Dark Fascination

Thomas Rawcliffe was the last person to be hanged at Lancaster Castle. He was 31 years old and was executed in November, 1910 for the wilful murder of his wife, Louisa. Thomas Rawcliffe stated he agreed a mutual suicide with his wife louisa. Was this true? Did he kill her or simply do his part in the suicide pact? Thomas was found guilty regardless, but watch the story and make up your own mind. Listen to the history and upbringing of Thomas and what he went though and decide whether you feel he was telling the truth or not. Join me as we learn the incredible and true story of Thomas Rawcliffe, Learn his story and what led to his execution at Lancaster Castle by the Rochdale Hangman John Ellis. 

Peter Allen Originally from Cheshire and Gwynne Owen Evans, from Maryport in Cumbria two men, met each other in Preston, Lancashire. 

The pair undertook a string of criminal escapades before both travelling to Workington, in Cumbria and murdered a man in his own home, John 'Jack' West. 

After a criminal investigation, they were found, tried and put to death. In 1964, in two separate northern prisons, miles apart, Manchester Strangeways Prison and Walton Prison, the two men swung from the gallows at the exact same time. 

This abhorrent pair were the last people in Britain to be hung for the crime of wilful murder. 

Hi Foks, join me as we learn the story of a beautiful little Blackburn Girl who’s life was brutally cut short, in the most horrific and harrowing way, And that is the story, of little Emily Holland. 

This is a case that not only affected the people of Blackburn, but truly touched the whole nation. 

Emily Holland lived with her parents in Blackburn in Lancashire and was, by all accounts, a normal little girl. 

She attended the local St Alban's School and her father, James Holland, worked as a mechanic, whilst her mother, Elizabeth Holland, remained at home caring for her children. 

Emily had many friends her own age and was well known in the neighbourhood. she was also a kind young girl, always willing to run errands for her parents. It was this that ultimately led to her death. 

In March of 1876, 7 year old Emily Holland, set off for home when her school finished at 4.30pm. her home was approximately 400 yards from St Alban's School. Little Emily did not return home, and she was never seen, alive again. 

This case has been referenced as Blackburns Sweeney Todd, due to the gruesome details and also the forensic techniques implemented at the time, techniques that would pave the way for future policing. 

Learn about how a 16 year old girl from Accrington, overcome the abuse she was facing at home from her father. Her bravery was inspired by the story of little Agnes - The Lady with no hands. 

A story about a young 16 year old girl who lived only 2 streets away from where little Agnes met her tragic fate. If you haven’t seen that video, I suggest watching that one first, otherwise this one won’t make much sense. 

You can watch that here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzpwiSDXw2I

The story I discovered was written by the 16 year old who lived near little Agnes, she finally got it all off her chest and write it down and gave it to her granddaughter just before she died, It was her granddaughter who published the story and that’s how I found it. 

So I contacted the grand daughter who now lives in Queensland in Australia. To ask permission to make a video based on the story, she was happy to let me do it, She told me her nana eventually Also moved to Australia and her and Agnes used to send each other Christmas cards every year until Agnes passed away. Now This story is of how the bravery of Little Agnes and her horrific experience, inspired the 16 year old girl who was dealing with some real traumatic stuff at home to stand up for her self and prevent any further abuse that she was experiencing by her own father. 

This is the true story of Edward Rifle Mann, a 26 year old hard working man, originally from Germany, who due to his own incredible bravery, here on the sandy beach at Blackpool, tragically lost his life, breaking the heart of his then fiancé who would hold a candle for her lover, until her dying day. 

Today we visit the beautiful Blackpool situated on the lancashire coast in the North West region of Britain. To learn a truly fascinating story of a victorian hero who's selfless act caused him his life. 

He now lies buried in Layton cemetery in Blackpool. Edward Rifle Mann worked on the on the Bathing Machines on Blackpool beach. The bathing machine was invented in the early 18th century. 

At its peak of popularity, the purpose of the bathing machine was all about those crazy rules of bathing etiquette that they upheld in the 18th and 19th century, which kept women and their beach bodies out of sight of prying eyes (while the men frollicked freely on the beach). 

Bathing machines were wooden carts with two doors on either sides of the the front and back which allowed bathers to change out of their clothes and into their bathing suits without having to be seen by the opposite sex. society at the time, conveniently decided that a ‘proper woman’ should not be seen on the beach in her bathing suit. so The four-wheeled bathing machine would be rolled out to sea, usually by horse or sometimes human power and hauled back in when the lady of leisure signalled to the driver by raising a small flag attached to the roof. 

