Howard, Robert Rice

Robert 'Nosey Bob' Howard was the New South Wales public hangman from 1876 until his retirement in 1904. He acted as assistant executioner several times prior to his official permanent appointment. Howard had been a successful hansom cab driver who was popular with his wealthy Darling Harbour clientele (it was rumoured that he had been the preferred cab driver for Prince Alfred during his visit to Sydney in 1868), but after being kicked in the head by one of his horses and losing his nose, his disfigured appearance deterred his former patrons and his business failed. He moved from Paddington with his family to Bondi Beach in 1888 and lived there until his death in 1906.