The Murder
of
Uriah Womersley



Uriah Womersley was a warden responsible for watching the game of Sir George Armytage at Kirklees Park.

On the night of Friday 30th November 1827

during a fearful thunderstorm

he was killed during an incident near Robin Hood's grave at Kirklees Park.

A group of 10 watchers or wardens – including Womersley,

- armed only with sticks, attempted to arrest an armed gang of 14 poachers which included

and 3 others [from Cleckheaton].

Womersley died immediately from a fractured skull, another warden suffered gun-shot wounds, a third suffered head injuries from a bludgeon, and a fourth suffered contusions.

At the inquest,

Isaiah Bentley, Joseph Bentley, Joseph Brooke, James Scholes, and Samuel Smith and divers others were charged with Wilful Murder and were sentenced to be transported beyond the seas for 7 years

Sir George Armytage had hoped that His Lordship would show leniency towards Joseph Bentley, Joseph Brooke & Samuel Smith, but this did not affect the sentencing



© Malcolm Bull 2023
Revised 09:56 / 3rd January 2023 / 4214

Page Ref: X36

search tips advanced search
site search by freefind