The Naming of Gaskin's Wood

This is a case based in Hednesford, Staffordshire. There are differing accounts of the details, some of them lost to history, but I’ve tried to piece them together as best I can.  This is the story of the naming of Gaskin's Wood.

In 1913, Henry Thomas Gaskin married Elizabeth Talbot, and it appears that there were problems in the relationship from day one. Gaskin had reportedly suffered from psychiatric issues in childhood, and he had a criminal record as an adult, spending time in prison. After being released from prison, he was sent overseas with the Royal Engineers to fight in World War I.

Elizabeth in a white dress

While Gaskin was away, Elizabeth was said to have been promiscuous. She was alleged to have had a child by Monty Harris, a soldier at the nearby Cannock Chase Camps; she also had two other children who, sadly, didn’t survive.

Gaskin came home from the Great War in 1919, but it was too late to save the marriage. Elizabeth left the family home, but on the 19^{th of} February 1919, Gaskin asked his estranged wife to meet him near Hednesford Pool. Witnesses would recall seeing the two walking towards the woods on Hednesford Hills; this was the last time Elizabeth would be seen alive.

Henry Thomas Gaskin

Although no one can be sure what exactly happened between them, it’s known that Gaskin violently attacked Elizabeth before leaving her to die alone. Elizabeth had been 23 years old.

Gaskin later returned to the scene of the crime to hide Elizabeth’s corpse; he removed the head from the body, placing the body in a nearby culvert, and the head and clothing under the pond near the gasworks.

Photo showing where Elizabeth Gaskin was last seen alive

Photo showing where Elizabeth Gaskin's remains were found

It didn’t take Elizabeth’s family long to realise something was wrong, and they raised the alarm. The police checked around locally before turning their suspicions to Gaskin. He was held on remand and eventually confessed to the murder of Elizabeth. He showed the police where the crime had taken place, where he had hidden her remains, and provided a written confession.

Elizabeth Gaskin's funeral

Gaskin was tried at Stafford in July 1919. It was argued that he had had a mental breakdown and could not be held responsible for his actions; despite this, the jury found him guilty of murder.

An appeal was put forward, pleading insanity. This was dismissed, and he was sentenced to death.

On the 8^th of August 1919, Henry Thomas Gaskin, 27 years old, was hanged at Winson Green Prison, Birmingham.

Elizabeth is buried in St Peter’s churchyard in Hednesford. The woods where she was murdered became known as Gaskin’s Woods, and the name remains today.

It’s a tragic, complicated tale. When Gaskin was sentenced to death, there was a petition to let him go free because he was considered a war hero. Reading between the lines, it is very possible that he had what we would now call PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) – it wouldn’t be surprising when you consider the horrors of World War I. I am not saying in any way, shape, or form that it excuses what he did to Elizabeth; however, it could have been the catalyst. You can still walk around the area, on the doorstep of Cannock Chase, and it’s beautiful. But you can never quite forget the reason for Gaskin’s Wood.

As always, thanks for reading, take care of yourselves, and I will see you next time.

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