John Henry Wilson

John Henry Wilson was beaten to death whilst on a night out in Edinburgh.

He was found near Lothian Road, near Morrison Street.

The police said that the person that they thought could help them in their investigations was of 'almost Italian appearance'. The man was described as:

• Aged 25 to 30.
• Between 5ft 9in and 6ft tall.
• Well built.
• Round Face.
• Dark, bushy hair.
• Thought to have been wearing light grey or khaki-drill jeans, a light jerkin or jacket and a T-shirt.

John Wilson was found with severe face and head injuries.

The murder weapon was not found.

The police said that they had reconstructed his last hours, saying that he had been drinking in a Tollcross bar and then later in a public house in Lothian Road, about 150 yards from where he was found dead.

He had been staying in a lodging house at 72 Grove Street at the time and other residents there were questioned by the police over his murder.

John Wilson was described as a 'dour Aberdonian'. He had served an apprenticeship as a brass-finisher in Aberdeen before going to Leith in the 1930s. He had worked in a local laundry and then gone to sea as a trawlerman before taking up jobs as a builder's labourer, a fitter and a hotel porter.