Murder at the New Inn, Little Hayfield

George Frederick Walter Hayward was born in 1897 in Pendleton, Salford, the son of George Frederick and Alice Walter, the 1901 census tells us the family, including Georges sister, Beatrice, were living at 9 Jackson Street in Stretford. George senior was employed as a clerk on the railways.

10 years later, the family had moved to 24 Alpha Street West in Seedley, near Pendleton, Salford, at this point, the mother Alice had passed away in late 1910 leaving George senior to care for his two children. Fast forward another 10 years to 1921 and the family continue to live at 24 Alpha Street West, George senior now works as a clerk in a furniture store, whilst George junior is a clerk in sewing machine factory.

George junior has at some point left the industrial area of Salford and has moved to the idyllic village of Little Hayfield, where in late 1925 he married Edith Robinson, the couple had a baby boy, Eric, in 1927. The family lived at the White House, George was working as a commercial traveller.

George was a regular at the New Inn (now the Lantern Pike). 

George Hayward

On the morning of Armistice day 1927, George Frederick Walter Hayward went to the pub, Amy Collinson, the wife of the landlord, was cleaning out the grate of the fireplace in the living room, Hayward approached her and bludgeoned her over the head with a piece of lead pipe before cutting her throat, he stole a quantity of cash and made off from the property.

The newspapers of the time were awash with reporting of the ghastly murder and it wasn't long before Hayward was apprehended and taken into custody. 

George Hayward was put on trial at Derby Assizes, the sitting judge was Mr Justice Hawke - this would be the first capital charge to be heard by him.

The trial began on Monday 20th February 1928, again the newspapers were full of the reporting of the event.

The court heard that Amy Collinson was the wife of the landlord of the New Inn, Little Hayfield, Hayward appeared composed in the dock as the charge was read out him, to which he made the reply, "Not Guilty".

Sir Henry Maddocks K.C. for the prosecution, his opening speech lasted for over an hour, he told the assembled court that Hayward had lived with his wife for almost two years at White House, some 600 yards from the New Inn, he continued, Mrs Collinson looked after the house whilst her husband went daily to work in Glossop. The Collinson's kept money on the premises, including takings, a reserve and the husbands wages. Hayward who was friends with the Collinson's knew this fact, and also that Mr Collinson left the pub daily for his work.

Sir Henry continued, on arriving home from Glossop on the evening of November 11th, Mr Collinson was apprehensive on finding the house locked up, on entering he went into the living room where he found his wife lying on the floor in a pool of blood, she had been bludgeoned and her throat cut.

The prosecution continued, it would be shown that Hayward was seen going towards the inn at around 10.30 that morning, and a short time later he was seen heading towards the bus terminus.

A search of the pub revealed hidden in an old cistern, a length of lead pipe wrapped in brown paper with wood running through the centre, one end of the pipe was also wrapped with a dust cap that had belonged to Amy Collinson. 

Haywards house was searched and found hidden in the chimney of his bedroom was a large quantity of money, even more damning was that the waste pipe in his house had been cut, the pipe from the pubs cistern was an exact match for the missing piece.

Evidence was heard that Hayward was in financial difficulties at the time of the murder.

10 witnesses took to the stand and gave evidence against Hayward;

Charles Hobson was the local milkman, he testified that he had delivered milk to the New Inn between 9.30am and 9.45am on the morning of the murder, Mrs Collinson answered the door to him and was her usual cheery self.

John Barr working at Clough Mill spoke to Hayward around 10.15am and saw him walk towards the Inn.

Emma Bradley who had a grocers shop on Clough Lane also saw the offender walking towards the Inn at the material time, similar evidence was also heard from Mary MacBrain and Arthur Lomas, a roadman, who it seems was the last person, other than Hayward, to see Amy Collinson alive.

Further evidence was heard that Hayward, after the murder, was seen taking a bus towards New Mills, once there, he bought a £4 money order, payable to a furniture company in Manchester.

The attending doctor gave evidence as to the injuries inflicted upon Amy Collinson, he stated that the injury to her throat was so severe that death would have occurred within 1 minute and that the knife was still lodged in her throat, on hearing this one of the jurors collapsed and was unable to continue jury service.

Hayward eventually took to the witness stand and gave his evidence, he told the court that he been employed in silk manufacturing until the October before his arrest, he had served in Egypt during the Great War but hadn't seen any fighting. He explained that the lead piping that had been cut in his home had been done in order to clear a blockage but he couldn't account for the offcut, when asked why he had traces of lead in the pockets of his clothes he replied that he often carried tools in them. He stated that he had gone to the pub in order to but cigarettes, Amy Collinson supplied him with some. 

