Tales from The Hangman's Record. Episode Forty. Herbert Leonard Mills - 11th December 1951 Lincoln

[@michaelc3051]

Steve, thanks for another terrific episode. It’s a strange one: a kid of nineteen commits a murder without any motive then deliberately gets himself caught. It seems he had a death wish. One for the psychologists I think.

[@davidglanfield7985]

The B&W is very atmospheric. Thank you for another super tale. Mills was an oddity but rightly no pity for him. Thoughts for his victim and her daughters.

[@lindarowney6319]

Another excellent episode....love the black and white introduction...very strange case but proves crime doesn't pay. X

[@derekstocker6661]

Another great episode Steve, what a strange case and what a totally deserved ending. That poor innocent lady, what a total shock she must have had with this absolute rotter. RIP Mabel.

[@iain4918]

It's nice to put a face to a voice hope everything is going well for you have a good Christmas 🎄

[@andyhudson3495]

Excellent as always. The black and white prologue and epilogue was a nice touch 👍

[@johnkorol6462]

Nice one I've been waiting for the latest episode

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Cheers John, was struck down with a rotten virus for a couple of weeks and it's put me behind schedule

[@johnkorol6462]

Love the history if the cases with the rope especially the North of England and Ireland wondering if you could cover the ones where the hangman went to Ireland after independence to be there man in Mountjoy ect

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I've got a file on Irish cases north and south of the border, hopefully I'll feature one soon@@johnkorol6462

[@johnkorol6462]

Nice one cha the case in Blackburn where they finger printed the entire town struck a chord as I was born there and iam guessing your not from far away with your accent Bolton farnworth is my guess ha

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I was born in Farnworth and grew up in Bolton, until I moved away a decade or so ago. Still a Lancashire lad though :) @@johnkorol6462

[@williamkennedy5492]

That 11951 paper shows a great deal of rain, no climate change then, Thank you for this video always well researched and delivered. Best regards Sisaket Thailand.

[@mikebennett3812]

Another excellent presentation. Thank you once again for a series that never fails to captivate.👌

[@jbos5107]

Steve I have to tell you that you look nothing like I imagined. I also want to tell you that I love the look and the atmosphere you've created. You look great Steve! I need to buy your book but I won't be able to read it unless it's in the kindle so I can make the text huge! I've really enjoyed seeing you Steve. Much love from an old lady in Georgia, USA.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Email me [e-mail] I may be able to help

[@BassGirlSusan1961]

Another interesting, well made video Steve. Cheers from Queensland. x

[@funkstrummer2151]

I've literally just finished Syd's book. Brilliant.

[@leemorris1360]

Another excellent presentation, Steve. I had not come across this case before - very strange and also very sad indeed.

[@samsum3738]

An excellent retelling of this vile murder . I agree Mills would have been discovered , very quickly as well . He was no perfect murderer .

[@tabsntoot]

what a strange character he were an evil bugger,glad justice took its course that poor woman was feeling young and carefree again briefly and that made me sad great episode

[@babaza1972]

Another superb episode…..love hearing these stories.

[@gareththomas6714]

i found this individual particularly disturbing-to do that to a vulnerable , lonely and harmless woman just to get attention makes me very uncomfortable and this waste of space got exactly what he deserved- yet another well presented and fascinating video-nobody does it better-i really look forward to these coming out now-please keep them coming compliments of the season to you

[@1089maul]

Steve, Thanks for another great episode, number 40. The new style of presentation is fantastic. Sad case on both sides. A brutal murder of someone innocent by a person who must have issues more than attention seeking! Cheers mate. Bob

[@Bob-tq2jv]

Exceptional channel relating to crimes of years gone by

[@jasonfazackarley6896]

Well done Stevie lad, another great posting. Keep 'em coming, always an enjoyable read, if one can take any enjoyment from watching a video about death and hanging!

[@IdeologieUK]

I love the new format mate! That FET makes such a difference as well! Great episode!

[@fatherglyn]

That photo of Mrs Tattershaw is haunting. She looks so shy and uncomfortable being photographed, very vulnerable. You can imagine her being reluctant to have her photo taken (aren’t we all at times?). How very very sad 😢

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I know exactly what you mean, I felt she looked so very uncomfortable in that pic too. Poor woman, one daughter taken into care, husband in prison and ends her life strangled in a field by an attention seeker teenager.

[@paulholloway1447]

Thank you for all your work, very interesting.