Some machines were equipped with a canvas tent lowered from the seaside door at the back, giving the bather greater privacy as they descended into the murky waters of blackpool beach for a paddle.

Hi folks, Its not often a story truly affects you, but Today we have a story so Tragic it is almost hard to comprehend it actually happened. But it did, this is a true story of how a Widowed lady from the town of accrington in hyndburn, with a beautiful young child, met a man, who’s violent and twisted anger caused him to undertake an act so gruesome, it left the beautiful little child with such horrific injuries that would affect the rest of her life. 

Poor little Agnes, For the rest of her life she had to 'get by' on a day-to-day basis. 

She married and lived to a good age, finally residing in the Barnfield area of the town. 

Local children knew her as 'The lady with no hands!' though it's unlikely any of them knew the true story behind her disability. 

Hi Folks, I have recently discovered this horrific story and I just had to cover it. 

A Tragic Accident happened in Freckleton village near Preston in Lancashire. 

At 10.30am on the morning of Wednesday 23 August, 1944, two American Liberator B24 bomber aircraft left Warton Airfield on the Fylde Coast on a routine test flight, but as a violent storm swept in from the Irish Sea, one of the B24 Bombers crashed into the village of Freckleton killing 61 people. 

38 of them were Children, completely wiping out an entire generation in an instant. 

The B24 Bomber Aircraft hit a cafe then into the infant section of the holy trinity school with devastating results. 38 out of the 41 children and both teachers sadly died and were all buried in a mass grave in the Holy Trinity Church cemetery. 

Hi Folks, Today, we are going to learn the fascinating story about the Blackburn Giant, and how he came to be, and how, he sadly died, so join me as we learn the incredible story of Frederick John Kempster - known locally, as the Blackburn Giant. 

Born to Joseph and Jane Kempster, he was the second youngest in a family of seven children. Frederick's father Joseph worked as a milk carrier for the Aylesbury Dairy Company but unfortunately on Christmas day 1897 Joseph died of asthma and bronchitis at 50 years old. 

Jane, Frederick’s mother was left to support the children on her own and tried to earn a living doing housework and laundry. She moved her family to a one room apartment in Islington, but got behind with the rent and so sadly, was evicted. Jane applied for help at Barnardo's Commercial Street Shelter in the East End of London for the two youngest boys, Frederick and George. The boys were admitted to Barnardo's on 10 September 1898. 

Barnardo's, known in the 19th century by its rather wordy title: National Incorporated Association for the Reclamation of Destitute Waif Children, was established in the East End of London in 1866 by Dr Thomas Barnardo. 

When Frederick and his younger brother George came into Barnardo's care they were placed in, what was called, the Receiving House in Stepney, in East London. 1 month later On 14 October 1898, Frederick moved to Barnardo's Leopold House in Stepney where he remained for 1 year until the 23rd March 1899 when now 10 year old Frederick, sailed to Canada on board the SS Scotsman, spending 11 days at sea and arriving at St. John on 3 April 1899. 

6 months after arriving in Canada Frederick was placed with a Mr. Allen in the mid-western Canadian province of Manitoba. Frederick would spend the next 5 years in Manitoba. On 12 November 1904, aged 15, Frederick returned to England on board the SS Canada because he was unfit for farm labour. 

When he arrived in England on 21 November 1904, he was said to be suffering from a weak condition of the knees due to congenital weakness and lengthening of the internal ligaments of the knee joints and growth on the upper end of the tibia. Frederick had to have an operation and it was performed at Her Majesty's Hospital in Stepney. This was a children's hospital operated by Barnardo's. Frederick would have a lame left leg for the rest of his life. 

In April of the following year he was able to return to work at Barnardo's Youth Labour House at Commercial Road, East London. 21 year old frederick, now standing over 7 feet tall, whilst at Boys garden city, he was entered into the “Parade of Giants” which was part of The Festival of Empire, a celebration held at Crystal Palace in the run up to the coronation of King George V. In June 1911, he got a job with Astley & Co.'s American Circus at Chigwell in Essex. Just 2 months later In August 1911, he visited Barnardo's and reported he was in partnership with a travelling circus, and was doing well. 

