant Badham who transported the body of Annie Chapman to the mortuary on the ambulance. He appeared on the third day of the inquest (13th September 1888):

Sergeant Baugham [sic], 31 H, stated that he conveyed the body of the deceased to the mortuary on the ambulance.

[Coroner] Are you sure that you took every portion of the body away with you? - Yes.

[Coroner] Where did you deposit the body? - In the shed, still on the ambulance. I remained with it until Inspector Chandler arrived. Detective-Sergeant Thicke viewed the body, and I took down the description. There were present two women, who came to identify the body, and they described the clothing. They came from 35, Dorset-street.

[Coroner] Who touched the clothing? - Sergeant Thicke. I did not see the women touch the clothing nor the body. I did not see Sergeant Thicke touch the body.

The Manchester Guardian reported that Sgt. Badham (they called him 'Betham') accompanied Inspector Walter Beck to 13 Miller's Court after they were both notified of the murder of Mary Jane Kelly by a frantic Thomas Bowyer at about 11.00am, 9th November 1888. It is generally accepted that Beck was the first police official to arrive at the Kelly crime scene, though several police officials would subsequently claim they were the first to arrive (see Walter Dew, George Godley).

Sgt. Badham was also on duty at Commercial Street Police Station on the evening of 12th November 1888. The inquest into the death of Mary Jane Kelly had finished earlier that day. At around 6.00pm, George Hutchinson arrived at the station claiming he had seen Kelly with a man of 'respectable appearance' on the night of her death. Badham took Hutchinson's initial statement that evening.

On the morning of 17th July 1889, Sergeant Badham was on duty inspecting beat constables when he was alerted to the discovery of Alice McKenzie's body by Walter Andrews (PC) in Castle Alley. His report, written the same day, reads:

I beg to report that at about 12.48am 17th inst. I visited PC 272H Walter Andrews in Catle Alley, Whitechapel. He being on the Beat No.11 on the 4th section. I said to him alright he replied alright Sergeant. I then left him and went to visit another PC on an adjoining beat. I had only got about 150 yards from PC 272H when I heard a whistle blow twice. I rushed to the bottom of Castle Alley and heard PC 272H say come on quick he ran up the alley, and I followed, and on the pavement closer to two vans on the right side of the footway I saw a woman lying on her right side with her clothes half up to her waist exposing the abdomen. I also noticed a quantity of blood under her head on the footway.

The PC said there's another murder. I directed the PC not to leave the body or let anybody touch it intil the Dr. arrived. I got the assistance of PC 101H here and PC 423 Allen. The former PC I directed to search the place and sent PC 423 for the doctor, and Inspr. on duty, and on his return to make search. Other constables arrived shortly afterwards, also the local Inspr. Mr Reid CID. I also hailed a passing cab and acquainted the Superintendent of what had taken place. Several men were drafted in different directions to make enquiries at Lodging Houses Coffe Houses &c to see if any suspicious man had recently entered them. The body was afterwards conveyed by me on the ambulance to the Whitechapel Mortuary where the body was searched by Inspr. Reid who gave me a description of the body.

Description age about 40 length 5ft 4 complexion pale hair and eyes brown top of thumb on left hand deficient also tooth deficient in upper jaw. Dress red stuff bodice patched under arms and sleeves with marone one black one marone stockings brown stuff skirt kilted brown lindsey petticoat, white chemise and apron, paisley shawl, button boots. all old nothing found on person.

E. Badham Sergt

Thos. Hawks Insp.

An old clay pipe and a farthing were found under the body.

Sergeant Badham then appeared at the first day of the inquest, also 17th July 1889:

About 12 minutes to 1 this morning I was in Old Castle-street and saw Constable Andrews. I went up to him and said, "All right?" He replied, "All right, sergeant." I then left him and went to visit another man on the adjoining beat. I then went to Pell-lane, when I heard two blows from a whistle. I listened for the second blow to ascertain from where it came. On hearing the second whistle I rushed up Newcastle-street and met Andrews who shouted out, "Come on, quick." I threw my cape to the ground and rushed up after him. I saw a woman lying on the pavement on the near side with her throat cut, and her head lying in a pool of blood. The legs and stomach were exposed. I got the assistance of other constables and blocked up the ends of the alley, and directed Constable 423H to fetch the doctor and acquaint the doctor on duty. I also directed Constable 101H to search the place and also the surrounding streets; and Constable 272H to remain with the body, and not to let any one touch it until the doctor arrived. Sergeant 21 H and the local inspector came up and made search. They were followed by Detective-Inspector Reid. I also acquainted the superintendent, and directed other constables to make careful inquiry at the lodging-houses, coffee-houses, and places where men were likely to go. In the meantime the doctor arrived. I also made search myself, but failed to find trace of any person that was likely to have committed the murder.

[Coroner] Had you been in the alley at all that night? - No.

The PC 101H referred to above was PC George Neve.