Proof of Innocence?

[Chris Phillips]

Well spotted Chris.

I can almost hear the howls of disappointment from some quarters.

And howls of relief from others?

Don't get me wrong - as I've said all along, I think the fact that he was in Dorset on that day is significant enough. Of course for an actual alibi to be discovered in 2022 would have been quite satisfying, but it seems it's not to be.

[Michael Banks]

And howls of relief from others?

Don't get me wrong - as I've said all along, I think the fact that he was in Dorset on that day is significant enough. Of course for an actual alibi to be discovered in 2022 would have been quite satisfying, but it seems it's not to be.

I know some think that I’m desperate to keep Druitt in the hunt Chris but it’s just not the case. If the evidence surfaces to eliminate him I’ll say “well done,” without question and move on with no regret. Even negative news is positive. If a suspect is eliminated, whoever it is, it’s progress.

[Chris Phillips]

I know some think that I’m desperate to keep Druitt in the hunt Chris but it’s just not the case. If the evidence surfaces to eliminate him I’ll say “well done,” without question and move on with no regret. Even negative news is positive. If a suspect is eliminated, whoever it is, it’s progress.

Regarding train times, I just read your post on Casebook. If it had just been a question of the 6.02pm train being available, we wouldn't have been able to rule out the possibility that a record might be found showing that the game finished later than that. But the 7.58pm looks perfectly feasible, as it would leave more than a quarter of an hour for the change at Templecombe, and nothing I've read would suggest the game could have continued so late. (Not that I think it's at all likely any of this would have happened, but we can't say it's impossible.)

[R. J. Palmer]

There's an interesting old marker on the edge of Blandford with a reference to Hyde Park Corner. They must have associated London with zealots and cranks.

[Michael Banks]

Regarding train times, I just read your post on Casebook. If it had just been a question of the 6.02pm train being available, we wouldn't have been able to rule out the possibility that a record might be found showing that the game finished later than that. But the 7.58pm looks perfectly feasible, as it would leave more than a quarter of an hour for the change at Templecombe, and nothing I've read would suggest the game could have continued so late. (Not that I think it's at all likely any of this would have happened, but we can't say it's impossible.)

Thanks for that Chris. I missed the part about the later train.

Out of curiosity Id still like to know what time the game begun and ended but it’s probably unlikely that this information has survived.

[Edward Stow]

Here is the Bradshaws timetable for the northbound Somerset and Dorset Railway - useful for arrivals from the Wimborne (or Wareham) direction and departures in the Templecombe direction

[Edward Stow]

Templecombe was a rather small place for a significant junction. From what I can gather the Somerset and Dorset Railway trains from Blandford reversed into Templecombe Upper Station. The Lower Station having closed.

[Edward Stow]

This didn't post when I thought it had - the L&SW Railway Exeter to Waterloo line

[Gary Barnett]

This thread has moved on since I last looked in. Well done all!

The Exeter-Waterloo line is one I used frequently and I thought people might like to see this statute that stands alongside the platform at Templecombe. It’s apparently a representation of a railway worker with a copy of a passenger timetable in his hand. If Druitt had felt the need to get to London late in the day and didn’t know the best route to use, all he would have had to do was to go to the ticket office and ask.

[Chris Phillips]

This thread has moved on since I last looked in. Well done all!

The Exeter-Waterloo line is one I used frequently and I thought people might like to see this statute that stands alongside the platform at Templecombe. It’s apparently a representation of a railway worker with a copy of a passenger timetable in his hand. If Druitt had felt the need to get to London late in the day and didn’t know the best route to use, all he would have had to do was to go to the ticket office and ask.

Thanks. That outstretched hand looks such a tempting target for vandals.

[Gary Barnett]

Thanks. That outstretched hand looks such a tempting target for vandals.

It seems that originally the statue, called ‘Tempus Fugit’, was a sundial. I don’t recall seeing it as such. It’s on the disused former up platform and I’ve never got close enough to it to see the detail.

https://www.siobancoppinger.co.uk/work/8bf7e/

[Michael Banks]

It looks like he’s just burst into song to some woman up one of those trees.

[Gary Barnett]

It looks like he’s just burst into song to some woman up one of those trees.

For years, I thought the statue was of a local poet or composer. I’ve never alighted at Templecombe, so I’d never got close enough to see what the book was. Then I found a photo of the statue on the excellent Geograph website and discovered the truth.

[Chris Phillips]

Without having looked closely at the timetable, I should think this would have been a viable route between Wimborne and London as well - some of the trains from Templecombe were so fast - so I should think he would have been well aware of it.

Just out of curiosity I had a closer look at Bradshaw, and it varied according to time of day which was the quicker route from Wimborne to Waterloo. But the quickest one I saw was just under four hours via Templecombe in mid-morning. So I think Druitt would have been well aware of this option.

[R. J. Palmer]

That outstretched hand looks such a tempting target for vandals.

Or else the original sculpture was quite different, and a local church group insisted that the artist add a pinkie, ring, and index finger.