Shocking Discovery

In June 1876, a shocking incident occured at the Woodlands estate, when an infant was found dead in a closet. What made this tragic event even more intriguing, was that the Woodlands was occupied by the former rector of Ashow Church, The Hon. and Rev. Charles Samuel Twistleton.

The alleged perpetrator of the murder was housemaid of six years, Martha Busby, whose recent ‘condition’ and behaviour, had drawn the suspicion of the staff. Busby had left the premises on Tuesday 6th, telling them she had to go home to Culworth in Northamptonshire, to nurse her sick mother. On the afternoon of Friday 9th, the gardener, Stephen Hewens came across some blood in the garden. This led him to look inside the closet, where he discovered the body of a child, which had been strangled using an apron twisted around its neck.

Inquest – 10th June

The inquest took place on Saturday evening, one day after the discovery of the child’s body. Presiding was deputy coroner of Mid-Warwickshire, Dr. Daniel Wynter, the chosen foreman was Mr.Talbot.

Dr. Wynter addressed the jury, and said that the case that they have been called upon was of such a peculiar nature, that he intended to adjourn the court after the evidence of three witnesses was given. These being, the gardener (who found the body), the coachman and sergeant Ingram.

Dr. Wynter said the body had been bought to his surgery where he examining it. The body was then was taken to the Police Headquarters, where the Chief Constable Kinchant, asked that a post-mortem be undertaken. The results of which, will be announced at the adjourned inquest. The case might resolve itself, one of wilful murder, so consequently, a great deal of caution was required.

Housemaid at Woodlands, Martha Busby had left on Tuesday last week, and suspicions had been aroused as to her ‘state’. The case was no doubt one of consealment of birth or murder. In ascertaining the cause of death, several things had to be taken into consideration.

Evidence – Stephen Hewens

Witness, Stephen Hewens, gardener, in the employ of the Mr. Twistleton, stated that yesterday morning he had a conversation with housekeeper, Emma Perkins. She expressed very strong suspicions of the reason why Martha Busby had left. She asked me if I had seen any earth that had been moved around the closet, I told her no, I hadn’t. I then asked her if there was anything wrong? She replied, yes, there is something very wrong. At about 2 o’clock I needed to go to the closet. I looked down inside it and observed the body of a child. I struck a match and could see the body was on its side with the right arm extended. I went straight into the house and informed the female servants. I came back out and met the coachman, John Allen. I told him what I had seen so he went to the closet and pulled the body out with a pair of tongs. I went back into the house and got a key and locked the closet door. I saw some blood in the garden about six or seven yards from the closet, there appeared to have been a large quantity of blood but the rain had partly washed it away. The closet is surrounded by shrubs and it’s in a quite part of the garden. I never saw Busby anywhere near it.

Evidence – John Allen

Witness, John Allen, the coachman in the employ of Mr. Twistleton, told the court that when he returned from dinner at a little after 2 o’clock he met the gardener near the stable yard. He told me that a serious job had happened, he was very quiet at first and would not tell me what had happened but eventually told me he had found a body in the closet. I said I would go and get it out. I went into the kitchen and got some tongs and pulled the body out onto the carpet in the closet. I never noticed Martha Busby near the shrubs, the place is a private area.

Police Evidence

Witness, Sergeant Ingram, told the inquest that from the information he received, he went to the Woodlands, and in a closet he found the body of a female child. He took possesion of the body and examined it, finding bruises on the thighs and face. A piece of something like tape, which later was found to be the hem of an apron, was tied tightly around its neck, which had lacerated the skin. He also saw the mouth was stuffed with leaves and dirt. He then took the body to Dr. Wynter, and then afterwards to the police. This morning, in the company of Superintentent Lapworth, he made an examination of the area surrounding the closet, and found traces of blood in a corner on some withered leaves, and on some branches of ivy, which had been torn from the wall about a dozen yards away from that spot. He searched a chest of drawers in the room occupied by Martha Busby, and found a print dress and other articules wrapped up in it, it was covered in blood. He produced this evidence before the court. Her fellow servants, identified the dress as belonging to Martha Busby, which was worn by her on Monday.

At this point the deputy coroner adjourned the inquest.

Adjourned Inquest – Tuesday 13th June

The deputy coroner, opened the adjourned inquest by saying; “Before we proceed to take any steps in this matter, I wish to read to you a paragraph which I think is most improper and un-fair. It was reported in the Birmingham Daily Post on Monday”.

It reads – “Child Murder at Kenilworth- A shocking case of child murder has occured at Kenilworth. A domestic servant strangled a child to which she had given birth and secreted the body into an outhouse. The woman left her situation the following day for her home at Culworth, a village near Northampton, where she was apprehended by Superintendent Lapworth of Warwick police. She was removed to Kenilworth”.

Dr. Wynter said that, as far as this inquiry is concerned, this is not a court in which there is a charge against anybody at all. There is no one before you as a prisioner, and all that you are here for is to inquire into the cause of the death of the child. The article alludes to a certain person who has been taken into custody, with whom you, at present, have nothing to do with. It is a statement which is very wrong and improper to be in public print. I hope this will never happen again in the future.

Solicitor, Mr. Homer of Coventry observed the inquest on behalf of Martha Busby.

The evidence from the previous inquest was read out and additional evidence was given.

Post-Mortem Results

The post-mortem was carried out by Dr. Wynter, assisted by Dr. Clarke. The child had a ligature around its neck, and the mouth had been stuffed full of leaves as far as the windpipe. The umbilical cord had not been tied as it should have been, it was torn. Abrasions on the mouth indicated that force had been used. The evidence shows that the child had breathed, and there was extravasation of blood on the brain. If the child had not breathed, the bursting of the blood vessels under the scalp, could not have taken place.

Witness – Mary Heden

Mary Ann Heden, cook, in the employ of Mr. Twistleton, stated she last saw Busby wearing the print dress on Saturday week. She confirmed that Busby left on 5th June saying she was going home to Culworth, to care for her dying mother. Busby had lived at Woodlands for more that six years and was considered a respectable and hard working person. On 4th June Busby complained to her about feeling unwell. Before she left, witness said to her; “Martha I hope you will not come back again until you are confined”. Busby replied “What?”. Witness repeated her statement. Witness then told housemaid Emma Perkins what she had said to Busby, and later on entering the kitchen, Perkins said to her; “Now Martha, you are openly accused of what I have accused you of before, have I not accused you before?”. Busby replied, “yes, you have”. Witness then told Busby that she was near her ‘confinement’. Busby replied, “I just ain’t, I will go home and get Dr. Douglas to come to Mr. Twistleton and let you see I ain’t”. Busby continued; “I have got diarroea, it was the gooseberry pie that you gave me yesterday”. Witness said that Busby looked very pale, and sat in the kitchen for two hours and often complained of neulalgia. She was not right in her mind, and was so ‘flighty’, also doing strange things and seemed bewildered.

The deputy-coroner asked Mr. Homer if he wanted his client to be present in the room. He replied saying that he did not want her here, due to her bad health. The inquest was adjourned until Monday, and Superintendent Lapworth said that Busby would be detained in custody.

The Hon. and Rev. Charles Samuel Twistleton (1806-1890)

Busby Sent to the Assizes

Martha Busby was sent for trial on the 2nd August ² at Warwick Assizes on charges of;

‘Having at Kenilworth on the 5th June 1876 been then and there delivered of a child, feloniously, wilfully, of her malice afore-thought, killed and murdered the said child”

There were two prosecuting lawyers: Mr. Coleman and Mr. Griffith. But only one for the defence, Mr. Buszard.

All the witnesses from the previous inquests were called upon to give evidence. It must be understood that with all the evidence provided and the gravity of the charges, it didn’t look good for Busby. Conviction of murder was a strong possibility. But as the trial progressed, things began to change.

Witness – Dr. Bourne

Thomas Skippington Bourne, surgeon of Kenilworth, told the court that he had visited the prisioner on February 24th, at the Woodlands. She was complaining of neuralgia, and also suffering from disorder of the digestive organs. He told the court that he had only examined her medically not physically and came to the conclusion that her symptoms were due to either pregnancy or a digestive disorder.

He said he saw the body of a newly-born child at the house of Mr. Twistleton on the 9th June. The mouth was crammed full of leaves. All around the mouth there was great discolouration, arising from extravasation of blood. There was a ligature tied very tightly around the neck but there was no discolourastion above or below the ligature. Witness was cross-examined by Mr. Buszard, Dr. Bourne said that in his opinion, the child was dead before the ligature was tied. So it could not have been the cause of death.

