Theodore Schurch
| Theodore William John Schurch | |
|---|---|
| Born |
5 May 1918 Hammersmith, London, England |
| Died | 4 January 1946 (aged 27) Pentonville, London, England |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom Nazi Germany Kingdom of Italy
|
| Service/branch |
 British Army
|
| Years of service | 1936–1942 |
| Rank | Private |
| Unit | Royal Army Service Corps |
| Battles/wars | Tobruk |
Theodore William John Schurch (5 May 1918 – 4 January 1946) was a British soldier of Anglo-Swiss parentage who was executed by virtue of the Treachery Act 1940 after the end of World War II. He was the last person to be executed in Britain for an offence other than murder.
Schurch was born in Queen Charlotte's Hospital, Hammersmith, London, while his Swiss father was living in Britain. During his late teens Schurch was a member of the British Union of Fascists.
In 1936 he enlisted in the British Army as a Royal Army Service Corps driver.
During June 1942 Schurch was captured by Axis forces at Tobruk during the North African campaign. Soon afterwards he began working for both Italian and German intelligence. He often posed as a prisoner of war to gain the trust of Allied prisoners, including Colonel Sir David Stirling, initiator of the Special Air Service.
Schurch was arrested in Rome during March 1945, and charged with nine counts of treachery and one count of desertion. He was tried by court martial at the Duke of York's Headquarters in Chelsea, London during September 1945, Major Melford Stevenson presiding. He was defended by Alexander Brands KC. He was found guilty of nine charges of treachery and one of desertion with intent to join the enemy.
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