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The Times, Wednesday, Jun 13, 1928; pg. 13
GIRL CHARGED WITH MURDER.
When Edith Alston, whose age was stated to be 16, and her address Hobart Street, Burnley, appeared at Yarmouth yesterday afternoon on remand on the charge of attempted suicide, the Chief Constable said he had been instructed to prefer a charge against her of murdering Tom Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, boot and clog repairer, who lived in Albert Street, Burnley. Sutcliffe’s body, the witness stated had been taken from the River Yare. Detective Tuttle stated that when Alston arrived at Yarmouth yesterday morning from Holloway Prison she was charged with murdering Sutcliffe by drowning him on May 13, and made no reply. She was remanded.

The Times, Tuesday, July 10th, 1928; pg 9
“FOUND DROWNED”
At Yarmouth yesterday the inquest was resumed on the body of Tom Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, 34, shoe repairer, of Albert Street, Burnley, who was found in the river on June 9 with handkerchiefs tide to the buttonholes in his coat. Ten days before, Edith Alston, 16, of Hobert Street, Burnley, was rescued from the river with the buttonholes of her coat torn. She was committed by the Yarmouth magistrates on a charge of murdering Sutcliffe by drowning him, and also with attempting to commit suicide, but at the Surrey Assizes last week the Grand Jury threw out both indictments, and she was discharged by Mr. Justice Avory. In the light of these facts Mr. Geoffrey Bracey, the Deputy Coroner, closed the inquest and recorded a verdict of “Found Drowned”.

1928 – SUTCLIFFE Tom Greenhalgh of 109A. Albert Street, Burnley died 29 May 1928 at Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. Administration London, 14 July to Annie Sutcliffe, widow. Effects £205

Burnley Express and Advertiser, Saturday, June 16th 1928, Page 18.
YARMOUTH TRAGEDY.
FUNERAL OF THE VICTIM.
The body of Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, master boot and clog repairer, of 109a, Albert street, Burnley, who was found drowned in the river Yare, at Yarmouth, last Saturday afternoon, was brought to Burnley by motor on Wednesday evening and interred in the Burnley Cemetery on Thursday morning. The departure of the cortege from the home was witnessed by a large number of people who showed every respect. Adjt. Nigh, of the Salvation Army, conducted a service at the house and also officiated at the graveside.
The mourners were: - Mrs. Sutcliffe (the widow) and her two children, Mr. R. Sutcliffe (father of the deceased), Rose Bassnett, Mr. Hanns (brother in law), Mrs. Tomlinson (sister), and Mr. Tomlinson.
The floral tributes were sent by the widow and children; Mr. Sutcliffe and Rose; Mr. and Mrs. Tomlinson; sister Ada; Mr. and Mrs. Hanns, Mr. Mercher; Miss Knoles; and from an old friend.
Mr. F. Turner, of Master street, had the arrangements in hand.
Sutcliffe, it appears, had a bad attack of pneumonia about two years ago and he went to the Salvation Army Convalescent Home at Yarmouth for a few weeks. He returned home better but did not appear to be the same, being troubled with asthma and a weak heart. He often complained of pains in his head, and was never the same two weeks together.

Burnley cemetery – grave details for Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe

Grave - A14008 - owner Harriet Mahon [married women] of Bank Street

09.02.1916 Ada Hanns 39 yrs
14.02.1919 Mary Ann Holt 67 yrs
07.02.1925 Harriet Mahon 74 yrs
28.06.1927 Dorothy Heaton 5 weeks
14.06.1928 Thomas G Sutcliffe 34 yrs

It is shown as being a double grave with:

Grave - A14007 - owner George Hanns [overlooker] of Cog Lane

17.06.1901 George Hanns 9 yrs
19.02.1902 Charles Hanns 78 yrs
07.12.1906 Thomas Hanns 39 yrs
19.09.1908 William Arthur Holt 23 yrs

Thomas is buried with his wife's family judging by the information here. His wife was Annie Hanns.