[@catherinedavies3727]

Your voice is perfect for this narrative. Thank you😊

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Thank you Catherine

[@arthurcarter5126]

Very well done this series goes from strength to strength l appreciate less well known cases thank you.

[@alanwitton5980]

Great video Steve! I'm learning a lot from watching them!

[@davidellis6337]

Hi Steve thanks for the programmes over the past year I wish you a very merry Christmas and happy New year Looking forward to the next couple case Kind regards Dave

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Cheers Dave all the best pal

[@ludovica8221]

I like the new format :)

[@gunnyhartman2]

Thanks for another great video.

[@john-k6k6w]

Nice One Mate Keep up the Brilliant Work

[@clairegreenaway9653]

Lovely to see you in person Steve !

[@gregscally5119]

Mills sounds like an English junior version of Leopold and Loeb.

[@JOHNOGRADY-un2ft]

Tnank you,nice to see a face to the voice!!

[@jonathanwaterhouse1]

Splendid sir. Thank you.

[@troybettles3007]

Another top notch episode. What a particularly nasty case.

[@angusrae8481]

Just got into this and can now find my late father who died in 1962 when I was four. This is fascinating to me and I shall urge my children and grandchildren to watch. He was quite a guy and trying to research his life. Now news of the world no longer, not much use! Any ideas? Angus Rae. Durham.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

email me at [e-mail] Angus, I'll see what help I can provide

[@angusrae8481]

Cool

[@warburtonpaul]

As you know, Steve, Pierrepoint was at a hanging in Manchester on May 8, and then in Winchester the following day for another. It makes me wonder about the man who saw it as a 'calling' and referred to hanging as a 'job'. I think it either says how professional or how callous he was - or both. Going from 'job' to job taking someone's life, regardless of their crime needs a special type of personality.

[@jameshogan6142]

I agree with you Steve that while justice may have eventually overtaken Mills, his readiness to report the scene and write about it was decisive in his detection and conviction.

[@robertmason6366]

The fact you have the same accent as albert pierrpoint gives your videos beautiful substance..I want to hear " he's a bugger this one" lol. From Rob the southerner your number 1 fan.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I'll see if I can shoe horn it into one of the scripts Rob :)

[@kevinkenny6975]

I'm his number 1 fan

[@pixidanberty5530]

Absolutely loved Actually seeing the voice of Steve Fielding! ❤

[@kevinkenny6975]

Brilliant again Steve. I really like the new intro.

[@express777100]

hi steve,i was watching a programe on gordon cummins yesterday and you was giving your opinion on the case, it made a change seeing the face of someone who new the case throughout. did pierrepoint get questioned about how long it took mills to die or was the death pronounced as instantaineous, keep up the good work.

[@jameshogan6142]

I think that would be the doctor's rather than the hangman's task. .

[@tatata1543]

I suspect the alarm bells would ring for the police the minute they read that story.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Absolutely

[@pennyeshua]

Hiya, I have only just come across your KZbin Channel and I am addicted to it. Have you done a video on Kenneth Strickson?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Hi, glad you are enjoying the channel. I haven't done Strickson yet as I don't seem to have a pic of him in my archive. If you go to my website www.stevefielding.com you can see all the videos in the series :)

[@claresmith9261]

Even though it wasn’t said it was very likely he raped her especially as he strangled her , an awful way to die as it takes longer than people think…. Poor lady, so sad

[@mrmods7912]

Another great video... They highlight how ridiculous the use of the death penalty was in the UK!! The last executions for murder took place in 1964. There where 296 convictions for murder that year, yet only one case resulted in the use of Capital punishment!! No wonder it was abolished in 1969...

[@matthewspicer1068]

Hi:) In 1964 there 296 recorded murder and cases of manslaughter not convictions - there were 44 convictions for murder of which seven were sentenced to death for capital murder .... Matthew:)

[@mrmods7912]

@@matthewspicer1068 sorry but that's not true! There where 296 convictions for murder in 1964.. As mentioned There was only use of the death penalty.

[@matthewspicer1068]

@@mrmods7912 .... where did you get the figure of 296 - I have the Criminal Stats for E&W in front of me - that has 296 recorded homicides, 44 convictions for murder of which seven were for capital murder - five were reprieved and two (Allen and Evans) executed .... Matthew:)

[@mrmods7912]

@@matthewspicer1068 I gave the figure of 296 for murder/homicides... Sorry for the confusion

[@matthewspicer1068]

No problem:) - my main interest in this subject is the stats/lists etc@@mrmods7912

[@davidellis6337]

Hi Steve another interesting one it appears that this one was cut and dried either he was tired of living or he liked the limelight Either way justice was served Looking forward to the next one hope you are keeping well and have a very merry Christmas and New year Kind regards Dave Ellis

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Cheers David, same to you my friend

[@daverickards7647]

Absolutely love your channel . As a Cornish man living in Gloucester .... has there been many hangings in Gloucester prison .just wondering .