Witness – Dr. Wynter

Dr. Daniel Wynter, who conducted the post-mortem, with the assistance of Dr. Clarke, came to a different conclusion. He said, the lungs were a bright pink colour and floated in water. There was extreme congestion of the venus system of the brain, that would show, in his opinion, that there had been circulation for a few minutes. He was certainly of the opinion the child had breathed. He also believed death would have resulted from stuffing the mouth with leaves or from the ligature, but he was not in a position to say if the child had a seperate existence. He did not agree with Mr. Bourne, that the ligaure had nothing to do with the death. The flesh along the line of the ligature was livid. He said that the child had lived for a minute or a minute and a half.

Disagreement of Experts

With the medical experts being unable to agree on the cause of death, or indeed, if the infant had ever ‘lived’, the judge said that he would not proceed with murder or man-slaughter charges. Prosecution lawyer, Mr. Coleman recommended the prisioner be shown mercy, due to her previous good character, up until this affair.

The prisoner, on the advise of her counsel, consented to the minor count of ‘consealment of birth’, which his Lordship directed the jury to return.

The Sentence

The Judge in passing sentence, said technically the prisioner had escaped the charge of murder, but he could not think this was a case he could view with leniency. It was a very bad case – as bad a case he had ever tried. When the prisioner tied the string round the neck of her child, and crammed its mouth full of leaves, it was with the object of preventing it coming to maturity. Whether the act was technically murder or not, was immaterial. The sentence he was bound to pass upon her was that she be imprisioned, and kept to hard labour for 20 calender months.

The trial lasted for three and a half hours.

Twistleton’s Second Marriage

Photo courtesy of the Warwickshire County Records Office Ref. PH 652/1/111 Img 7091

The Woodlands and The Will

In its prime, the Woodlands employed at least seven members of staff, including a butler, lady’s maid, housekeeper, housemaid, coachman, gardener and a groom.

Charles Twistleton died on the 13th September 1890, aged 84 ⁴, and was buried with his first wife Caroline at Ashow. In his Will, he left a personal estate of over £77,000, equivalent to more than £6 million today ⁵. Dorothea continued to live at the Woodlands for a period of time, but eventually left Kenilworth. She died in 1933, at Chippenham, aged 81. It appears she never re-married.

Busby Moves On

After her release from Warwick Gaol, Martha decided to make a fresh start and moved away from the midlands and settled in Devon. In the 1881 census, she is recorded as a domestic servant for a school mistress, in the Tormoham district of Torquay. The address where she was living and working was ironically called ‘Woodland Grove’. A name that must have sent a shiver down her spine.

By 1891, things were looking up for her, as she was now married to a George Endacott, who was a stonemason by trade, the family were living in Paignton. There were three children with the surname of Endacott on the census, aged between 10 and 15, so it doesn’t look likely that any of these were Martha’s children, as they were married in 1883. So, it would seem they were probably her husband’s children from his previous marriage.

Martha died in the first quarter of 1916, at Totnes, Paignton, aged 66. ⁶ Her husband had died four years earlier.

References

1. Recorded on various census records ↩︎
2. UK, Calender of Prisioners, 1868-1929. ↩︎
3. Church of England, Marriages and Banns 1754-1900. ↩︎
4. Warwickshire, England, Church of England Burial Records, 1813-1910 ↩︎
5. Currency Converter – National Archives ↩︎
6. England and Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007. ↩︎

Body In The Brook

Caleb Carter lived in a cottage along Chase Lane, and was last seen alive on the evening of Saturday the 27th by his younger brother Alfred, who had come over from Birmingham to spend the afternoon with him. They eventually parted company at just before 8.30, as it would be getting dark soon and Alfred needed to be on his way home.

At about the same time, Caleb’s 17-year-old fiancé Mabel Hancox and her mother Ellen, had called in at his cottage to drop off some caps and socks which they had bought for him in Kenilworth. With him not being there, they thought nothing strange about that, expecting him to be out on the land somewhere with his brother or even waiting for them at their home, Warriors Lodge Farm, which was only about a quarter-of-a-mile from the cottage.

But as the evening wore-on, the Hancox family, and especially Mabel, had become increasing worried by his absence. They stayed-up late into the evening in the hope that he would eventually turn-up, but he never did.

Caleb’s Early Life

Caleb was born into the farming community of Gospel Oak, Snitterfield, on the outskirts of Stratford-Upon-Avon in 1875, to parents Alfred and Eliza. But when he was around four years-old, tragedy struck the family when his mother sadly passed away. But his father soon re-married, and so for most of his young life Caleb was brought up by his step-mother, Ellen. He had three other siblings, two sisters, Lily and Agnes and brother, Alfred. By his mid-teens, just like his father, he was working on the land. In the 1891 census, he was recorded as a ploughboy.

Caleb’s Arrival in Kenilworth

It’s believed that Caleb came to Kenilworth around the beginning of 1903. He got the position as gamekeeper for Mr. James Booth, who held the tenancy of Chase Woods. He was a well-known gentleman and Justice of the Peace for Warwickshire who lived just a few miles away in his grand residence of Rowington Hall, a far cry from Caleb’s cottage along Chase Lane. Mr Booth’s landlord, was Edward Hyde Villiers, Earl of Clarendon, who at the time was a prominent member of the House of Lords and held the position of Lord Chamberlin of the Household.

Where is Caleb?

By Sunday, 28th June, the Hancox family were still worried about Caleb’s continued absence, but they knew he was going over to visit his parents at Gospel Oak and said he would be back in the afternoon, so at this stage, they weren’t too alarmed. But they still couldn’t understand why he never called at the farm last evening. It was suggested that he may have gone over to Birmingham with his brother and forgotten all about their arrangements.  It was very strange and out of character for such a reliable person.

By late afternoon, Mabel was getting extremely anxious and she again called at his cottage, but he was still nowhere to be seen.  She walked across the fields on a couple of occasions in the direction of Honiley Church just on the off-chance that she might meet him on his return home, but she couldn’t find him. By night-fall the Hancox family didn’t know what to think, Caleb was still missing.

Search Begins

By mid-day on Monday, Caleb was still missing. So the Hancox family began searching the woods and land, inch-by-inch. It was decided to send a telegram to his brother informing him of the crisis. He eventually arrived in the afternoon at about 3 o’clock. He then mentioned that he had heard a gunshot soon after they had parted company, but at the time he thought nothing of it. Hearing shots in this rural area was commonplace, indeed, they had heard shots only a few minutes earlier whilst walking across the fields.

The Hancox family were now seriously worried, and not long after Alfred’s arrival, it was Mrs Hancox who came across Caleb’s body, lying in a shallow brook. It was the boundary of the Booth and Willies shooting territory. Alfred was called over and he went into the water to have a closer look, their worst fears had come true, Caleb was dead. Alfred went straight to Kenilworth and informed the police. He arrived back at the scene with Inspector Parkinson and some constables, and they began to process the scene.

Caleb’s Death Goes ‘Viral’

Caleb’s murder became headline news, and was reported in the press all over the country, what increased the interest, no doubt, was the landowner being a Lord of the Realm. The Penny Illustrated Paper, a London based publication, even sent a photographer to the murder-site. Two photos appeared in their 11th July edition, one showing the brook where the body was found and the other of four members of the Hancox family, lined-up outside the farmhouse. In the days following the crime many hundreds of people descended upon the site to ‘have a look’. The murder had taken place within yards of a public footpath, so no one could stop them coming. But in reality, there was nothing for them to see.

Inquest, Warriors Lodge Farm, Chase Lane, 30th June

The Coroner

The grandly named, Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, Coroner for Mid-Warwickshire and Kenilworth resident, presided over the inquest. He was also the clerk of the Kenilworth Urban District Council. John Knight was the chosen foreman.

Evidence of Brother

Alfred Carter who by trade, was a journeyman blacksmith, presently at Sparkbrook, attended as a witness. He confirmed the body was that of his brother and he was 28 years-old¹. He had cycled to Kenilworth that day, and met deceased at Warriors Lodge. They then went to his cottage where they had some tea together. Witness rode to Kenilworth Station to collect a bicycle that belonged to himself which he was going to lend to his brother, if they couldn’t fix his machine that day. He had put it on the train at Birmingham before he cycled to Kenilworth. Witness stated he arrived back from the station at about 6pm.