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Burnley cemetery – grave details for Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe

Grave - A14008 - owner Harriet Mahon [married women] of Bank Street

09.02.1916 Ada Hanns 39 yrs – Bank Street
14.02.1919 Mary Ann Holt 67 yrs – Union Infirmary
07.02.1925 Harriet Mahon 74 yrs – Horace Street
28.06.1927 Dorothy Heaton 5 weeks – Hobart Street
14.06.1928 Thomas G Sutcliffe 34 yrs – 109a Albert Street

Birth
Date – 21st May 1927
Name – Dorothy Heaton
Sex - Girl
Father – William Heaton
Mother – Florence Heaton, formerly Alston
Occupation of Father – Mill Engineer
Informant – W. Heaton, Father, 30 Hobart Street, Burnley
Registered – 28th May 1927
Registrar – AA. Bellingham

Death
When- 25 June 1927
Where – 30 Hobart Street, Burnley
Name – Dorothy Heaton
Sex - Female
Age – 1 month
Occupation – Daughter of William Heaton a mill engine driver
Cause – Immaturity, certified by R. Wearing, L.R.C.I
Informant – F. Heaton, mother, present at death, 30 Hobart Street, Burnley
Registered – 27th June 1927
Registrar – A.A. Bellingham


It is shown as being a double grave with:

Grave - A14007 - owner George Hanns [overlooker] of Cog Lane

17.06.1901 George Hanns 9 yrs – Cog Lane
19.02.1902 Charles Hanns 78 yrs – Cowper Street
07.12.1906 Thomas Hanns 39 yrs – Jockey Street
19.09.1908 William Arthur Holt 23 yrs - Baxenden

From Burnley Express and Advertiser. Saturday June 9th 1928. Page 17.
MISSING BURNLEY MAN.
LETTER TO DAUGHTER FROM GREAT YARMOUTH.
MESSAGE AND MONEY.
Tom Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, clogger and boot-maker, 109a, Albert-street, has been reported to the police as missing from his home since Whit-Monday, and up to yesterday evening no news had been received of his whereabouts. Sutcliffe is about 40 years of age, and a married man with two children. On the Thursday following Whit-Monday, a registered letter was received at his home addressed to his daughter. The letter had been handed in at Great Yarmouth on May 29th, and it contained £7 in notes, and a telegraph form, on which was written; "God be with you till we meet again.-Dad." The Great Yarmouth police have been communicated with.
Yesterday, Mrs Sutcliffe told an "Express" representative that she had heard nothing further about her husband. At the time she was operating the finishing machine in the boot repairing machine.

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From Burnley Express and Advertiser. Wednesday June 13th 1928. Page 8