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

There were well over a dozen featured in my books, the last being in 1939

[@valerielongmore5040]

Another excellent video. Yes guilty.

[@andysmith819]

Informative video. What a strange murder. Would you consider the murder of Richard Steed at Maypole (near Herne Bay, Kent) as a possible subject for one of your investigations?. I have a booklet that outlines the story if that would help let me know. Regards, Andy

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

If the killer was hanged between 1868-1964 I may cover it on the channel as I'm picking cases featured in my Hangman's Record book. Other stuff will feature in my Crime Casebook and Mostly Murder channels

[@andysmith819]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 I'm pretty certain the execution was in 1863. Perhaps you'll consider it at a later date. Thank you for what you share.

[@FreyaBastet]

Great work as always! Noticed the list of the 1951 executions at the end of this video - Dennis Albert Reginald Moore & Alfred George Reynolds, on 19 Jul 1951 does look interesting. A double execution for two similar but different murders. Can you do this one at some point Steve? Happy New Year!

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

The only thing stopping me doing the Norwich double at the moment is not having pictures of either of the two men

[@FreyaBastet]

Thanks a pity. I guess it would be a sealed record anyway ATM, but did they take mug shots of prisoners in the early 50's?@@thehangmansrecord2860

[@matthewspicer1068]

Yes and no - they are police mug-shots from this era but it seemed to me - at least - that it depended on the force involved .... as to records being open - what is available at TNA at Kew is highly subjective and each case could have as many as six different files - some open some not .... Matthew:) @@FreyaBastet

[@jasonfazackarley6896]

Steve, my man, it seems you're famous as I just watched a TV programme with Fred Dineage about Gordon Cummins , The Blackout Ripper, and you were on it!

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Cheers Jason, I've done quite a bit of TV over the years relating to the subject :)

[@JohnSmith-31]

Coincidentally Mabel Tattershaw lived on the same street as the young Dr Harold Shipman, Longmead Drive on the Edwards Lane Estate in Nottingham. I wonder if their paths ever crossed both living there at the same time.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Great piece of trivia John, although Shipman was only 5 when she died.

[@JohnSmith-31]

@thehangmansrecord2860 Another bit of trivia Steve, I live only a couple of minutes walk away from where Mabel Tattershaw was murdered. Also nurse Dorothea Waddingham lived on Devon Drive which is only a stone's throw from Mansfield Street in a Sherwood. Love your work Steve, thank you.

[@davidfelix2594]

@@JohnSmith-31 Bit late for a confession now John! 😀

[@roytetwart]

A very strange tale indeed. I thought initially that Mills had made a big mistake when he claimed he had found the body of a woman "Who had been strangled". He had no innocent way to know how the woman had died. Mills was a very insensitive man who deserved his fate on the gallows. A sound conviction.

[@jameshogan6142]

I agree that he got his just deserts but I feel sorry also for his father and grandparents who had to live the remainder of their lives grieving his loss.

[@Lara-xc1mf]

I do agree the case is extremely sad and purposeless. The young man must have been a very disturbed and removed from empathy individual, obviously without remorse. I am against the death penalty as judgements are rarely 100% but in this case it's very difficult to see it was undeserved regardless of the loss and grief incurred by his family. There doesn't seem to be any real discussions of insanity but it would be interesting to see what a couple of psychiatrists made of the guy? Thx for such an interesting case laid out so well.

[@andysmith819]

Hi, E#41 is showing as a private video? Regards, Andy

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

there's been a cock up with the premiering - it's now live

[@andysmith819]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 Thank you. Happy New Year :)

[@tgpok4r]

Hi Steve, sad in the stated report he made to the press he expressed his self of his feelings so well, this could have been a wasted life lost with his actions, was it just his 15 minutes of fame scenario? but what ever another great interesting story thanks

[@tomhirons7475]

good to have a face to the voice.

[@johnkorol6462]

Brilliantly presentation steve no shortage of head the balls back then as now

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

absolutely mate

[@arleneparris3446]

Punctuation?