This seems to be the end of his association with Barnardo’s. However, at some time before 1920, Barnardo's published a set of at least 4 postcards featuring images of Frederick, and noting that the former Barnardo lad was now probably the tallest man in the world. In 1914 Frederick and his travelling circus embarked on a world tour. 

While in Germany Frederick performed under the pseudonym Teddy Bobs. Unfortunately his return trip to the German Empire took a turn in August when war broke out in Europe. Frederick returned home to England safely and continued to tour the UK where he visited Lancashire for the first time, a visit that would change his life and legacy forever. Frederick was part of a sideshow attraction attached to a travelling fair in Blackburn in 1917 when he contracted influenza. 

Frederick's influenza progressed and he developed pneumonia. He was cared for in the Queens Park Hospital in Blackburn, it’s reported that the nurses had to bring 2 or 3 beds together just to fit him on. Sadly his condition didn’t get any better and his health deteriorated and Frederick would die the following year in 1918. aged just 29 years old. Frederick was buried at the Blackburn Old Cemetery on Whalley Road in Blackburn, Lancashire. 

Hi Folks, Join me as we learn the true story about Margaret Allen, from Rawtenstall in the Rossendale Valley. 

On August 29, 1948, an elderly woman was found battered to death on the streets of Rawtenstall in Lancashire. 

This would become the towns first ever recorded murder in living history. This is the true story of Margaret Allen, born as a woman, but lived life as a man, and called himself Bill, and struggled his entire life trying to find out who he truly was. 

Margaret Allen, was a troubled and gender-confused individual. In more modern times, she would have been seen as a transexual and could have sought the right support that she needed; but Margaret Allen was born in 1906 and lived in an age when people like her were not understood. 

Margaret becoming Bill was a brave and bold thing to do in those days, but in his case, had its consequences. Did the life long torture in her mind battling with her sexuality literally drive her crazy? Could this have been the catalyst that led to Bill committing murder? 

Hi Folks, join me as we learn the tragic true story that happened over a hundred years ago, while the nation mourned the victims of the Titanic disaster, Blackburn was gripped by another dramatic tale. 

This story concerns two young lovers, Alice Beetham and Arthur Birkett from Blackburn whose relationship came to an abrupt and tragic end. 

Hi Folks, Join me as we learn about the crime of the Real Jigsaw Murders and the Savage Surgeon, better known as Buck Ruxton, who mercilessly murdered his wife and housemaid and cut up their bodies into 70 pieces and discarded the remains in a ravine in Scotland. 

Join me as we visit Lancaster, Moffat, Kendal and Milnthorpe on a journey to discover the true story from beginning to end of Buck Ruxton. 

Learn why he did what he did at number 2 Dalton Square in Lancaster and his movements thereafter. 

On the morning of 29 September 1935, a young woman Susan Johnson glanced over an old stone bridge in Moffat in Scotland at the Gardenholme Linn to find the horrifying sight of a partially decomposed human arm protruding from a package. 

The package contained the remains of two women, who had been extensively and skillfully mutilated in an attempt to obliterate any forensic evidence that could identify them, and thus, the murderer. 

Hi Folks, Join me as we learn the true story about June Ann Devaney, who at just 3 years old met the most horrific and tragic end at the hands of a depraved and sadistic Blackburn man. 

The horrific true crime which took the life of young June Ann Devaney in the Spring of 1948 lead to a mass manhunt across Lancashire, with the public shocked by the murder of such a young child. 

The mystery of who the killer was led police down a winding path towards a mass fingerprint campaign across the town with months of processing prints leading officers to the door of one Peter Griffiths. 

Lancashire Police undertook the biggest fingerprint search exercise that had ever been done, officers had taken over 46000 fingerprints from men in and around Blackburn, before finally finding their culprit. 

Hi Folks, we have some major updates on both Florence, the moral defective who escaped Brockhall asylum and also the desecrated graves and memorial stones tossed behind the grave diggers shed. 

Thanks to the great community of Old Langho and Brockhall Village who came together and helped. Through the power of people we have managed to make a change. 

Learn the incredibly happy results and tragic results from what we learned in my last video, today I bring you the updates. 

I dedicate this video and my previous Brockhall Asylum (hospital) video to the memories of: 

Florence McLellan (Diane) Norman - Florence's Son Glyn - Florences Son The Hitman Family Each and every former patient buried at the Brockhall Asylum Cemetery. 