He was then asked directly by the prosecution;

Prosecution - "Did you murder her ?"

Hayward - "No Sir"

Prosecution - "The piping, did you hit her with it ?"

Hayward - "No Sir"

Prosecution - "Do you know how it got there ?"

Haywards - "No"

Hayward explained that he kept money up the bedroom chimney in his bedroom so that his wife wouldn't find it, he couldn't account for blood on his shirt, although he did state that cut his face whilst shaving that morning, he had no idea how blood had got onto his shoes and his hat.

The trial lasted for a total of 5 days, it didn't take the jury long to return with their verdict.

GUILTY OF MURDER.

Hayward maintained a cool demeanour when the verdict was read out, he was asked if he had anything to say before sentence was passed, in calm tones and loud enough for everyone in the courtroom to hear he said,

"I am not guilty, I am quite innocent my lord"

Donning his black cap, his honour Mr Justice Hawke passed the only sentence available to him - Death !

Calendar of prisoners showing Hayward

Hayward was taken to Nottingham's Bagthorpe prison to await his fate, he appealed the verdict, this was unsuccessful.

At 8am on the morning of Tuesday 10th April 1928 - George Frederick Walter Hayward was hung, the executioner was Albert Pierrepoint.

Haywards would become the last execution to be carried out at Bagthorpe, after his hanging the topping shed as it was known was closed and later became a store room.

Grave of Amy Collinson - Glossop Cemetery

Captain Roland Davenport Farmer, 1/5th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

Killed in Action on this day, (March 22nd), 110 years ago.

Born in 1886 to George and Ada Farmer of Ashby de la Zouch, Roland was one of 9 children born to the couple, a brief insight into the family make up can be gleaned from the 1911 census which tells us that at that time 9 children had been born to George and Ada, 5 were living and 4 had sadly died, Roalnd was their eldest son.

In 1901 the family lived at 33 Tamworth Road, Ashby de la Zouch, 49 year old George was listed as being the Clerk to the Guardians, the Guardians as such were created under the 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act, executing instructions for managing local Poor Law unions, overseeing workhouses, infirmaries and issuing poor relief, he would have also managed records, minute books and all manner of correspondence for the union. At the time of the 101 census Roland was listed as being 15 years of age, living at the address with his father, mother, two sisters Ada, Hilda, and two younger brothers, Frederick and Edward.

10 years later and the family were now living at Ivanhoe House, still in Ashby de la Zouch, by this time Roland was listed as being the assistant clerk to the guardians.

Roland joined the Army prior to the outbreak of World War One as a Private, joining the Ashby and Coalville Company of the Leicestershire's, he reached the rank of Colour Sergeant before resigning to take up a commission in the Territorial Force.

Educated at Ashby Grammar School, Roland was a keen sportsman, excelling at golf and cricket. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant into the Ashby company of the 5th Battalion on June 6th 1913. after a short spell as a Lieutenant in the Lincolnshire Regiment, in February 1915 he was sent to France with the 1/5th Battalion as a Lieutenant overseeing "C" Company.

Roland was promoted to Captain and was Officer Commanding "C" Company when he killed in action on March 22nd 1916.

A letter sent to Roland's parents by Colonel RE Jones, commanding the 5th Battalion reached the Monday following his death, in it he conveyed the sad news that their eldest son was killed by an aerial torpedo in Flanders. It is understood that he met his death whilst going to the assistance of a comrade. He had been in command of the Shepshed company of the 5th at the time of his death.

Captain Roland Davenport Farmer

Colonel Jones went on;

"Your son was one of the coolest and bravest men that ever lived. I have seen him on many occasions under severe fire and nothing has ever disturbed him. He never flinched, never hesitated to go and do what he knew was right, without a thought from himself, only for the cause he was upholding. We are all sorry. We all feel his loss.

In the book - 1/5th Battalion The Leicestershire Regiment by JD Hills, Roland gets mentioned;

"Through it all (in reference to a German Minewerfer attack (mortars)), Captain Farmer walked calmly from post to post, cheering the garrison and just before the end of the bombardment at 4pm, made his way down the small communication trench towards his support platoon. Thence he went to call on "B" Company but was caught on the way back by a mortar, which he probably could not see coming in the mist and he was killed instantly, being blown out of the trench and lost for several hours. Captain  Farmer was perhaps the quietest, certainly the bravest officer of his time, for he feared nothing and nothing could shake his calm, whilst it was said of him that he never angry and never despondent. When he was killed "C" Company lost their leader and every man his best friend while the mess lost one of the most cheerful comrades of every officer."