[@johnkorol6462]

@@arleneparris3446 soz cha me English ain't me English well go get tha sen a hot dog and get in line an get tja sen a tung butty off market Accrington blackburn they will sort ya out alritee cocker

[@johnkorol6462]

I don't know if ya got me comment about Albert and the jobs he did at Mountjoy in the new free state and the Republic very interesting that the Irish wanted a English hangman afrtet the British withdrawal from Ireland in the 20s and after with dev ???..

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

@@johnkorol6462 hi John yes I did see the comment, sorry for not responding. My main issue with post free state Ireland is the lack of photo, not only of those hanged but also scene of crime, victim etc. I'm not saying i won't do something but it's not imminent

[@piplee1439]

Why is it so hard to find a list of hangees in Britain?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

It's not. They are all listed in my books The Hangman's Record and Executioners Bible. Details on my website www.stevefielding.com or email me for more details. [e-mail]

[@FredPilcher]

A fascinating series. But please could we have some official subtitles? The thick accent is very hard to understand, and even the speech-to-text system gets bamboozled.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I've addressed that issue. Check out my latest video at 7pm GMT this coming Weds :)

[@1951GL]

Did anyone notice the pitiful items stolen which had put Mrs Tattershaw's husband in prison? There would be two a week in my local Co op and most shop assistants have given up trying to protect stock from groups of thieves.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

He also broke into a cinema in Derby

[@philipinchina]

Intriguing.

[@chipbuttytime3396]

When are you uploading the Grimly Fiendish episode?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Damned if I know :)

[@chipbuttytime3396]

Impressive👏 @@thehangmansrecord2860

[@tango6nf477]

Although not insane Mills had some serious personality problems making him a very dangerous individual. His main motive seems to have been desperation to be noticed and receive attention. Evidence doesn't seem to have been be strong, and a confession is never enough to convict alone, I suspect that the defence wasn't as good as it might have been? Your videos get better Steve I hope that you have recovered from the dreaded lurgee, take care..

[@jameshogan6142]

Yes if the defence had brought in an expert witness i.e. a psychiatrist the Home Secretary would have had to have him assessed as with Miles Gifford.

[@alastairgreen6783]

Something cannot be most unique. Something is unique or it is not. There are no gradations of uniqueness.

[@Kw1161]

Do you cover the British hangman who executed the US Army military prisoners during WWII? Thanks and have a nice day.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Yes i have something planned for this

[@Kw1161]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 Thanks for your reply!

[@JohnDavies-cn3ro]

A sad story, and not one which I'd heard of before. The News of the World strapline, as I remember, was 'All Human Life Is There', duly portrayed by Eric Sykes and Hattie Jaques! Life, and in this case, death. Had Mills committed it today I imagine the psychiatrists opinions would have weighed quite heavily in the evidence - his total lack of empathy, feeling and humanity, together with his egotistic behaviour suggest something very seriously wrong in the socio or psychopathic lines. Oh, the irony - his ending in the same prison block as his victim's husband who, presumably was unaware of his crime? It reminds me of the nasty little child serial killer who, having been seen abducting a girl from a fairground was stopped and arrested at a police road block - by her father. Had he known it was his own daughter tied up in the back of the van, ...... it says a lot for that man's self control.

[@JonfitzFitzjohn-k6s]

Spot On Mate

[@stephenholmes1036]

Royston Rickard was a toffee maker his employers didnt mind. Royston Rickard would not comment ever to the press or people outside family..

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I thought he had once worked as a toy maker

[@stephenholmes1036]

​@thehangmansrecord2860 Roy was a toffee maker he was from Kent. People used to say he looked a bit like Stewart Granger the actor. He died in June 1999.

[@jameshogan6142]

He brought murderers to a sticky end.

[@Pip818]

Mr Fielding, great work as ever but may I please ask a philosophical question? Regarding the "perfect murder" you opine that such a crime would only be known to the killer and, certainly, that is one route but is another where a murder is clearly committed but no solution is found also worthy of the title? Jack the Ripper, Zodiac et al continue to fascinate. Just some musings, I guess. Great work, as ever.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Fair enough, I accept that... the identity of Jack the Ripper is open to the subject of numerous theories as to his identity

[@jameshogan6142]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 Do you have any short list of suspects. I see Charles Lechmere is the current favourite on many uploaded videos but the actual evidence against him seems very slight. In fact I would go as far as to say the opposite must be the case.

[@davidfelix2594]

The men looked a lot older back then, for a 19 yr old he looks like he's in his early 30's at least.

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

That poor woman. Where’s Robin Hood when he’s needed.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Probably still riding through the glen

[@mrmods7912]

I know it's quite a well covered case Steve .. Any chance of covering Edith Thompson and Freddie Bywaters? Keep up the good work!