 Brockhall Asylum was opened in 1904 and was  originally built to house habitual drunks, and initially housed no more than 200 women. Then in the 1920’s the Asylum expanded massively, and formally became an institution for mental and moral defectives holding up to 2200 patients. Brockhall actually closed as an institution in 1992. 

Residents who had not been resettled into community went to live at its neighbour, Calderstones Asylum (or hospital) Just like Calderstones, both mental and moral defectives could spend their entire  lives at Brockhall Asylum, therefore it too would require its very own cemetery. So in 1939 the Brockhall Asylum decided to establish their own private cemetery in a part of the Hospital  grounds which was consecrated by the Bishop of Blackburn and sits alongside the St Leonard's Church of England Cemetery. 

When a patient died in the Asylum, their relatives were always contacted to take the body away for burial at home. If there was no response, the hospital took over the responsibility. The body used to be buried here in the churchyard of St Leonard's in 1932 this changed, The church and parish were concerned that the "respectable" dead of the parish would be overwhelmed by the asylum dead and decided not to accept any more patients who had sadly passed into their cemetery. As a result, the asylum had to fence off the field adjoining the churchyard to use for hospital burials. For the next 60 years some forgotten and abandoned person was interred, in an unmarked grave, more or less each month, in a field over the back. 

Hidden and shamed once more, with a final blow, even in death, both by society, and the parish church. When the cemetery first opened, Three days later, 47-year old, Florence Craig became the first person to be buried in the Cemetery, some of those who had died at Brockhall before 1939 were also buried in the Calderstones Cemetery. The Cemetery is divided by religious association into three distinct sections: the Church of England section with 399 burials, Roman Catholic section with 123 burials, and the the Other faiths section with 55 burials, a total of 587. 71 of the people buried in the Cemetery were under 16 There are some minor discrepancies in the actual totals, with two relatives who were not patients of the Hospital, actually being buried alongside their deceased children here in this cemetery. 

Hi Folks, join me as we learn the history, the travesty and the Journey of a young woman, who’s only crime was to have a child out of wedlock, thus becoming what was known at the time, as a Moral Defective, which resulted in not only her abandonment, at one of Lancashire’s most notorious asylums and becoming estranged from her family for 60 years, but the loss of her child, who was taken from her and adopted, never knowing his real mothers name, or the terrifying and life long journey she endured, and that still haunts her from BROCKHALL ASYLUM.

Brockhall Asylum was opened in 1904 and was  originally built to house habitual drunks, and initially housed no more than 200 women. Then in the 1920’s the Asylum expanded massively, and formally became an institution for mental and moral defectives holding up to 2200 patients. Brockhall actually closed as an institution in 1992. 

Residents who had not been resettled into community went to live at its neighbour, Calderstones Asylum (or hospital) Just like Calderstones, both mental and moral defectives could spend their entire  lives at Brockhall Asylum, therefore it too would require its very own cemetery. So in 1939 the Brockhall Asylum decided to establish their own private cemetery in a part of the Hospital  grounds which was consecrated by the Bishop of Blackburn and sits alongside the St Leonard's Church of England Cemetery. 

When a patient died in the Asylum, their relatives were always contacted to take the body away for burial at home. If there was no response, the hospital took over the responsibility. The body used to be buried here in the churchyard of St Leonard's in 1932 this changed, The church and parish were concerned that the "respectable" dead of the parish would be overwhelmed by the asylum dead and decided not to accept any more patients who had sadly passed into their cemetery. As a result, the asylum had to fence off the field adjoining the churchyard to use for hospital burials. For the next 60 years some forgotten and abandoned person was interred, in an unmarked grave, more or less each month, in a field over the back. 

Hidden and shamed once more, with a final blow, even in death, both by society, and the parish church. When the cemetery first opened, Three days later, 47-year old, Florence Craig became the first person to be buried in the Cemetery, some of those who had died at Brockhall before 1939 were also buried in the Calderstones Cemetery. 

The Cemetery is divided by religious association into three distinct sections: the Church of England section with 399 burials, Roman Catholic section with 123 burials, and the the Other faiths section with 55 burials, a total of 587. 71 of the people buried in the Cemetery were under 16 There are some minor discrepancies in the actual totals, with two relatives who were not patients of the Hospital, actually being buried alongside their deceased children here in this cemetery.