Roland's body was recovered from the battlefield, he was laid to rest amongst his men in Ecoiveres Military Cemetery, his headstone carries the legend from his family;

"MAKE HIM TO BE NUMBERED WITH THY SAINTS IN GLORY EVERLASTING" 

Private Albert Cartwright, 4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

 On this day, (March 21st) 110 years ago, Albert Cartwright died of his wounds.

Albert was born in Stafford in 1896 to James and Lydia Cartwright, one of 6 children born to the couple. In 1901 the family were living in Field Place, Stafford, by 1911 the family had moved to Leicester and were living at 4 Crown Street in the city.

Shortly after the outbreak of war on August 4th 1914, Albert saw fit to volunteer for service, so on August 29th 1914 at the age of 18 and a half he enlisted into the 4th Battalion of the Leicestershire Regiment. The 4th were a territorial battalion who had their headquarters in Oxford Road in the centre of Leicester, they formed part of the Lincoln and Leicester Infantry Brigade of the North Midland Division.

The division, embarked for France in February 1915 becoming the first territorial battalion to arrive on the Western Front.

Alberts service records show that he arrived in France on March 2nd 1915.

4th Battalion, Leicestershire Regiment

Credit - IWM

Albert was involved in heavy fighting receiving a gunshot would to the face which neccessitated him 

being admitted to a field hospital in near Rouen on 10th October 1915, he recovered sufficiently to be sent back to the line on the 27th of that month.

He was injured once again in March 1916 and sadly died of his wounds on 21st March 1916, he was laid to rest in Ecoiveres Military Cemetery, situated around 8km north west of the town of Arras.

Whilst looking through Alberts service records, a letter from his mother was found, it reads;

Dear Sir,

Very many thanks, twas a great relief, I feel most grateful to you. I firstly had your communication noting the despatch when the following morning the package arrived, the personal effects of my dear departed son (no. 2380 Private A Cartwright, 4th Batt, Leic Regt).

The effects in question were as follows;

1 Gold reefer ring (broken)

1 set of false teeth (broken)

Photos and correspondence

Miniature crucifix and other religious matter

1 French knife

Such were the articles, rest assured that as far as possible I shall ever cherish the same in my possession, now again expressing my gratitude, further quoting my warm thanks for your kindness

Your respectfully

L. Cartwright

And further I shall like to ask if you could kindly let me know the number of my sons grave and whereabouts he is buried.

yours his ??? mother

Mrs Cartwright

For his service and for paying the ultimate sacrifice, Albert was awarded the world war one medal trio and a bronze memorial plaque.

The Leicester Mercury newspaper of March 31st 1916 had the following article;

Pte, Albert Cartwright, whose parents reside at 4 Crown Street, Leicester (his father being the caretaker of Crown Street Primitive Methodist Church ) is reported to have been killed in action. He joined the colours last year, leaving his work at St. Marys Mills to enlist.

Robert Robinson - Butcher - 16 Dale Street

Robert Robinson - Butchers - 16 Dale Street, Milnrow

I posted the picture above some time ago Facebook, research into Robert Robinson has yielded some interesting results.

Robert Robinson was born in 1873, the son of John and Elizabeth, the census of 1881 tells us the family were living at 19 Equitable Street in Milnrow, Johns occupation was given as woollen weaver, the couple had 7 children, the youngest being Robert who was destined to follow in his older brother and become a butcher.

By 1901 the family had moved to 22 Harbour Lane, John had also had a career change as he was now listed as being a grocer, 18 year old Robert, as predicted, was now a butcher working alongside his brother.

John Robinson died in 1892 at the age of 67, he was buried in St James churchyard, Milnrow, 3 years later Robert was married at St. Thomas', his bride being Eleanor Smith.

When the 1901 census was taken 6 years later, Robert had his own shop - 16 Dale Street, the couple also had a son, Claude Smith Robinson who had been born 4 years earlier on June 24th 1896.

By the time the next census was taken in 1911 the family had grown by one by the addition of a daughter  - Evelyn Smith Robinson who was born in 1908.

An article in the Rochdale Observer dated November 26th 1910 made for disturbing reading. Eleanor had been found above the butchers shop with her throat cut, she had been found mid morning by her 14 year old son Claude. Seeing his mother bleeding badly and in a state of distress he quickly raised the alarm, two doctors were quickly at the premises and managed to clean her up and stitched the wound.

