Murder in Crabtree Field

Burslem town Hall - Stoke On Trent

One shilling and sixpence
The wage that Charlie stole
Returned from Stanley Pot-bank
On route to Bycars Pool
It was underneath a willow tree
They spied the blood stain coat
In Crabtree field beside the cut
Young Johnny lay alone
The packers twine around his neck
He choked his final breath
Too young to face the gallows
Shaw guilty for this death
No remorse for youth in law
Down under for his crime
A life of toil hard labour sent
for the stealing of young life


This poem is based on the true story of a murder in Stoke on Trent in 1833. John Holdcroft was just nine years old when he was murdered by Charlie Shaw (15) a packer who worked at Hawley Pottery in Burslem, Stoke on Trent. A bloodstained coat, A footprint under a willow tree and the packers twine all led to the capture of Shaw who had stolen the boys weeks wage of just one shilling and sixpence (1s 6d) on his way home to Baddeley Green via Bycars Pool. Shaw was seen running from the scene with blood stained hands and packers twine in his hands. He was sent to Australia because he was too young to hang.

thank you for the fine book by Tony J Hollins for the inspiration. It can be purchased below

Staffordshire Murders - Myths and Legends