THE TRAGEDY OF THE DOLE - THE DEATH OF ETHEL BAMFORTH HIGH STREET ECCLESFIELD SHEFFIELD SATURDAY 18th FEBRUARY 1928
Sunday Sun 19th February 1928
Western Daily Press Monday 20th February 1928
The case went to trial. The Manchester Guardian dated 7th April carried this report of the proceedings
It is interesting to note that in the report in the Western Daily Press (Monday 20th February 1928) Ethel's sister said that the cause of the quarrels in the house was the fact that he had been out of work for 16 weeks and their only source of income was the dole. In that period his attempts to find work had proved fruitless. The quarrels culminated on Saturday afternoon when George announced that he was going into Sheffield to watch a cup-tie (see note 1). However in the The Manchester Guardian report (7th April 1928) there is no mention of any of these factors at the committal proceedings in Sheffield. Instead the motive for the murder of Ethel was Georges delusional belief that his wife had been with another man and he was jealous.
It is clear that the attack on Ethel was both fierce and frenzied. And the wound that George inflicted on himself after the attack was horrific. He was extremely fortunate to survive an injury of that nature. He was charged with willful murder which was a capital offence in 1928. but given the nature of the crime and the circumstances surrounding it, it was evident that George would be unfit to plead or even understand the proceedings. If at the time of the offences "he was incapable of knowing whether he was doing right or wrong." the he would be deemed insame
On Friday 4th May 1928 George appeared at Leeds Assizes charged with the willful murder of his wife Ethel Bamforth and attempting to commit suicide. He was found to be insane and unfit to plead. He was ordered by Mr. Justice Humphreys to be detained at His Majesty's pleasure.
I am not aware how long George served as a patient in a mental health facility but he was eventually released and returned to the Sheffield area where he died at the age of 70 in April 1969.
His children Hazel and Frank went to live with relatives as far as I can ascertain (1939 National Register)
George Bamforth !1898 - 1969)
Marriage Certificate for George and Ethel - 6th April 1920 Ecclesfield Church Sheffield
Ethel Bamforth nee Allison (1900 - 1928)
Note
1. The Cup tie in question was a local derby at Hillsborough between Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United. It was in the FA Cup Fourth Round. The score at the final whistle was a draw 1 - 1. The replay at Bramall Lane was a one-sided affair with Sheffield United running out easy winners 4 - 1. They reached the semi-finals that year before losing to the eventual winners Huddersfield Town in the semi-finals after 2 replays.
2. Baptism record for their son Samuel Frank Bamforth - August6th 1923 Ecclesfield Church Sheffield
3. 1921 Census
Name George Middleton Bamforth
Gender Male
Marital Status Married
Age 23 Years 1 Month
Relation to Head Boarder
Estimated Birth Year 1898
Birth Place Yorkshire, England
Residence Date 1921
Residence Street Address 93 Hesley Lane, Thorpe, Rotherham
Residence Place Ecclesfield, Yorkshire (West Riding), England
Occupation Miner Hewer
Occupation Code 042/6
Employer Manghams
Employer Code 030
Place of Work Scholes Colliery
Number of Children Under 16 1
Inhabited Y
Parliamentary Division West Riding of Yorkshire Pc, Penistone Div.
Registration district Wortley
Registration District Number 508b
Sub registration district Ecclesfield
Sub Registration District Number 2
Respondent R Bamforth
Enumeration District Name Wortley Rd
Enumeration District 10
Schedule 123
Schedule Type Code E
Household Members (Name) Age Relationship
Reuben Bamforth 28 Years 2 Months Head
Elizabeth Bamforth 24 Years 1 Month Wife
Joseph Donald Bamforth 2 Years 10 Months Son
Annie Bamforth 6 Months Daughter
George Middleton Bamforth 23 Years 1 Month Boarder
Ethel Bamforth 21 Years 4 Months Boarder
Hazel Bamforth 9 Months Boarder
The interesting point to note is that Reuben who was George's elder brother refers to George and his family as "boarders" and not brother, sister in law and niece.
3. Name George Middleton Bamforth
Death Age 70
Birth Date 1 May 1898
Registration Date Apr 1969
Registration Quarter Apr-May-Jun
Registration district Wortley Inferred County Yorkshire West Riding
Volume 2d Page 1784
Sources
Sunday Sun 19th February 1928
Western Daily Press Monday 20th February 1928
Lincolnshire Echo dated Friday 4th May 1928
Ancestry
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