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I'm working on a special featuring one of the hangmen involved in the case and will be covering it in that episode

[@mrmods7912]

John Ellis? ...

[@mrmods7912]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 John Ellis?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

@@mrmods7912 nope :)

[@mrmods7912]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 Leslie Stewart?

[@JohnnyPeacock1959]

I read Steve Dernley's book the hangman's tale. Its very detailed and quite funny in parts. If hanging is an instantaneous death then why did the executioners leave the body hanging for an hour ?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

That rule dated back to the olden days when the condemned person dropped just a few feet and often died of strangulation. It was one of the traditions, like the white cap, that was retained. When Pierrepont was carrying out executions in Germany after the war he would usually leave just 20 minutes. In the 1950s it was decided to take the bodies down once life was declared extinct but in 1959 a prisoner was taken down then found to be still showing signs of life so was resuspended on the rope and henceforth they would wait about 45 mins

[@jameshogan6142]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 Twenty minutes later still showing signs of life. Coo Lummy! Would the condemned man have been suffering for that length of time?

[@jrobertsoneff]

A bit odd no sex was mentioned at all ,especially from News of the screws ,or screws of the world as we called it.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Yes I thought that too. I think the victim was prepared to have sex with him as he said she lay down on the grass, but there was no sign of any sexual activity

[@davidbudge8359]

This guy might have tried blaming a one armed man for the crime.

[@anauldlad]

The new format is slightly disconcerting. I had imagined Steve as a really old Yorkshire man with some pit related chest complaint, not some goth glam rock stomper...😮

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Yorkshire man??! How very dare you :)

[@ludovica8221]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 LMAO :D

[@stevenmcghee6649]

Was the murderer of Hilda Edwards ever found?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Not to my knowledge

[@richardkick6708]

The killer definitely had an attention disorder and sounds a bit of a thicko

[@geoffreywaller929]

Hi Steve Another great story!!!!! Whilst one has to agree this man was detestable was justice done? I personally think he must have had a bolt loose, His actions in speaking to the press are far less than rational.....methinks justice would have been served better if he had have been deemed and packed off to Broadmoor.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I think there would have been more chance of an insanity verdict if he hadn't have tried to retract his confession. That seemed to imply he knew what he had done was wrong. I feel so sorry for the victim in this case and a young girl left without a mother

[@colinjennings3661]

This one is a very odd case

[@garethaethwy]

I know he was found sane at the time, but I seriously doubt Mills' sanity, especially to hang. Ah well, too late to do anything now I guess...

[@jameshogan6142]

I remember reading about a case in America where the killer got the electric chair. One of the jury said afterwards, "I felt he was insane but thought he should be electrocuted anyway".

[@kevinkenny6975]

Yep, never mind hey

[@johnkorol6462]

Oh eye the old plodder Lane Steve know it well good on ya

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I grew up in Morris Green, Daubhill

[@johnkorol6462]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 great to hear that accent my special lady is from farnworth I was was born in Blackburn grew up in Clitheroe and landed in Preston mad how us in the North av so many head the balls big lack of scoucers on the hangman's list tho

[@johnkorol6462]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 iam told realibly it's pronounced dub Hill ha me being a posh bastard chucked in the A

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

@@johnkorol6462 it's pronounced Dobul :)

[@johnkorol6462]

@@thehangmansrecord2860 that's what I said ha

[@techElephant]

Thank you Steve - such a ludicrous tragedy. Just one thing, if I might point out, that of of the lawyers / barristers is referred to as 'Q.C.' when surely this would have been 'K.C.' in 1951?

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

Yes of course you are correct they would be KC while King George was on the throne. Have I made a typo with one of them?

[@markstevens3999]

I heard that Herbert Allen stole Mills Jumper.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

I think I first mentioned it in my book The Executioner's Bible in 2007. I saw it noted in a diary or papers of either Pierrepoint or Harry B Allen but I couldn't find it in my archives when I was looking last week.

[@richardshowers]

25 minutes to reach a decision?, whatever the evidence, surely a mans life deserves a little more consideration.

[@thehangmansrecord2860]

They must have been clearly satisfied with the evidence and all reached the same verdict. At least they left the courtroom to debate their verdict, in some cases I've covered the jury haven't even left their seats to inform the foreman of their verdict

[@matthewspicer1068]

In this era a deliberation over an hour was a long time ....

[@kevinkenny6975]

Too long if you ask me

[@simonclark29041978]

Another good video