MURDER CHARGE
AGAINST BURNLEY GIRL
SEQUEL TO ALLEGED SUICIDE PACT.
Edith Alston, a 16-year-old, well-built, fresh complexioned girl, of 30 Hobart-street, Burnley, stands remanded at Great Yarmouth on a charge of the murder of Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, a 34-year-old boot and clog maker, of 109a, Albert-street, Burnley, who was found drowned in the River Yare last Saturday.
The charge is the sequel to an alleged suicide pact, Alston havin been rescued from the water by men on the steam drifter, Ocean Reward, and later on recovery having made a statement to the police to the effect that she and Sutcliffe had agreed to drown themselves.
The disappearance from their homes on Whit-Monday of Miss Alston and Mr Sutcliffe caused much uneasiness to their families, and later what was a mystery became a sensation. Nothing was heard about them until the following Thursday when a registered letter was received at Sutcliffe's home addressed to his daughter. The letter had been handed in at Great Yarmouth on May 29th, and it contained £7 in notes and a telegraph form, on which was written:-
"God be with you till we meet again.-Dad."
It appears that early on the morning of May 30 the girl Alston was rescued from the River Yare, and was detained in hospital until the following Tuesday, whenshe was charged in the Police Court with attempted suicide. Then a graver aspect was given to the mysterious disappearance from Burnley of the man and girl.
At the Police Court, Chief Inspector Bridger stated that Alston at first refused to answer questions, but after treatment at the Hospital and Infirmary she told the police that she and a man had arranged to commit suicide, had tied themselves together with a handkerchief, and then jumped into the river. She said she did not know what became of the man.
Alston was charged last Saturday with attempted suicide, and she was remanded on the police stating that a more serious charge would probably be bought against her.
MURDER CHARGE PREFERRED.
Yesterday Alston was again before the Yarmouth magistrates, and the Chief Constable said that since the previous hearing the body of Sutcliffe had been found in the river. He had been in communication with the Director of Public Prosecutions, and had received instructions to lay a charge of murder of Sutcliffe against Alston.
Detective Tuttle stated that Alston admitted after her arrest that she and Sutcliffe jumped into the river after tying the buttonholes of their coats together with a handkerchief.
The detective said that there was a broken buttonhole on Alston's coat and handkerchiefs tied to two buttonholes on the coat Sutcliffe was wearing.
A coat with two handkerchiefs tied to two ot its buttonholes was produced.
When charged prisoner made no reply, and was remanded to Holloway for a week.
INQUEST ON SUTCLIFFE.
Widow's Conclusions.
The inquest on Sutcliffe was opened on Monday.
Annie Sutcliffe, the widow, stated that her husband left home at mid-day on May 28, saying he was going to watch the cricket on a recreation ground. As he did not return, she came to the conclusion that he had run off with Edith Alston, as there had been trouble between them.
The widow added that after her husband's disappearance, she recieved a letter from Yarmouth stating "God be with you till we meet again" and enclosing £7.
The Deputy Coroner said that owing to the information from the police he should adjourn the inquest for a fortnight.
THE ACCUSED GIRL.
Mrs Sutcliffe had heard that her husband and a girl were last seen in a Manchester 'bus on Whit-Monday afternoon, on the Burnley Cattle Market, and when the girl Alston did not come home, Mrs Sutcliffe came to her conclusion that he had gone away with her.
It is said that Alston was a frequent visitor at Sutcliffe's shop, and learned so much of the man's trade that she was able to repair boots and shoes as well as he could.
A few months ago she was operated on for appendicitis, and during the convalescence she was employed by Sutcliffe as a messenger. She liked the work, but on her stepfather objecting very strongly in her following it, she discontinued it a short time before her disappearance.
Alston was a capable swimmer and had been a member of St MAry's school team.
Sucliffe, who was unable to swim, had two children, a girl, aged 12, and a boy, aged 10.

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Mel

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From Burnley Express and Advertiser. Wednesday June 20th 1928. Page 8

GIRL SENT TO ASSIZES

"NOT GUILTY" PLEA TO MURDER CHARGE

REMARKABLE REVELATIONS AT YARMOUTH

Edith Alston, the 16-year-old Burnley girl who was rescued from the river at Great Yarmouth, was yesterday, by the magistrates, sent for trial at the Guildford Assizes on charges of attempted suicide and the murder of Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, a master boot repairer, of Albert-street, Burnley, who was found drowned.

[From our Yarmouth Correspondent]
Great Yarmouth, Tuesday.
To-day, at the Yarmouth Police Court, Edith Alston (16), of 30, Hobart-street, Burnley, was charged on remand with attempted suicide and the murder of Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, master boot repairer, 107a Albert-street, Burnley on May 30th.
Mr F. Pearson appeared for the prisoner, and Mr. R. H. Pashley prosecuted on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions.

Girls Letter To Sutcliffe.

Mr. Pashley outlined the case, stating that there was not the slightest doubt that Sutcliffe and the prisoner were very fond of each other. He read a letter from Sutcliffe to the prisoner, which said: "I felt if you had asked me to go away with you or die together I should have done it."
It was, said Mr. Pashley, laid down that where two people mutually agreed to commit suicide, and only one died, the survivor was, in the eyes of the law, guilty of murder, and liable to be so charged.
Robert Boast, night watchman, stated that between one o'clock and two o'clock on the morning of May 30th, he heard someone call out whilst he was engaged in watching on board a drifter in the harbour.

