The Honeypot Killers

A visit to the Senior Historical Society at the Essex Record Office, 1st February 2005

Had A. A. Milne a darker, more serious side? The thought would surely never have occurred to Eeyore. Could the bear have really been a suspect? Hard to imagine! A visit to the Essex Record Office was in order for the February meeting of the Senior Historical Society. Could my curiosity be satisfied?

The incident that launched the story took place in Honeypot Lane, 'Plotlands', where Basildon now stands. Those who lived in the area had bought plots of land on which to erect a dwelling, often of very temporary construction. The soil could be 'sticky as honey' and was difficult to cultivate in wet periods, as it was when baked hard in the height of summer. Clean water and mains sewerage were not available throughout the area. At times of relative drought, water was scarce, often collected from rainwater or, when the need arose, from ditches. Drought conditions prevailed in the August of 1906.

The Buckham family lived at Sawyers Farm. The farm possessed a pond, and the critical water shortage had persuaded a neighbouring couple, Albert and Emma Watson, to ease their own death by gathering water from this pond, believing with good ground that they had permission. Robert and Richard, sons of the Buckham family, discovered the 'theft' in progress. Richard went back to the Buckham residence, collected a gun, returned to the pond and shot the couple - dead, after reloading. Robert and Richard were both charged with murder but after the incident their lives took distinctly different paths.

Richard, 19 years old, with limited intelligence and some history of mental illness, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death. The resources of the family could not support adequate defence counsel. Robert, 16 years old, was acquitted of the charge. Robert served in reconnaissance in the war; indeed, he served throughout the war, even returning to the front after recovering from a left-hand injury, the usual self-inflicted wound of the soldier seeking relief from the trenches. Robert earned the Military Medal.

Marion Hill presented the story with sincerity, and the sensitivity of an author. Her book about the brothers, The Honeypot Killers, was launched at the Imperial War Museum in July 2004. Marion Hill is the author of a number of books about 'new towns' and their residents. Among other publications, either published or expected, is a book on the women who worked at Bletchley Park during World War II.

But that was not all! The Senior Historical Society enjoyed the first showing of a generous film 'trailer', produced to invite the making of a film based on the book. Actors in period costume documented the diverse opinions on the issues, including the macabre calculation of the 'drop' by the hangman, one of the Pierreponts. Good entertainment!