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Members Meeting -8th November 2023

We welcomed Mr Patrick Robertshaw to our November meeting. Mr Robertshaw gave us a talk on the Kirkheaton Police Murders in 1951.

The story revolved around a man named Alfred Moore (or was it Albert Moore?), who was hanged on the date of the Queen’s accession to the throne. He was a prolific serial burglar specialising in mills and offices. Mr Robertshaw showed us a number of photographs, some of which showed the extent of Moore’s extensive collection of skeleton keys.

He and his family lived at Whinney Close Farm. It was in a remote location which served as an ideal base for his surreptitious activities.

His daughter attended a private school which showed just how lucrative his “business” was (far more so than a farming business could be).

In July 1951 the police decided that it was time to put a stop to his criminal activity. On the fateful night in question, they staked out his property. As he was a mere burglar, no violence was expected. However, gunfire was heard at one of the locations where the police had been waiting to intercept him upon his return home from another night “at the office”. Two policemen had been shot; an inspector, Duncan Fraser, died at the scene of the crime; the constable, Arthur Jagger, died in hospital a few days later, but not before identifying Moore in an identity parade and providing a deposition on his death bed.

On the strength of PC Jagger’s evidence, Moore was charged with murder, tried by jury, convicted and sentenced to be hanged, despite the fact that his property was searched with a fine-tooth comb and no weapon was ever found.

Alfred Moore was hanged on the 6th February 1952, the same date as the Queen’s accession to the throne.

Mr Keith Gill, Vice Chair of the Society, thanked Mr Robertshaw for his fascinating insight into the demise of one of the area’s most notorious criminals.                                                        (AB)

UPCOMING EVENTS

A Date For Your Diary…

Calderdale Heritage Walk – Sunday 10th December 2023

The Centre of Elland

In 1086 the town featured in the Domesday Book. It has a fine old Parish Church and one of the oldest town centres in Calderdale though, now, much changed. We’ll see how areas of it have evolved down the centuries.

The walk starts at 1.30 pm. Fee £4.00.

Meet Ian Philp outside St Mary’s Church notice board. HX5 0RU. (Please note there are currently roadworks around the Church).

Please note that this is not a GEHS event. This walk is arrange by Calderdale Heritage Walks. For further information/updates please e-mail cdaleheritagewks@gmail.com or check their website https://calderdaleheritagewalks.org.uk or their Facebook page – Calderdale Heritage Walks.

Members Meeting

Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday 13th December 2023.

This will be a talk by Andrew Gilmour on Christmas Traditions.

As this will be our last meeting of 2023 we will also be having our Brian Hargreaves Raffle.

All welcome. Non-members £3.00 on the night.

Membership

The Membership fee of £12.00 is now due. We would prefer payment by cheque, made payable to The Greater Elland Historical Society, or in cash for the exact amount (we will have limited change on the night).

Hello again world!

Due to technical issues the GEHS website has been unavailable for a number of days. The website is currently being recovered (and developed) and will be re-launched shortly…