They had not been talking about shooting or poachers during the day but deceased had previously mentioned he had no problems in that direction. On the evening the deceased had no walking stick or gun with him. Alfred stated that he had been on friendly terms with his brother. After saying goodnight at 8.20pm near Hazel Hill Wood, he was three or four fields away from the highway leading from the Warwick to Birmingham. He had cycled about 50 yards when he heard a gunshot which seemed to come from the direction of where his body was eventually found. They had not seen anyone with a gun, although they had heard shots earlier, but took no notice of it.

Evidence of Ellen Hancox

Ellen Hancox, the wife of Stephen Hancox, a shepherd of Warriors Lodge Farm, was the next to give evidence. She said that the deceased had been courting her daughter for many months and they were to wed in September. Witness and her daughter had called at his cottage early on Saturday evening but he wasn’t there. They expected him at the farm later, by 11 o’clock, he still hadn’t called. She added, that the deceased had said he was going to his parents home at Gospel Oak on Sunday morning, and would be back in the afternoon. When he did not return, they felt extremely anxious. So, on Monday morning, when they found the cottage as they had left it, they commenced a search of the woods and surrounding area. Alfred joined them in the afternoon but it was the witness who found the body lying in the brook.

Sovereigns and Gold Watch Found on Body

Medical Evidence

Dr William Growse, medical examiner, stated that on examining the body he had found 40 to 50 shot marks in the nape of the neck, and the back of the scalp. There was also blood in the left ear. He estimated that the deceased had been dead for approximately 30 hours. In conjunction with Dr Tweedy they had performed a postmortem, and extracted a number of shots, one of which had penetrated the brain. There were extensive lacerations to the brain, and the skull was splintered and fractured. Death was probably instantaneous. Judging from the direction of the shots, the gun had been fired in a downwards direction. The wound could not have been self-inflicted, his theory was that he fell where he was shot. Although, he may have taken a few steps before he fell.

At this stage the coroner proposed to adjourn the inquest until 10th July, at the council house in Kenilworth. It was hoped that in the meantime the police could make further inquiries, that would enable the jury to bring in a satisfactory verdict. The jury was then bound over to re-appeared at the appointed time.

Reward Offered by Police

In the days following the inquest, the police offered a £20 reward to anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of the person responsible for the crime. Even though £20 back then was a lot of money, no one ever came forward.

Adjourned Inquest,Council House,Upper Rosemary Hill,10th July

In a crowded council house, the jury met at the appointed time of 10.30 am, but one juror, Mr. Oldfield was five minutes late, and was gently rebuked by the coroner. He reminded the court that he had adjourned the first inquest to give the police more time to make further inquiries. It was also noted that the witnesses present were not examined closely enough as might have been the case, all were re-called so that the jury could examine them further.

Brother Cross-Examined

Alfred Carter, the deceased’s brother, was the first witness called. The evidence he provided in the first inquest was read out. The coroner questioned him regarding the time he got back from Kenilworth Station, as he now stated that he could not be sure as to within a quarter of an hour. “Was it 6 o’clock, before or after?”, asked the Coroner. “I could not say, It might have been a quarter past or ten minutes to”, replied the witness. He added that he and his brother had tea of bread and butter with lettuce, which they got from the farm. He could not say what other food was in the cottage or what his brother may have eaten earlier in the day.

Witness also stated that Caleb and his fiancé Mabel, seemed very friendly, but he did not talk about any appointment with her that evening. In the afternoon Caleb had his shotgun with him but he took it back to the cottage and left it there. He loaded it saying that he wanted to shoot a rabbit for someone at the farm. Later, he went into the wood and shot a rabbit and bought it back home. When he left his brother, he said the time 8.20pm, but witness had no means of saying whether this was correct. When he had cycled about 50 yards after leaving the deceased, he heard a shot but paid little attention to it. Alfred told the court that he arrived back home in Birmingham at about 9.20pm.

Ellen Hancock Recalled

Ellen Hancock was called before the court and her previous evidence read over. She added that her daughter was distressed when Caleb did not come to the farm on the Saturday night as arranged, and said “How strange that he does not come”. They had both called at his cottage about 8.30/9 o’clock and left some caps and socks which they had bought for him. They found his dog outside, so they put it inside. When they left the cottage, they expected to find him at Warriors Lodge, but he wasn’t there. When they found his body Alfred was called over and he said; “Oh dear, what am I to do now?” Witness replied; “You must go to Kenilworth at once and get the police”. Foreman, John Knight, asked about her daughter’s relationship with the deceased. She replied that she has never been engaged to anyone before, Caleb was her first sweetheart. She also stated that as far as she knew, the deceased had not been on un-friendly terms with anybody.

Miss Hancox’s Evidence

Mabel Blanche Hancox the daughter of the previous witness, said she last saw deceased, to whom she was engaged, at his cottage about 6 o’clock on the evening in question. At the time she was going into Kenilworth with her mother. She corroborated her mother’s evidence concerning the time they returned from Kenilworth and the articles they placed in his cottage. As the deceased was not there they expected him to be at Warriors Lodge. However, not seeing him there, she concluded he had gone to his family’s home at Gospel Oak. Indeed, he had told her that he was going there the following day (Sunday), and expected him back by 3 o’clock.

She walked in the direction of Honiley Church in the hope of meeting him on his return, but with no luck. She went again in the evening, and then to his cottage, she looked through the window, and she could see the bicycles where still in the same position, nothing had been moved.

On Monday morning, the cottage was searched again, but nothing had changed, so her father decided to telegraph his brother telling him to come over. He arrived at about 3 o’clock and told us where he had left Caleb, adding; “After he left me, I heard a shot fired”. Witness’s mother said; “Oh dear, we shall not expect to find the dear fellow alive now”. Witness’s mother saw the body first. They screamed out to deceased’s brother, who was searching in another field, so he came over to the brook.

Police Inquires

Inspector William Parkinson, said he had carefully examined the ground near the spot where the deceased’s head was, and a nearby stone seemed to have the appearance of being stuck by lead shot. This was near the point where a spring flowed into the brook. His opinion was that the shot had been fired from the direction of Featherston’s Grove wood. He found no spent cartridges on the ground nor could he see any footprints. By carefully examining the leaves which were not marked by shot holes, he found the only place from which the shot that struck the stone could have been fired from. Blood had not run down his back as would have been the case if he had been carried or dragged to the brook. It was clear he was shot where he lay.

The Inspector went to the deceased’s cottage, and found his 12-bore shotgun, both barrels were dirty due to a recent discharge. The cartridges had been removed. He also found a half-empty box of No 5 shot cartridges. His teeth were closed and the back of his throat and pallete were clear of any mud. The coroner asked, if he had endeavoured to find out who had the right to be in the locality? I have, replied the inspector; And is it not a fact that everybody you can ascertain had a right to be there and others that had not, been interviewed? Yes, he replied. And those persons, on behalf of the police, you propose to be put them forward as witnesses at this inquest? Yes, said the Inspector.

Medical Evidence

Dr Growse said with reasonable probability, the Inspector’s theory was correct. The shot looks to have been fired from the direction of the wood, whilst the deceased was bending down drinking from the spring. The lungs were normal with no water present. The stomach contained a considerable amount of un-digested food, which had the appearance of meat and vegetables. However, there was no indication of lettuce. No excess water or the smell of alcohol, or beer was present. The appearance of the contents of the stomach would suggest that he had eaten about three hours before death.

At the first inquest, Dr Growse indicated that the deceased had been dead for approximately 30 hours, but he would now like to amend that to 40 hours. He arrived at this conclusion due to the rigor mortis, which had started to pass-off by 6 o’clock on the evening of the 29th, but by the following day, it had gone completely. There was no other marks of violence on the body apart from an abrasion on the nose, which may have been caused when he fell.

New Witness Testimony

Witness Joseph Smith, labourer of Grove Cottage, Honiley, in the employ of Mr Eykyn, said he had only seen the deceased twice since he came to Kenilworth. The last time was about two months ago. On the evening of 27th, he was not within half-a-mile of where the body was found, and saw nobody else in the vicinity. He went into town with John Pearson to buy some groceries and returned about 8 o’clock. When they reached the footpath which runs along the bottom of Chase Woods, witness turned left at the dry pit towards his home.

