Archive reveals wicked walnut whips in 1920s murder case

Take care as you unwrap your Easter chocs and be wary about the weedkiller. There could be more at stake than a few extra pounds and some dead daffodils....

A file highlighted for Archive Awareness Campaign reveals an attempt made in 1922 to poison the then Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service with walnut whips. Brigadier-General Sir William Horwood, Commissioner from 1920-1928, received a mysterious package of chocolates in November 1922, which he tucked into after lunch, believing them to be from his daughter Beryl.

Catalogue reference: MEPO 3/1583

The file contains detailed witness accounts of what happened next, including a statement from Sir William which reveals what a true copper he was. In agony, having digested the deceitful delicacies, he grabbed his magnifying glass and began examining the packaging.

The subsequent investigation found that Walter Tatam, of Balham, South London, was responsible for the poisoning attempt. He had contaminated the sweets with weedkiller and wrapped them in a soap box as well as targeting other members of the Met with poisoned chocolate éclairs. The file doesn't say what Tatam's motive was but he was eventually charged with intent to commit murder.

This is just one document being highlighted in the year-long Archive Awareness Campaign to reveal the contents of the UK's 2000 archives.