'Brutal' double tragedy at Ellington

Posted by John Dawson on May 18, 11 08:30 AM in Nostalgia

A shocking double tragedy occurred, which was the first of its kind in the district of Ashington, in the early hours of Sunday, January 2, 1921, at Ellington. The victims were 51-year-old Edward Gardner Taylor and his 31-year-old wife Beatrice.

Taylor was a soldier when he met Beatrice, who was eventually to become his second wife. After leaving the Army he rejoined soon after the beginning of the First World War, and became a sergeant's instructor.

Ellington in 1900. This is how the area would have looked at the time of the murder

Ellington in 1900. This is how the area would have looked at the time of the murder, surrounded by fields and farming.

They came to Ellington to begin a new life together with Taylor's son from his previous marriage and two daughters, Norah and Lilian. Taylor, who was addicted to drink, soon got a job at nearby Ellington Colliery as a rolleywayman, underground. Jealousy and drink was a problem with the relationship and many heated arguments occurred.

On New Year's Day, Taylor left the house by himself and went for a drink. After a long session he arrived home and complained about a New Year's Greetings card that Beatrice had received in the morning from her sister. He then accused her of having been with a man.

Taylor thought the best way to find the truth out was to send a telegram to her sister to see if it was true. He left the house at six o'clock to go to the Post Office only to find it was closed.

As seven o'clock approached, there was no sign of Taylor and Beatrice found her husband at the Plough Inn.

They went to bed, but soon after began quarrelling. Taylor said, "Who was the man who sent you that card?" and added, "You were with him on Monday night." Beatrice replied, "I'll bet you it was my sister May."

The two little girls, who were awake, were horrified to see their father push their stepmother on to the bed and kneel on her brandishing the razor. The little girls screamed and ran out of the room, awakening their brother, who went to the door and saw his stepmother lying on the bed with his father kneeling on her with an open razor in his hand. He ran out to seek PC Rattray, who lived close by.

When he came back his stepmother was lying on the bed bleeding but still breathing. His father was sitting up in bed, also bleeding; he looked at his son but said nothing.

James went outside again for help and met a man, James Hunter. They entered the bedroom but by this time Taylor and his wife were both dead.

In summing up, the coroner said it was the most brutal case he had ever dealt with.

Six Townships Community History Group website

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