Witness was not carrying a gun nor did he own one. But Pearson was carrying his shotgun, and used it often as he had shooting permission on Mr Horne’s farm. He promised to shoot a rabbit for the witness that evening. Pearson asked him to meet him later at the gate leading from Mr Horne’s field into Mr Eykyn’s property. As witness got near his home, he met Mrs Parkin, a resident of Grove Farm, she remarked that he was home early and it was 9 o’clock. They talked for a few minutes then witness went to meet Pearson at the gate, the time would have been 9.20 to 9.30pm. But he was not there, so he ‘whistled’ to find out if Pearson was close-by, and indeed he was, he ‘whistled’ back from the direction of Featherstons Grove. Pearson did not have his gun or a rabbit with him, but said he had left them at another gate not far away. Witness had misunderstood Pearson at which gate to meet him. The rabbit which Pearson had shot was still warm. The following day, Pearson gave the witness another rabbit. Witness paid Pearson 6d for the two.

Pearson’s Testimony

Witness John Pearson, a cowman, in the employ of John Horne of Honiley, said he saw the deceased occasionally and knew he was a gamekeeper. He had last seen the deceased about six weeks or two months ago. On the Saturday night in question, he was with Smith at the Queen & Castle Hotel. Witness could not say exactly what time they started walking home, as neither of them had a watch, but it was around 8 o’clock.

He corroborated the evidence given by Smith as to the way they went home and said he saw no one from the time he parted company with Smith and later when he saw him again. After Smith left, he heard two gunshots when he was near the dry pit, at the bottom of Chase Woods.

He was going straight home and the shots seem to come from the other end of Chase Woods. He took no notice of the shots, as they heard gun reports around here all the time. But he saw no one as he walked away. He went and shot a rabbit in Mr Horne’s field called Big Hill Close, adjoining Featherstons Grove, and then went to meet Smith to give him the rabbit. Witness was out shooting early on Sunday morning and shot another rabbit, which he gave to Smith later in the day. Smith had paid for the rabbits on Saturday night and witness had two pints with the money.

Unavailable Witness

Whilst ‘topping’ a hay-rick for Mr Eykyn at Pleasance farm, labourer, William Parkyn had a seizure, and fell heavily onto the ground. Dr Growse attended him, and found he was having intermittent fits. On the day of the adjourned inquest, he was far too ill to attend.

Mr Parkyn was apparently going to be an important witness, but what information he had, we will never know. However, he must have given the police some sort of statement to be told to attend the inquest.

The Verdict

After the Coroner had summed up at length, he asked the jury if they wanted to adjourn the inquiry so that further evidence could be found. But as Superintendent Ravenhall could offer no hope of producing any additional evidence of importance, the Jury decided to retire for deliberation. When they returned, foreman, John Knight, announced an open verdict; ‘That the deceased had met his death by a gunshot wound by a person unknown’.

The inquest concluded at 5 o’clock, having lasted for five-and-a-half hours.

Caleb’s Final Resting Place

Caleb’s body remained at his cottage, to which it was first removed, until Wednesday 1st July. The coffin was of polished elm, with sombre black fittings. On the name-plate was the inscription: ‘Caleb Carter, Died 27th June, 1903’. On the head and foot plates read: ‘The spirit shall return unto God who gave it’ and ‘Thy will be done’. It was then conveyed to St Michael’s Church at Wilmcote Village, near Stratford-Upon-Avon. He was laid to rest the following afternoon (2nd July) ², next to his birth mother, Eliza. The officiating minister was the Rev. E. T. H. Allan, pastor of the Stratford-Upon-Avon Congregational Chapel.

Unfortunately, there are no headstones or plot numbers of Caleb or his mother, (they may well have had wooden crosses back then). Indeed, the church have no known surviving records or information that Caleb or his birth mother, were ever buried there.

Hancox Family Move On – But More Tragedy

Following Caleb’s death, the Hancox family eventually moved away from Kenilworth. In the 1911 census, they had settled into the farming community of Wootton Wawen. By this time, Mabel had found love again, marrying Alfred Morby in 1908, an engineer/fitter from Leamington Spa.

But sadly, in the early part of 1926, the Morby household went through a double tragedy. On 7th March, their 17 year-old daughter Marjorie, died of tuberculosis ³, and the following day, Mabel also died from the same disease, she was just 40 years of age ⁴. Alfred was present at both their deaths. Marjorie was exactly the same age that Mabel was, when she had lost Caleb, 23 years before.

References

1. According to the 1875 England & Wales Birth Index, Caleb was born in the 3rdQ (Jul-Aug-Sept). So he may have been 27 years-old at the time of his death. However, his death certificate records his age as 28, and his brother also gave his age as 28 at the inquest. ↩︎
2. Birmingham Daily Gazette July 2nd 1903. ↩︎
3. Marjorie Morby death certificate ↩︎
4. Mabel Morby death certificate ↩︎

Mother and Baby Tragedy

On Thursday 16th September 1909, Charles Hobbins of Crackley Cottages, left for work as usual at 6am to start his shift at the oil-cake mill at Mill End. He returned home 12 hours later to find his wife Elizabeth and baby daughter, Kathleen Maria, were missing. His other children, three boys, who were playing outside, didn’t know of their whereabouts.

The house was shut up and It appeared they hadn’t been seen since lunchtime, and the key was in its usual place. He came to the conclusion that his wife had taken the baby to visit friends in Coventry. But when she did not come home by the late carrier, he became very concerned, and his anxiety naturally increased as the night wore on. Where could they be?

Early next morning, with the help of neighbour Arthur Hunt, they went to search for them. They eventually found their bodies submerged in a gravel pit at Knowle Hill Farm, the baby was found underneath her mother. Mrs Hobbins was 41 years-old, Kathleen was only 11 months.

The police were immediately informed, and under the supervision of Inspector William Parkinson the bodies were recovered and taken to the police mortuary to await the inquest.

One possible route that Mrs Hobbins could have taken that day was to walk up Crackley Hill, left into Common Lane, at the bottom a right-turn into Dalehouse Lane, then left up Knowle Hill. She would then have taken a left turn towards the gravel pit. But no one for certain knows which route she took. However, one witness did say she saw her walking in the direction of the Common.

The Inquest

The inquest took place on 18th September at the Council House in Upper Rosemary Hill, presiding was Mr J. J. Willington-Wilmshurst, Coroner for Mid-Warwickshire.

Witness Charles Hobbins

Mr. Hobbins, 38, who was sobbing pitifully, said he had been married to Elizabeth since 1896. He told the court she had been troubled with her nerves for years, and also complained about head pains. The coroner enquired if she had anything worrying her, he replied, saying that she seemed to think she was dirty and neglecting the children, and was not cleaning the house. But everything was fine as far as he was concerned. The coroner further enquired if his wife ever said anything about taking her own life? Mr. Hobbins stated that she sometimes said she wished she was dead, but he didn’t take her seriously. His wife was fond of children and they lived happily together.

Witness Mrs Neale

Mrs Neale, neighbour of deceased, told the inquest that she last saw her at about 1.30 that day, she seemed a little strange, and was complaining about pains in her head. She saw Mrs Hobbins and the baby walk in the direction of the Common. Mrs Neale said that the deceased kept the house very clean and must have been a delusion if she thought she neglected the house.

Witness Arthur Hunt

Arthur Hunt, also of Crackley Cottages, spoke to the court regarding accompanying Mr. Hobbins on the search for his wife and child. He said it was in the direction of the pit that the deceased and her husband used to take walks, which was about half-a-mile away. Upon visiting this piece of water, they saw a woman’s hat floating on the surface and directly underneath they could see the outline of a body, which proved to be that of Mrs Hobbins and her baby. The water was shallow, and a steep bank down to it. He did not think it was possible for anyone to fall into the water and get to where they found the bodies, for if anyone rolled down the bank accidentally, he or she would stop in very shallow water. There was a considerable amount of mud in the pit, but it might be possible for someone to fall in during darkness.

Police Evidence

Inspector Parkinson said that the bodies were three or four feet from the edge of the water, and Mrs Hobbins was lying on her face. The child was clasped tightly to her breast, and both were fully dressed. No letter or note was found, and the bodies were in 2′ 6″ of water. There was no evidence of slipping on the banks of the pit. During his enquires, he could not find any person who had seen Mrs Hobbins since Mrs Neale had spoken to her early in the afternoon.

