User:HistoricNZ/Bayonet Bill

Bayonet Bill as he was dubbed by the public was a multiple murderer in the provinces of Otago and Canterbury in New Zealand in the late nineteenth century. His real name was Charles Lay. His story has many unspoken and largely unknown parts. He was a veteran of the Boer War and appears to have murdered in the psychotic belief that he coudl save his mother from death by tuberculosis if she ingested healthy young nurses or nun's lungs.

Many story's, movie scripts and poems have been published and written, based on the horrific story of Bayonet Bill

Family
Charles Lay Grew up in Aberfoyle, Stirling near Oban in Scotland. His father; Charles Douglas Lay; a commonly drunk alcoholic, unemployed through most of Charles' life. the family had litle money as a result living a subsistence life as with many families of the area. Lay's mother was Olive Nell Macfarlin (possibly Macfarlane or MacFarlane) left her husband taking her children (date unknown).

Literature Inspired by Bayonet Bill
Nursery Rhymes and Poems adapted from the sudden interest that arose in Bayonet Bill in the Second World War.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Is Bayonet Bill near or far He's so quiet you wouldn't know Until under his knife you go Twinkle Twinkle Little Star Bayonet Bill isn't far (c.1943 Anonymous)

Humpty Dumpty Sat on the wall Bayonet Bill Got ready to maul He gripped his knife And plunged it deep Gave Humpty to Bill's Grandma for her to eat Bayonet Bill Sat On The Wall Humpty Dumpty had a great fall. (1944 - John Sydney Davies, 1922-1976)

Jill's brother Jack Went up the hill Bill was waiting to slaughter Jack never came down Bill had cut around His lungs and stolen them for his mother. (date and author unknown)

Bayonet in hand, Down the path Bill would creep, His footsteps silent On the cold dark street Victim in sight He'd run and attack The young ladies chest He would slice and cut back

The young ladies lungs On to toast he would smother He'd make these gruesome snacks To save his sick mother

Girl after girl, All healthy and young He would attack And remove their lungs They said he was mad, They said he was insane For in his victims chests, Only a note would remain

The words on this note? There were only two. And these two simple words? “Thank you”.