The report continued that Eleanor had been in low spirits for a number of weeks, she had told Dr Malim that her husband had also been very run down of late, Dr. Malim had no reason to suspect that Eleanor would come to any harm, although the wounds to her neck were superficial she was very weak from loss of blood. It was determined that the wound to her neck was self inflicted.

Roberts business was flourishing, in addition to the shop at Dale Street, he also had butchers shops in New Hey at 28 Huddersfield Road and Firgrove at 226 Rochdale Road.

World War One was looming, whilst Robert was above the recruiting age, teenager Claude wasn't. In the early years of the war he managed to avoid the call, but with the way the war was going and the vast numbers of young men being killed and seriously injured more young men were required to fill the voids.

In early May 1916 the call came for Claude to do his duty for King and Country, Robert put Claudes name forward to the authorities stating that he was in a reserved occupation, meaning he wouldn't have to join up.

The tribunal was held at Milnrow council offices, Councillor J Smith presided over the tribunal which heard pleas on behalf of 18 young men, one being Claude Robinson.

His father, Robert addressed the tribunal stating that he had 3 shops and a farm to look after and that his son was his only help, the plea was successful in that Claude was granted an exemption - but only until May 31st 1916.

Any further appeals on behalf of Claude went unheeded, he was called up for service and initially joined the Royal Field Artillery before being drafted into the 15th Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers.

The 15th were involved in heavy fighting during the third Battle of Ypres, more commonly known as Passchendaele which began at 3.50am on July 31st 1917, Claudes battalion were involved in the fighting at Pilckem Ridge.

The 15th Royal Welsh Fusiliers were part of Welsh Division which suffered over 3000 casualties alone - including Claude Robinson.

Soldiers Of The 15th Battalion. RWF

Claudes body was never recovered from the battlefield, his name is one of 54606 names of the missing that adorn the Menin Gate memorial in Ypres, Belgium.

The telegram informing of their sons death would have dropped through the door at 16 Dale Street, one of countless telegrams to frantic parents, wives, brothers and sisters bringing the very worst news imaginable.

In 1923 Robert and Eleanor sold their businesses in Milnrow and moved to the seaside, Morecambe to be exact. Eleanor died in 1934 whilst living at 18 Regent Road she was 58, following the death of his wife Robert moved to Ulverston in Cumbria where 12 years later Robert died.

Although he hadn't lived in Milnrow for a good number of years, the Rochdale Observer of 24th December 1944 carried a short obituary.

 It is perfectly reasonable to assume that the picture at the beginning that inspired this short tale actually shows Robert, Claude and Eleanor. 

Milnrow War Memorial

Every village, town and city was touched in some way by the Great War, there are however 53 parishes in England and Wales where all the men that served came home, they are known as "thankful or blessed" villages. Milnrow and Newhey sadly are not among that number.

The need for a War Memorial in Milnrow was first discussed at a meeting held in the lecture room of the Carnegie Library, Newhey Road on February 4th 1919.

Milnrow "Carnegie" Library 

A packed crowd were present as Councillor JT Whitehead, the chairman of the council chaired the meeting. Various differing opinions were raised, some said a public swimming baths should be built in memory of the men, others suggested a park or playground, some even said they didn't want any form of memorial erecting.

It was eventually decided that a statue of a soldier would be the most fitting tribute to the fallen of the village.

The next issue to be discussed was the potential siting of the memorial. 

The Cliffe House estate was thought to be the most suitable location, owned by the local businessman Emmanuel Clegg, two members of the committee were dispatched to go and speak to Clegg and attempt to buy a plot of land, they failed to convince him to relinquish any of his land.

The committee then decided on a an area at the bottom of Kiln Lane for the memorial, the cost was estimated to in the region of £2500, not a small amount which today would equate to over £75000.  

The committee met again in March 1921, the sculptor chosen to make the statue, George Thomas, attended with models of 2 possible statues, he estimated the statues to cost around £1800, the statue would be cast in bronze, weighing in at over 1 ton, standing between 7'6" and 8' high it would be mounted on a Bollington sandstone plinth, 12 feet high. 

The cost of the memorial also included the provision of bronze tablets upon which the names of each fallen soldier would be added at the cost of £1 per name.

George Thomas set about creating the memorial, when finished it was brought to the village and the proposed site, an area near the bottom of Kiln Lane roughly where the car park stands today.

Original Site of Milnrow War Memorial

Sunday 4th august 1924 was the date set for the unveiling, almost four and a half years after the initial meeting.