Medical Evidence

Dr. Wilmott spoke about the post-mortem examinations on the bodies. He said the only injuries he could find were three small bruises on Mrs Hobbins legs. In his opinion, both died due to drowning.

The Verdict

In summing up to the jury, the coroner said, that if they thought that the woman committed suicide, then they must also bring a verdict against her of ‘Wilful Murder’ in respect of the child. On the other hand, the evidence shows that she might have tumbled into the pit, with the child, whilst wandering in the dark, in a ‘frenzied’ state, owing to her suffering.

The Jury returned a verdict in both cases of ‘Found Drowned‘.

More Tragedy for the Family – 1929

Charles Hobbins and his three sons eventually moved away from Crackley Cottages, and they found a house in Henry Street – But more tragedy was to follow. By 1929, Charles had re-married but in October of that year, he committed suicide by cutting his throat.

At an inquest held at Kenilworth Police Station on 22nd October, witness, Mrs Elizabeth Falconbridge, sister of the deceased, said her brother had also suffered a nervous breakdown over the last 20 weeks. He complained about pains in his head, he was also upset that he could not get his job back with the Kenilworth Urban District Council. His second wife was presently very ill, so was unable to attend the inquest. (she lived until 1952)

A lodger at the house, said he was cleaning his motor-cycle when Hobbins came running out of the house with blood streaming from his throat. The witness went to fetch Dr. Day, but on their return, they found Hobbins lying dead in the scullery. He was 58.

The jury returned a verdict of ‘Suicide while of unsound mind’.

Double Tragedy of Kenilworth Men

On the evening of Thursday 29th October 1891, John Reuben Rainbow, turned up ‘out of the blue’ at his cousin’s house at Clayfield (now the Whitemoor area) and offered to take him for a glass of beer. His cousin, 29 year-old George Alfred Brewer duly accepted his offer. But he felt it was rather strange that he had come over on such a cold winter’s night, just for a drink, especially as they hadn’t seen each other for months. They decided to go out for about an hour.

Rainbow, a farmer, originally born in Kenilworth had travelled all the way from his farm at Wappenbury on a pony and trap. But within minutes of their departure, a groaning was heard outside the front door of the Brewer’s house and when his father opened the door, his son fell into his arms. He had been shot by Reuben (as he was known) and he had rode off towards home. His father immediately went to get Dr. Clarke and the police. The shooting occured at the end of Leyes Lane at the junction near to the ‘Elmdene’ estate. (the junction of Windy Arbour/Park Hill).

Reuben was reported to have had his hand in his pocket feeling for something. He produced a revolver and placed it against George’s side and pulled the trigger. Reuben only fired the one shot, probably thinking one was enough to kill him. But somehow, George managed to jump off the trap and make his way home.

After receiving the report of the shooting, the police were quickly in pursuit of the suspect. At Stoneleigh the officer heard that a trap had been seen driving through the village at speed. On arrival at Weston-under-Wetherley he came across an empty trap at the side of the road. Soon after, while entering Wappenbury another police officer arrived and they were approached by the suspects brother, William Rainbow. He told them that Reuben had shot himself.

Meanwhile back at Kenilworth, despite removing the bullet, Dr Clarke could not save Brewer. He died the following afternoon (30th October) and was still conscious right up until a few minutes before his death. He was a Catholic, and after hearing of the tragedy the Right Rev. Monseigneur Souter attended him, and was present at the time of his death.

Inquest of John Reuben Rainbow

The inquest took place on Saturday 31st October at the Bull Inn, Weston-under-Wetherley over the death of Mr Rainbow. Presiding, was Coroner of Mid-Warwickshire, Dr Wynter. The foreman of the jury was Mr William Coles.

Evidence of Joseph Rainbow

First witness was Joesph Rainbow, father of the deceased. He told the court that his son was 35 year-old and had been strange over the last week or two, but he did not take much notice about it. Deceased did not seem to trouble about anything or how things went. Sometimes he would work and others times he wouldn’t. Infact, he would seem quite reckless at times. On Wednesday he drove to Rugby, put up the trap there and went on the train to attend Newmarket races. He returned late in the evening and got into the house by means of a latch-key.

Next morning (30th October), witness tried to induce him to get up and assist on the farm as he was short of labourers but he refused to do so and remained in bed until mid-day. When he finally came down the deceased got out a number of bills and letters. He told his mother that ‘He had done with it’. He handed some bills and a milk contract to his sister and said; ‘It is the last time’. He remained in the house for sometime and put a ticket on a churn in which milk was to be sent to London. Witness saw him several times but did not notice anything perculiar in his manner. Deceased drove away from the house at about six o’clock and earlier had told one of the men on the farm he was going to Kenilworth. He also told his mother, who tried to pursuade him from doing so, but he said he needed to go and see his cousin. Deceased was not on friendly terms with his cousin, infact they had a quarrel three or four months ago and witness heard they had fought. He did not know what the quarrel was about but Brewer had said something disrespectful about the deceased. Witness had heard that his son had threatened ‘to do’ for Brewer.

Deceased returned home at about 9 o’clock and came into the sitting room and removed his boots. Then, without saying a word he went upstairs to his bedroom as if he intended to retire for the night. Soon after, a farm worker came to the door and said that the pony and trap was missing. Mrs Rainbow went to the foot of the stairs and called to deceased but suddenly a gunshot was heard, followed by a fall. They rushed upstairs and found the bedroom door locked. They burst it open and discovered deceased lying on the floor bleeding from the head. He moved twice, then died. The coronor asked witness, if he knew of any reason why he should have said he would ‘do for’ Brewer?, witness replied, no I dont. But Brewer had put a bit of scandal about disrespecting him but I do not know of anything else. In reply to the jurors, he said that his son was always reserved but he hadn’t noticed anything strange about him until the last few days.

Evidence of William Rainbow

In reply to a question from the foreman, witness said Reuben had gone about his work but seemed rather strange. A juror asked, Did you know what he went to Brewer’s for? Witness replied; No, that is where the mystery is.

Evidence of Police

Witness, Sergeant Allcott of Kenilworth Police stated that on receiving information from Brewer that Rainbow had shot him, he started off in a cab in pursuit of the deceased. At Stoneleigh he heard that a man had driven through the village at a rapid-rate about half-a-hour before. About a quarter of a mile from Weston he found an ownerless pony and trap tethered up to a gate which he thought was probably Rainbow’s. A search of the the ditches and adjoining fields could not locate Rainbow. On arriving at Wappenbury witness procured the assistance of P. C. Greaves. When they got within 200 yards of the deceased house, they came across William Rainbow, deceased’s brother, who was on his way to alert the police, he told them his brother had shot himself. When witness went into the bedroom he saw Rainbow lying on the floor dead and bleeding profusely from a bullet wound near the right temple. In the pockets of an overcoat on the bed he found a total of 22 bullets. The revolver was a new one and the bullet extracted from Brewer corresponded to those found in the overcoat.

The Verdict

With the overwelming evidence of the case, the jury could only come to one conclusion. They returned a verdict that Rainbow committed suicide while ‘temporarily insane’.

Inquest of George Alfred Brewer

The Inquest of George Brewer took place on Monday 2nd November at the Abbey Hotel in Kenilworth. Presiding was Coroner Dr. Wynter. The jury viewed the body prior to the inquest which lay at the Brewer’s house at Clayfield. The foreman of the jury was Mr. Henry Street.

Evidence of John Brewer

First witness was John Brewer, widower and father of deceased. He confirmed his son was 29 years-old and resided with him. Last Thursday I was at home with him in the evening when at about 7.30, my nephew Rainbow from Wappenbury, came in. He shook hands with both of us and we talked in a friendly way. He seemed sober. After we talked for about 20 minutes or so, he requested George go out for a hour to have a drink. My other two son’s, John and Thomas are licensee’s and Rainbow said he didn’t care where they went for a drink. George then went out with Rainbow who shook my hand and wished me, ‘good-bye’. My son said he should not be long and asked me to sit-up for him.

Minutes later I heard someone groaning outside and when I opened the door, my son fell into my arms. He said, Dad, I am shot. I asked him who had shot him, he replied, Reuben. Where is he now?, he is now galloping towards home, said George. I went to the premises of my other son John as soon as possible and sent for Dr. Clarke. George said the shooting took place at the end of Leyes Lane but did not say that they had any words. My son said that he thought Reuben was feeling for his pipe but instead he pulled out a revolver and held it against my side and let it off. My son was conscious right up until a few minutes of his death.

