One of his first assignments was on 31 October 1942, assisting Albert Pierrepoint in his first execution as a senior, that of Antonio Mancini at HMP Pentonville.
After the Second World War, he worked for a time at a coach dealership in his home town of Doncaster.
The execution of Walter Sharpe (aged 20) took place at the prison on 30 March 1950, when he was assisted by Harry Allen.
[1] His final assignment was the execution of Alec Wilkinson (aged 22), whom he hanged at Leeds on 12 August 1955.
Wade died in Doncaster Royal Infirmary, of stomach cancer, shortly after his 69th birthday.