Beneath the serene façade of Gentle Street in Frome lies a harrowing tale, a mystery that continues to perplex and haunt the local community. 

This is the story of the Williams family - a tale of three unexplained deaths within the walls of their family home.

On a seemingly ordinary Saturday, July 18, 1936, a discovery was made that would forever mark Gentle Street with a sombre memory. Following a tip from a concerned milkman, police entered the Williams' residence. There, they found a scene of despair: 38-year-old Albert John Williams lay lifeless in his bed, presenting no apparent signs of distress or struggle. In a heart-wrenching contrast, his wife Alice Mabel and their six-year-old son David Arthur were found lifeless, hanging side by side in their nightclothes.

Albert Williams, known in the community as the steward of the Services Club, had been witnessed the previous night in good spirits and health. His past as a serviceman in Mesopotamia and India, and his local fame as a footballer for the town club, made the events even more baffling. The family, who had plans for a holiday, now lay in an inexplicable tragedy.

The inquest, led by Mr. C Leslie Rutter, brought more questions than answers. Dr. C H Farley Johnston, unable to determine a cause for Mr. Williams' death, suggested natural causes. However, the cause of death for Mrs. Williams and young David was clear yet unfathomable.

As the investigation unfolded, it seemed the tragedy pointed towards Alice. Friends testified to her devotion to her family, yet hinted at her deep-seated fears for their wellbeing. Detective Sergeant Whittel noted the undisturbed nature of the house, with tea still waiting in the pot.

Ultimately, the jury concluded that Albert Williams died of asphyxia under unclear circumstances. They believed Alice, in a state of mental distress, ended her son's life before taking her own. The possibility that Alice might have caused her husband's death, or perhaps found him deceased, was suggested but never confirmed.

This story, shrouded in uncertainty, remains one of the most unsettling chapters in the history of Frome. The true events of that fateful night in the Williams home on Gentle Street may never be fully uncovered, leaving a lingering shadow over the memory of what occurred behind those unassuming stone walls.

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