Foreman Henry Street asked if his son ever had any a quarrel with Rainbow. Yes, replied witness, about 12 months ago. I was out at the time and when I came back I was told they had had a quarrel. But, they were ‘in beer’. Rainbow had been to my house several times since the quarrel.

The Coroner asked witness If his son had any betting transactions with Rainbow? None whatever, he replied. Rainbow was not a passionate man, and I have never heard him express any revengeful feeling towards my son. I have never heard that my son was ever in fear of Rainbow.

Evidence of Sophia Walker

Sophia Walker, a single woman, niece of John Brewer, lived near to the Brewer’s house and was present there on the Thursday evening when Rainbow came. She saw them both get into the trap to go for a drink. She said, “don’t be long” and Rainbow replied, “we shan’t be”. A few minutes afterwards she heard that Brewer had been shot. The witness then told the court that she and her father went with a lantern to the end of Leyes Lane and witness picked up what she believed to be Rainbow’s hat and mackintosh which were lying in the horse road.

Medical Evidence of Dr Clarke

Dr. J. Clarke, surgeon, practising in Kenilworth said he was sent to the Brewer’s house at about 8 o’clock on Thursday evening after being informed a man had been shot. He was found to be suffering from shock to the nervous system but there had not been a great amount of hemorrhage. Witness examined Brewer and found he had been shot over the tenth rib of the right hand side but he could not find the bullet. Brewer complained about pain in the region of his stomach. Witness visited Brewer again at 10 o’clock and his symptoms were increasing. At 7.30 the next morning, Brewer said he could feel something on the left hand side. On examination witness found a swelling about the size of a pea, which turned out to be the bullet. He extracted it which was in his back between the rib and hip. Inflammation of the bowels had set in. Dr. Clarke stayed with him until his death at 3.55pm, which was due to Peritonitis. He believed the bullet had passed through the stomach and intestines.

Evidence of Police

Sergeant Allcot, having described the shooting of Brewer and the flight and pursuit of Rainbow, he produced the jacket which Brewer had been wearing at the time of the murder. The coat was considerably scorched and burnt around the bullet hole on the right-hand side, thus conclusively proving that the revolver must have been held quite close to the body of the murdered man. Witness had found out that Rainbow went to Birmingham a few weeks ago and he probably bought the gun there. Rainbow’s parents had no knowledge of the murder when he came home on the night in question.

Depositions of George Brewer

The Coroner then read out the depositions of the murdered man, which were taken by Mr. Stanger-Leathes, JP, as follow;

“I, George Alfred Brewer of Kenilworth, do solemnly and sincerley declare being in fear of immediate death, that on Thursday, 29th October, at about 6.30 in the evening, my cousin, Reuben Rainbow, of Wappenbury called to see me and after remaining half-a-hour in friendly conversation, asked me to come out and have a glass of beer with him. I then went out with him and got on the pony and trap, which was waiting outside. We drove as far as the crossroads near Elmdene, when without any reason, he pulled out a revolver and shot me through the chest. I saw him about six months ago and we were on peaceable terms. I know of no reason why he shot me. He was sober at the time and after he shot me he drove down Leyes Lane at a rapid rate. I jumped out of the trap and ran home”

Signed – George Brewer.

The Verdict

After the Coroner had summed up at length to the inquest. He said that in the case of Rainbow, the jury had returned a verdict of ‘Temporary Insanity’ but he reminded them, it was not a question for them whether Rainbow, who at the time inflicted the wound, was sane or not. It would be simply for them to say whether they believed in the first place that George Brewer died from the effects of a pistol shot. If they did believe that, it would then be for them to say whether the wound was inflicted by Rainbow or not. If they believed that, there was only one verdict to be returned against Rainbow, and that was of ‘wilful murder’. The jury did not deliberate for long and as recommended by the Coroner, returned a verdict of ‘wilful murder’. They highly commended Sergeant Allcot for the promptitude in which he acted in taking up the pursuit of Rainbow.

From The Pulpit

Funeral Of George Brewer

The funeral took place on Tuesday 3rd November. The cortege wended its way from Clayfield and was accompanied by large numbers of people who thronged the line of the route leading to St Augustine’s. The interment was witnessed by a great concourse of spectators and many sympathisers of the family. The mourners included the murdered man’s father, John, sister Agnes and his brothers John and Thomas. His fiancé, Miss Clara Avies. was also present, they were to be married at Christmas.

The coffin was covered with a large number of beautiful wreaths sent by relatives and friends. Included in the floral tributes was a magnificent one sent by Joseph Murdock of Crew Gardens, and the coffin was borne by workers from the same company, with whom the deceased had formed a friendship. He was buried in the north-west corner of the churchyard. The ceremony was conducted by Monseigneur Souter.

John Rainbow

John Reuben Rainbow was buried on Monday 2nd November at St Anne’s church in Wappenbury.

The afternoon of Wednesday 21st October 1914 was just a normal day for Miss Annie Maria Stanyer and her maid Miss Hawkins. They had set out from Fernhill Farm in Rouncil Lane on a horse and cart to do some shopping in Kenilworth. But this ‘normal’ day would end in tragedy.

Miss Stanyer had become a well-known lady around Kenilworth, and resided with her brother Fred Stanyer for the past three years at Fernhill, coming here from her hometown of Birmingham.

After doing some shopping in the town they were returning home along Warwick Road when the horse was startled by a passing train at St John’s. The animal ‘bolted’ at high-speed and eventually crashed into the iron railings outside the lodge gates of ‘Rouncil Towers’ near to the junction of Rouncil Lane.

Thrown from Cart

Both ladies were thrown from the cart, but unfortunately Miss Stanyer fell onto the railings, her throat catching one of the spikes. She was left suspended. The lodge-keeper’s wife was at home at the time of the accident but she was unable to get promptly to Miss Stanyer because the horse and cart had blocked the gateway. But Miss Hawkins succeeded in lifting her mistress from the spike. But rapid blood loss had rendered her unconscious. Dr. Asplen arrived within a few minutes of the accident but he could do nothing to save her. Inspector Parkinson had the body removed to the ‘mortuary’ at the Police Station. More about ‘mortuary’ problems later.

The Inquest

The Coroner

The inquest took place on Friday 23rd October at the Council House at Upper Rosemary Hill, presided over by Mr. Ernest Hadow, Coroner for Mid- Warwickshire. The foreman of the jury was Mr W. Bishop.

Brother Fred Stanyer

Mr. Fred Stanyer, of Fernhill farm, Rouncil Lane, identified the body as that of his sister, who kept house for him and she was 42 years-old. On the day she had left home with a horse and dog-cart and was good at driving. He said the animal had been broken-in to the harness about six months ago and was quiet and shy of traffic. He had taken it to the railway station recently with no problems. However, It did not like electric tramways, the dog-cart was a high one.

Evidence of Miss Hawkins

Witness Lynda Hawkins, maid at Fernhill Farm, told the inquest that she had been out twice before with the horse but not alone with Miss Stanyer. On Wednesday at about 4.30pm she had gone out with her mistress in the dog-cart. When they got to Waverely Road the horse was a bit restless. Witness got off the cart to go into Smith & Sons to purchase some goods. When she returned the cart had moved a few yards, Miss Stanyer said the horse had been startled by a train but she did not seem nervous. They then went to the Square and witness went into another shop whilst Miss Stanyer remained with the cart. After the purchases had been put into the cart, witness got on and they headed back home along Warwick Road. On passing the railway bridge near St. John’s the horse became frightened and ‘bolted’. Witness thought it must have been because of a passing train. Miss Stanyer called upon the witness to assist her, and both pulled hard on the reins. On approaching the Rouncil Lane junction, they still could not stop the horse, and Miss Stanyer said; “Let us turn it round the corner”. They both pulled on the right-hand rein but could not get the horse round the corner. It ran onto the grass under the trees and headed towards the lodge. The horse fell down, throwing both of them out of the cart. Witness was unclear whether the horse had hit the gate or not, or whether she had hit the gate or not, because she was dazed for a few seconds. When she recovered she found herself next to the feet of Miss Stanyer, and that’s when she found her caught on a spike, her hands were holding onto the railings and her face was lifted up. Her feet were off the ground, so Miss Hawkins lifted her down. Dr. Asplen was then sent for.

Witness James Prestidge

On Wednesday at about 5.30pm, Henry James Prestidge was on his way home to Warwick on his bicycle. He was near to the railway bridge, when behind him, he heard what sounded like a ‘runaway’. He saw it was a horse going at high speed with two women in the cart. He had to pull-over to avoid being hit. Both women had got hold of the reins. He saw the cart go just past the end of Rouncil Lane and then onto the side of road, and ran into the fence near the lodge. The horse seemed to bounce back and fall underneath the cart, the shafts of which were over the fence. The horse lay on the ground quietly. Witness gave all the assistance he could.

Medical Evidence

Witness Dr. Asplen, had been called to the incident and on arrival Miss Stanyer was lying near to the lodge, so had her taken inside. By this time, the horse and the cart had been taken away. He had previously seen her around town on the cart and the horse seemed a little ‘fresh’. On examination, he found a punctured and incised wound below the angle of the right jaw. The spike had perforated the mouth and severed the corotid artery and a jugular vein. The deceased had bleed to death, she had just stopped bleeding when witness arrived. The spike on the fence was found and a lot of blood was present. He said that she was lucky to survive as long as she did.

Mortuary Needed in Kenilworth

Dr. Asplen took the opportunity to call attention to the pressing need for a proper mortuary in Kenilworth. The coroner said that he had come across this subject many times before and agreed with him. The coroner asked why he should mention it regarding this case?, Dr Asplen explained that the lady was covered with blood and a considerable amount of washing was needed to remove this and there were no proper facilities to do this at the coach-house, to which the body was taken by Inspector Parkinson. The place was also overlooked by surrounding houses and therefore he thought the need for a mortuary was very pressing.

The Verdict

The coroner, In summing up, said he trusted the jury would take notice of Dr Asplen’s remarks and make a recommendation on the subject of the mortuary.

The jury returned a verdict of ‘Accidental Death’ on Miss Stanyer, and expressed through the foreman, their sympathy with the relatives of the deceased lady. The foreman also added that he endorsed what Dr. Asplen had said in regard for the need of a mortuary. They proposed that a requisition be sent to the Kenilworth Urban District Council (KUDC) for the pressing need for one in the town.

Mortuary Matters & Kenilworth Urban District Council

It was pointed out by Dr. Tangye, the County Medical Officer of Health, that a mortuary where bodies could be taken and post-mortem examinations undertaken would be a great convenience to the town. Councillors, Riley, Nelson and Perkins spoke out for the need of such a facililty. Cllr Nelson suggested it might be covered by public subscriptions. Cllr Jackson gave notice that he would move at the next meeting of the council that the sum of £100 be allowed in the next estimate for the erection and equipment for a public mortuary.

By 1916, two years after the tragedy at Rouncil Towers, the councillors were still at odds with one another about the provision of a mortuary. The main issue was money and who should pay for it. Some councillors believed it should not be paid for by public money, others disagreed. At a meeting in April, Cllr Jackson did not mince his words with his fellow councillors, saying that he had brought this subject up over the last 20-years, and nothing has ever been done. He thought it was a disgrace that bodies should be put in a coach-house where post-mortems also took place. He said it was about time this matter was thrashed out with the intention of settling it one way or another. He understood the cost of a mortuary would now be as much as £150, and he considered it was the duty of the council to provided such a place. But the problem was that the council had no money, and it was suggested they get a loan to build it.

What Happened to Rouncil Towers?

The ‘Towers’ was eventually demolised as part of the re-development of the area in 1961-63 by building company, Sunshine Homes. Reminders of its history can be seen in the street names: Towers Close, Sunshine Close, Suncliffe Drive and Lindsey Crescent are the four roads on the site. It’s a pity that Annie Stanyer could not have been remembered on a street name in some way but the people responsible for naming streets were probably unaware that the tragedy ever took place.

COVER-UP IN CAERNARFON BAY

Ernest Ashmore was born in Emscote, Warwick on 20th July 1883, and his connection with Kenilworth was when he married Lucy Sarah Green, daughter of David Green and Louisa Watts of 50, Spring Lane.

Lucy and Ernest married on 4th July 1914, at St Nicholas Church, and in April the following year, they had a daughter called Ivy Maud. At the time, Ernest was on active service with the Royal Navy in WW1.

In his younger days he was a toolmaker, which was probably his first job. But It was in August 1902, aged 18, he decided to enlist in the navy at Portsmouth for a 12-year period. He eventually became a Stoker 1st Class. During his career in the navy, he sailed on a wide range of vessels, from sloops to torpedo boats, but later he became a submariner.

Ernest and ‘Operation GF’

By the end of 1917 American and British forces were cooperating in their efforts to hunt down U-Boats in the Irish sea. Early in 1918, ‘Operation GF‘ was put in place in which eight British submarines collaborated with USS Bushnell and seven L-Class submarines around the coast of Ireland and in the Irish Sea. As part of the parnership, US naval officers undertook familarisation trips on board British submarines. Such was the secrecy of the whole operation the convoy of escorting ships were not even told that any British submarines were present in the area.

On 26th February 1918, Ernest was aboard the HM Vulcan (H5) submarine which went on patrol from Berehaven, County Cork, under the command of Lieutenant A. W. Forbes. Also on board was US Navy Liaison Officer, Earle Childs who was present for instructional purposes. The H5 was expected to return to port on the 6th March. However, on 2nd March, the captain of the SS Rutherglen, a merchant ship, reported that it had rammed a submarine ten miles east of Caernarfon Bay. It was also reported that cries had been heard and that men were in the water and that there was a strong smell of fuel. The incident happened at 8.30 in the evening and visibility was poor, so the crew would not have known if they had rammed a friend or foe. Under orders not to risk falling victim to U-Boats themselves, the Rusherglen carried on, attempting no rescue. Ernest and his fellow crew were left to their grim fate. Un-surprisingly there were no survivors. In total, 27 men were lost.

Following the Rusherglen report, and the disappearance of the H5, A Captain Nasmith sent a full report of the accident to his boss, Vice Admiral Sir Lewis Bayley, Admiral Commanding Western Approaches. Needing to keep the incident ‘under wraps’ due to the secrecy of the operation, he submitted that the crew of the Rusherglen be left under the impression that they had indeed sunk a U-Boat, and paid them the standard bonus. Ironically, five-months later, the Rusherglen itself, would fall victim to a U-Boat in the Mediterranean.

Wreck-Site On Protection List

It’s only in recent years that the H5 wreck-site has been put on the Protection of Military Remains Act. The H5 was one of only four submarines during WW1 that were lost to ‘friendly fire’.

Memorials

Ernest is commemorated on the Kenilworth War Memorial, and at the memorial inside the Kenilworth Sports & Social Club in Upper Rosemary Hill (formerly the Working Men’s Club), where he was a member. He and the crew of the H5, also appear on the Plymouth Naval Memorial, the Chatham Naval Memorial at Gillingham, Holyhead Maritime Museum, Anglesey and the Royal Navy Submarine Museum, at Portsmouth.

The loss of Ernest was not the only tragedy to fall upon Lucy’s family, as two of her brothers were also killed in the war. Leonard aged 23 and Arthur, aged 19. They are commemorated on the Kenilworth War Memorial.

But Lucy picked-up her life, and eventually re-married in 1927 to Thomas Barnwell, and they lived at No. 36, Hyde Road. She lived to a ripe old age of 98, and passed away in 1989.

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In the graveyard at St. Nicholas Church stands one of the many large Sarcophagi, with the inscription:

‘In memory of John Bursell of Bickmarsh Hall, who was lost in the wreck of the Jersey Steamer Express September 20th 1859, aged 42 years‘

The Bursell Family

Over many decades the Bursell’s were a very prominent family in Kenilworth. John’s father Henry was the proprietor of the King’s Arms having purchased the property in 1813, which at the time was a busy hotel and the general hub of the community. John was born on 13th January 1817 and was baptised at St.Nicholas church on the 8th May. He had an older brother called Henry, who was born in 1814. When their father died in 1834 he left the King’s Arms and other property to their mother Mary. But a few years later and now into her 60s she transferred it all over to John and Henry. Both brothers were farmers, as well as now being Inn-keepers. When John eventually moved away Henry became the main keeper of the King’s Arms.

