Early in the morning on this day, our grandfather's body was discovered. He was 9 days into his life sentence. It was alleged he committed suicide by hanging himself with his belt which apparently had been attached to the bars of his cell window.... despite the above news article which shows the bars above the door.
On a piece of jail issued toilet paper Reg Brown declared his innocence.
To Whom it May Concern
I did not kill Bronia Mary Armstrong
(Signed) R.W.S. Brown
A question that immediately springs to mind is: would a prisoner, new to the ''lifer's'' block, be in possession of a pencil?
By some strange coincidence, on 20 March 1947, the same day Reg Brown's body was discovered, the Courier-Mail office received a letter from an unknown person confessing to Bronia Armstrong's murder. In keeping with the speed of the investigation and trial, (8 weeks from arrest to life sentence) Detective 'Stewie' Kerr instantly disregarded the handwritten confession letter.
During our research we were told by a very elderly and well respected former prison officer that police would sometimes arrive at Boggo Road Gaol during the night with the hope of entering a prisoner's cell. This particular gentleman said he never allowed it, but others had.
No more anniversary posts will appear on this website. Our grandfather can hopefully rest in peace now after 70 years. So too Bronia Mary Armstrong.
Deb and Jan