Major-General Arthur Solly-Flood conducted the unveiling, he had been General Officer Commanding the 42nd East Lancashire Division during the latter stages of WW1 and would have commanded many of the men the memorial remembered.

Thousand lined the streets to witness the unveiling, of the statue and the brass tablets containing the names of 168 local men who perished.

Milnrow War Memorial In Its Original Location

The memorial was moved to its current location on 1951 after the widening of Dale Street and Bridge Street. The memorial has also been granted Grade II listing status.

Ironically it was moved to the site of where Cliffe House once stood - the house owned by Emmanuel Clegg, in what is now known as Milnrow Memorial Park.

The original bronze plaques were stolen from the memorial and were replaced with slate tablets onto which the names of the fallen were carved, many names were omitted from whatever reason and it wasn't until 2009 that the names of over 70 men were added.

Henry Butterworth - Hero of Waterloo

Henry Butterworth was born on 18th March 1783, the son of Edmund Butterworth, Edmund was a yeoman and had fought in Flanders under the Duke of Cumberland (also known as butcher Cumberland after the Battle of Culloden).

During his early years Henry was sent to the West Indies where he because an assistant superintendent on a sugar plantation, a job which he didn't like. He yearned to be a military man.

His elder brother, also Edmund, held a commission in the 3rd Lancashire Militia, Henry pestered his brother to try and obtain a commission which was duly done, Henry became an ensign in the 1st Lancashire Militia. It wasn't long before Henry volunteered for foreign service and together with 50 other Lancashire lads they embarked on a military career.

It wasn't long before Henry was appointed to the 32nd Cornwall Regiment of Foot, he also took 32 men from the Lancashire Militia with him, he saw active service during the Peninsular Wars, the war raged  from 1807 - 1814 and saw Napoleon's empire fight against Bourbon Spain, Great Britain fought as allies of the Kingdom of Portugal in order to gain control of the Iberian Penisular.

Henry was awarded the Military General Service Medal for his services during the conflict, he was awarded 6 bars to the medal for action in the battles of Rolera, Vimiera, Salamanca, Talavera, Pyrenees and Nivelle, he was listed as sick during the final battles of Nive and Orthes and so wasn't awarded the bars for these actions.

Lieutenant Henry Butterworth in the uniform of the 32nd Regiment of Foot wearing his campaign medals

During the Battle of Salamanca on July 22nd 1812, Henry was seriously wounded by a musket ball that passed straight through his body, one of his men named Ashworth, from Smallbridge, lifted his wounded officer onto his back and carried him 3 miles to the rear of the army lines so he could receive treatment for his wounds. Once recovered Henry again took to the battle.

In 1815, he was present at the Battle of Waterloo, he was wounded 3 times during the fierce fighting with Thomas Pictons division, he never quit the field of battle. 

After 1815 Henry retired back to Rochdale, during his 12 years as Lieutenant in the 32nd Regiment of Foot, he spent 9 of them on active service, he was wounded seven times, 3 of them being classed as severe injuries.

He retired from the military on half pay in 1820 due to ill health, he was transferred to the 35th Regiment of Foot.

On returning to Rochdale Henry Butterworth was appointed a county magistrate and a deputy-lieutenant. 

In early 1860 he became sick and died on June 8th of the same year aged 77.

He was laid to rest at St. Johns, Smallbridge, his coffin carried by 8 Waterloo veterans.

Henry Butterworth (seated) with a. group of other Waterloo veterans

Sgt Percy Kershaw - Border Regiment - KIA July 1st 1916

23 year old Sergeant Percy Kershaw was killed in action on the first day of the Battle of the Somme (July 1st 1916).

Sgt Percy Kershaw, 1/Border Regiment

Percy was the middle of five children born to John James and Esther Kershaw, born in Middleton in 1893, by 1901 the family had moved to 54 Kilworth Street, Brimrod, John James was employed as a guard on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway, 10 years later in 1911, the family had moved over Smithy Bridge to No. 1 Moss Cottages.

John James was still working for the L&Y Railway in 1911, 18 year old Percy was listed as being a groom, he later became an assistant coachman for Doctor MacGill.

Percy enlisted into the Border Regiment, serving with the 1st Battalion, enlisting early on the war, he entered France on October 5th 1914.

Percy was one of over 21,000 British soldiers to lose their lives on July 1st 1916, tens of thousands more were injured.

Percy's body was recovered from the battlefield, he was laid to rest in Hawthorn Ridge Cemetery No.2 Beaumont-Hamel, the cemetery is located within the Newfoundland Memorial park.