How Accused was Rescued.

Witness added that he saw the prisoner hanging on to the vessel's fender, and with the help of another man he got her on board.
Prisoner stated that she had been in the river since eleven o'clock. When she was asked where she came from, she said "A long way."
Wm. Garrood, boatman, said that on June 9th his attention was directed to Sutcliffe's body in the river by passengers on a pleasure boat. He secured the body, which had two handkerchiefs in the button-holes of the coat.

Were Very Affectionate.

Sutcliffe's widow, who was much distressed, said she had known the prisoner and her parents for six years. For the last two years the prisoner had been helping her husband with his work. In December she became a full-time apprentice, and would be alone with Mr. Sutcliffe, witness being at work as weaver. Sutcliffe and the prisoner were very affectionate, and attended meetings together.
On May 20th, she told Alston that people were talking about her. She ordered her out of the house. On Whit-Monday, her husband left home at mid-day, and that was the last time she saw him. They had been married 13 years.

What People Were Asking.

Florence Heaton, prisoner's mother, stated that the girl was a daughter by a former marriage. In the middle of May, she took the girl away from Sutcliffe's employment and she told her that people were asking who was the real Mrs Sutcliffe. On Whit-Monday, she and her husband went to Manchester, leaving the girl alone. On their return, the girl had gone.
Mr. Pearson, on behalf of Alston, pleaded "Not Guilty," and she re???ted her defence.
Alston was committed to Guildford Assizes which will be held on June 29th.

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From Burnley Express and Advertiser. Wednesday June 27th 1928. Page 10.

YARMOUTH TRAGEDY INQUEST

ADJOURNED WITHOUT EVIDENCE.

Pending the trial of Edith Alston at Guildford Assizes for the murder of Tom Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, of Albert-street, Burnley, by drowning at Yarmouth, the inquest on the man was further adjourned yesterday until July 9th. No further evidence was offered.

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From The Burnley News. Saturday July 14th 1928. Page 16.

"FOUND DROWNED"

GREAT YARMOUTH VERDICT ON BURNLEY MAN.

The adjourned inquest at Great Yarmouth, on Thomas Greenhalgh Sutcliffe, master boot repairer, of 109a, Albert-street, Burnley, whose body was recovered from the River Yare, was concluded on Monday, no further evidence being given.
Sutcliffe, and a Burnley girl, Edith Alston, aged 16, whose parents live in Hobart-street, Burnley, went, it was alleged, in the river together and the man was drowned. The girl was rescued, and was subsequently charged with attempted suicide and murder. Both bills were thrown out at the Guildford Assizes, and the girl was discharged.
The coroner, on Monday, said he could only record a verdict of "Found drowned."

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Mel

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I'm curious as to why baby Dorothy was buried with Toms wife's family, especially as there seemed to be trouble between the two families owing to the relationship Tom had with Dorothy's 'sister' Edith Alston.

Date – 21st May 1927
Name – Dorothy Heaton
Sex - Girl
Father – William Heaton
Mother – Florence Heaton, formerly Alston
Occupation of Father – Mill Engineer
Informant – W. Heaton, Father, 30 Hobart Street, Burnley
Registered – 28th May 1927
Registrar – AA. Bellingham



When- 25 June 1927
Where – 30 Hobart Street, Burnley
Name – Dorothy Heaton
Sex - Female
Age – 1 month
Occupation – Daughter of William Heaton a mill engine driver
Cause – Immaturity, certified by R. Wearing, L.R.C.I
Informant – F. Heaton, mother, present at death, 30 Hobart Street, Burnley
Registered – 27th June 1927
Registrar – A.A. Bellingham

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Mel

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