Photograph of the public headsman or Executioner of the Tower, standing in front of five Guardsmen on Tower Green. He is wearing a Yeoman Warder's uniform and is holding an axe in his left hand. The guardsmen each hold a bayonet in their right hands. The group is photographed standing on the cobbled street outside the Queen's House at the Tower of London. They are shown from a frontal viewpoint, each looking towards the viewer.

The sentence most associated with the Tower of London was beheading with the axe. This was reserved for more important prisoners as it was considered a dignified and honourable end. Public executions took place on Tower Hill, although particularly distinguished prisoners were executed within the Tower itself.