The Marriage

John married Rebecca Coldicott in her home village of Church Honeybourne near Evesham in January 1848. She was then 22 and he was 31. They began married life as tenants of Bickmarsh Hall, south of Bidford-on-Avon. According to the 1851 census, the farm consisted of 563 acres where 25 men were employed, plus four servants. They were happily getting on with their lives when they made the fateful decision to go on holiday to the Channel Islands in September 1859, and from then on, everything would change……

The South-Western Company

The Express was owned by The South-Western Company and was built in 1847, it was a twin-engine paddle steamer of 180 horse power and began life on the Jersey services. But after 10 years it started to operate the new passenger and mail service, along with sister ship Wonder from Weymouth to Jersey (via Guernsey).

It was in the early morning of 20th September 1859, when John Bursell, wife Rebecca and niece Jane Bursell boarded the Express on their return journey home from Jersey.  In a misguided decision to save a few minutes of journey time Captain Mabb, who, at the time, was deputising for the sick Captain Harvey, steered a course he had never taken before. Departing St. Helier towards Guernsey it struck a treacherous group of rocks off Corbiere. Not realising the full extent of the damage, the captain continued on, but within a short distance the steamer stuck another rock.

A hole was torn in her bow and made water fast, but was able to limp-on but would not steer properly.  With the ship slowly sinking, the captain and crew decided to head back to St. Helier. But it was clear they wouldn’t make it that far, so the steamer was steered onto some rocks at St. Brelades Bay.  Reports indicated that John Bursell was helping lower a lifeboat when several passengers jumped into the boat, and he was somehow dragged overboard. Unfortunately he got trapped in between the lifeboat and steamer and was soon overcome by the swell. Rebecca was reported to have seen the whole incident, shouting out several times, “My poor husband he is drowned”. Her life had changed forever.

150 Saved – But One Other Lost

One other man was lost in the wreck but all other passengers and crew of around 150, were saved.  The women and children were the first to be rescued, followed by the men and the crew, Captain Mabb was the last off.  The passengers were conveyed from the wreck to the land by second mate of the ship and Deputy Harbour Master, James Hanson who was on board as a passenger.  Also on board were three race horses which were due to race at Guernsey the following day, and these were rescued by mattresses and bed linen being placed on the slippery rocks to enable them to reach land safely.  

All the roads from the wreck-site to St. Helier were littered with stricken passengers, their luggage still to be salvaged. All the rocks and surrounding areas were covered with contents of the ship and passenger belongings. Rebecca and her niece were taken to the Tozer’s Hotel in St. Helier, where they had been staying during their holiday. Rebecca was reported to have been in a state of ‘bordering on distraction’. Captain Mabb was arrested and his Captains Certificate removed.

Body Returned To Kenilworth

John’s body wasn’t found until the 7th October, and after more than two weeks in the sea it was unrecognisable. It was discovered floating offshore by a tug steamer that was laying down new telegraph cables between Jersey and Guernsey.  The only means of identification was the cloths and personal items in his pockets.  The family had left the island before his body was recovered but brother Henry had left instructions that if his body was found, it should be sent to Kenilworth as soon as possible for internment at St. Nicholas Church. His body arrived in a leaden shell on Sunday 9th October, accompanied by Mr. Thomas Kine of the Tozer’s Hotel. The burial took place on the following day.  His grave, (plot 717), lies close to his mother and father’s grave (plot 730).

Coroner’s Inquest

At the coroner’s inquest the jury did agree that it was the body of John Bursell but they also concluded:

“That the loss of the Express was the result of culpable imprudence and ignorance on the part of Captain Robert Charles Mabb, then commanding the said vessel in her voyage towards Guernsey, by needlessly steering her through a dangerous passage, out of usual route, not having at the time, a pilot on board, not himself a pilot. And the members of the jury, strongly recommend the competent Authorities of the Island, in order to avoid greater calamities, to put into execution a law which enacts that every vessel leaving the island with passengers, shall take a licensed pilot on board”

The Board of Trade also held an inquiry but no verdict was reached. The crew and passengers were interviewed and there was no doubt that Captain Mabb took the wrong course at Corbiere called ‘Jailers Passage’.  But the testimony of the witnesses was apparently contradictory. The magistrates could not decide upon the case.  Chairman, Mr. Bernard said: “Under the circumstances it is difficult to know what to do. I cannot do otherwise than return Captain Mabb his certificate without expressing any opinion on the case. I have no power to retain it”

Captain Mabb had been with the company for about 20 years, and was said to be ‘prostrated’ by the whole incident and has since ‘lost reason’. The value of the Express was said to have been around £7000.  (well over £400,000 in today’s money ¹)

Bad Time For Sea Travel

There was no doubt it was a perilous time for sea travel during the 19th Century.  ‘Health & Safety’ regulations didn’t seem to be much of a priority back then. In the Board of Trade’s Annual Wreck Register of 1858 it was recorded that on average, 745 people died each year during the period 1881 to 1858.  In 1858 alone, 1170 vessels of various types, were wrecked.

The Will

Following John Bursell’s death, all his farm equipment and livestock etc at Bickmarsh were auctioned off.  The executers of his will were his brother Henry and Mr. William Hiorns from Rebecca’s home town of Church Honeybourne.  The value of his estate was recorded as being Less than £3000 ², not an insubstantial amount back then. We don’t know who were the beneficiaries of the will, as women’s inheritance rights during the mid-19th century, weren’t favourable, to say the very least. But it looks like Rebecca did benefit in some way, as census records indicate that she lived by ‘independent means’, for the rest of her life. In the 1861 census, she was recorded as being a ‘retired farmer’, she was then only 35 years-old.

During their eleven-year marriage, they never had any children. (none that we know of). She soon moved away from Bickmarsh but continued living in the local area.  In the 1881 census she was living with her nephew Robert Coldicott at the 350-acre Pastures Farm in the village of South Littleton, three miles from Bickmarsh. The farm employed 8 men, 3 boys and 2 servants. 

Widow For More Than 50 Years

It would appear that Rebecca never got over the tragic death of her husband and she never married again, spending nearly 55 years a widow.  She lived out the last few years of her life in a townhouse at Shipston-on-Stour, still living with her nephew.  She died aged 87, and was buried in the town’s cemetery on 31^st January 1914 ³.

References

1. Currency Converter – National Archives ↩︎
2. England & Wales, National Probate and Calender. Index of Wills and Administrations 1858-1995 ↩︎
3. Shipston-Upon-Stour Town Council ↩︎

In late October 1962, the manageress of the Bear & Ragged Staff Hotel, Mrs Doris Harley, informed Kenilworth Police about a theft from the premises. Brain Painter a barman, aged 24, from Cheshire, who had worked at the ‘Bear’ for about two months, had disappeared along with around £370 from the safe, and a car belonging to one of the guests.

Mrs Harley told the police, that Painter was on his own while working in Kenilworth, but he made frequent phone calls to his wife in Conway, North Wales. She was apparently, pregnant. The next report of him was on Thursday 25th October, when he turned up in France.

Body Found In Troyes

The next time anything was heard of him, was when his body was found in a remote forest near Troyes, eastern France, close to the Luxembourg border, which was about 100 miles from Paris. His body was reported to have been found slumped over the wheel of a stolen french car, which had Paris number-plates. Newspaper reports indicated that empty sachets of Aspirin were found next to his body. Police enquires led them to questioning a hostess at a Paris night club, but this didn’t lead to anything useful.

Body Taken To Paris – Conflicting Evidence

His body was taken to Paris for a post-mortem. The medical examiner indicated that in his opinion an overdose of Aspirin did not kill him. Internal organs were examined, which revealed that he had died from carbon monoxide poisioning. This led to the theory that his death was due to exposure from exhaust fumes, but this could not be confirmed.

The French police disclosed that his body and head were wrapped in a waterproof sheet, so concluded he could not have killed himself. On this evidence it looks like murder – what else? But nothing was ever reported in the UK press in the weeks and months following his death, and it quickly turned into a cold-case.

The Death Certificate

Strangley, on the British version of his death certificate, it does not list the cause of death, but it does say a ‘Local death certificate produced’, which presumably would confirm the possible/probable cause of death. The date of his death was recorded as ‘About the 28th October’.

So, in very mysterious circumstances the ‘Bear barman’, had come to a lonely end, in a french forest – but was it suicide or was it murder?