WILLIAM WARD

SHOCKING OCCURRENCE ON WHIT-MONDAY

AT WASH COMMON

A fatal event of an unusually melancholy character took place on Whit-Monday at Wash Common. It appears that during the past year a benefit society has been established at the “Gun” public house, which is situated at the top of the Wash-hill, just at the commencement of the Common, and on Whit Monday the first anniversary was held. The newly-formed organisation attended service at St. John's Church in the morning, when a sermon was preached to them. After leaving they returned to head quarters at the “Gun”, where dinner was provided, and the afternoon and evening were spent in the way usually common among clubs.

As it often happens a large number of persons were brought together and among the crowd at the “Gun” on Whit-Monday evening were several denizens of the “City.” A portion of the crowd appears to have been somewhat boisterous in merry-making, and between nine and ten persons attempted to force themselves into the yard of the “Gun,” which was appropriated for dancing, and reserved specially for the club members, their wives, families and friends.

At the time of the rush William Ward, groom to Mr. Sandell, seems to have come up, and, together with others, exerted himself in excluding the intruders, among whom was a young man named William Brindley, but better known by a nickname which took the place of the Christian name. Brindley, who seems to have been in a medium condition, being described by the constable who saw him afterwards as “neither drunk, nor sober, but worse for liquor,” appears to have felt some annoyance at the manner in which he had been ejected, and was desirous of resenting the scratch upon the nose, which he imagined he had received. Meeting with Ward a few minutes after he complained with an oath of his treatment, Ward's reply was most pacific, and should one would think, have expelled that foul demon which thirsted within him for revenge of a n imaginary wrong. No sooner had Ward expressed his determination of having no quarrel, but of having one glass of beer “and going home, please God,” than Brindley raised his fist and struck a blow which proved as instantaneously fatal as if the work had been done by a revolver.

Although the life of a human being had been taken way in the sight of a number of persons, yet such was the indifference, that no attempt was made to arrest him, and an hour was allowed to elapse before he was taken, sufficient time being granted him to make his escape, and baffle, if not defeat, the code of justice. Ward, the man who was killed, is spoken of as being respectable, steady, and well conducted, indeed, he appears to have been a religious man, and recognised for the past 17 or 18 years as a member if the Independent church at Newbury and Hurstbourne, where he lived previous to his removal to Mr. Satchell's situation. He appears to have felt an interest in this newly-established club, and had expressed an intention of joining it on the first meeting night after the anniversary, the reason for not doing so before being that if he joined then it would be thought he did so for taking part in he anniversary.

The inquest in connection with this painful matter was held on Tuesday at the Council Chamber, before Joseph Bunny, Esq., coroner, who was ably assisted by Mr. W. J. Cowper.

The following gentlemen were summoned upon the jury, and answered to their names: Messrs. E. Knight (foreman), H. Smith, J. Stacey, J. Gould, Sawyer, Godfrey, Goodchild, E. Stillman, T. Long, W. Bance, Edwell. J. Stillman, C. Nutley, J. Ayres…

[Not copied any further -for the conclusion see

Newbury Weekly News 9 June 1870

Not in Mrs. P

Burial record “William Ward, 9 June 1870 aged 47.”

Conclusion:

In Memoriam

William Ward - Groom

(c.1823 - 1870)

Shocking Occurrence on Whit Monday at Wash Common
Manslaughter at Newbury

William Ward lived and worked in and around Newbury, eventually taking up employment as a groom to Mr Satchel who owned a brewery in Northbrook Street. He was a religious man who had attended the Independent Church for many years

On Whit Monday, June ^th9 1870, William went to the Gun public house for the first anniversary party of a ‘benefit society’ which he was interested in joining. Although the yard of the pub had been reserved for those attending the party, a raucous and boisterous local crowd tried to force their way in.

William attempted to stop the men entering but, in the chaos, one of local lads, a William Brindley, believed that William Ward had scratched him on the nose. Riled by this perceived event, Brindey began to antagonise Ward who tried hard to pacify him and bring the altercation to a close, even suggesting he would be leaving anyway to go across the road to The Bell. But Brindley “mildly intoxicated, but not drunk”, hit out at Ward who fell to the ground, fracturing his skull. Death was instantaneous

William Ward was known as a “respectable, steady” man who conducted himself well. Census Returns from 1851 and 1861 suggest he may have had a wife and son.

Brindley was found guilty of manslaughter and served 15 months in Reading Gaol.

(William Ward does not have a headstone but is nonetheless remembered respectfully

More information is avalable on our website:wwwfnrcnewbury.org.uk 
and in newspaper reports from Newbury Weekly News & General Advertiser, Faringdon
Advertiser & Vale of the White Horse Gazette, Berkshire Chronicleand Reading Mercury

Carol Brindley June 2023 - Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery