William Joyce, or 'Lord Haw-Haw' as he was most commonly known, was a fanatical Fascist who proudly broadcasted Nazi propaganda from Germany to Britain during World War Two. It was his tenacious loyalty to Nazi Socialism that led him to be the last man to be executed for Treason by the British Crown.
Born 24th April 1906 in New York to Emily and Michael, an English Protestant and Irish Catholic, Joyce was three when they returned to Ireland. By the age of five Joyce could read fluently. He attended St. Ignatius Loyola College, Galway and would often argue with teachers and would wilfully start fights. On one occasion his nose was broken which resulted in his nasal tone of voice which he would later become famous for.
Joyce’s was unwavering in his loyalty to the British Crown during
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In a statement on the 31st, May 1945, Joyce said, 'I know that I have been denounced as a traitor and I resent the accusation, as I conceive myself to have been guilty of no underhand or deceitful act against Britain, although I am also able to understand the resentment that my broadcasts have, in many quarters, aroused. 'The judge sentenced William Joyce to death. On 3rd January 1946, Joyce was hung in Wandsworth Prison.
Even in his last hours, Joyce had no doubts or regrets about his approval and dedication to Germany and Nazis: 'That this hope and this belief shall not prove vain there are two guarantees for me sufficient; the greatness of Adolf Hitler and the Greater Glory of Almighty God.'
William Joyce led an ironic life. Although he was American and British, during the war he publically opposed them and supported their mutual enemy, Germany. He did this through his cleverly constructed and potently articulated radio broadcasts. Such contradictory behaviour made him a memorable participant in the colossal machine that was Nazi Propaganda and ensured that he was dubbed with the infamous title: ‘The WW2