James Corbitt
Encyclopedia
James Henry Corbitt was an English murderer hanged at Strangeways Prison in Manchester
by Albert Pierrepoint
.
Corbitt knew his hangman even before he committed the crime. At the time of the murder, he was a frequent customer in Pierrepoint’s pub "Help The Poor Struggler" (on Manchester Road, in the Hollinwood area of Oldham
), sang with him round the piano and called him "Tosh" while Pierrepoint called him "Tish" (Tish and Tosh were, at that time, common nicknames used between people who were passing acquaintances but who did not know each other's names). Corbitt knew about the official sideline of his publican. At the time of the murder, Corbitt was separated from his wife and his 11-year-old son, and had a mistress, Eliza Woods. In a fit of jealousy, he throttled her in a hotel room in Ashton-under-Lyne
.
In his memoirs ("Executioner: Pierrepoint"), Pierrepoint wrote about his feelings when returning to the pub after Corbitt’s execution: "I thought if any man had a deterrent to murder poised before him, it was this troubadour whom I called Tish. He was not only aware of the rope, he had the man who handled it beside him singing a duet. The deterrent did not work."
Pierrepoint goes on to relate Corbitt's final moments:
Pierrepoint goes on to describe how Corbitt smiled and relaxed after this greeting. After strapping Corbitt's arms, Pierrepoint says "Come on Tish, old chap", at which Corbitt goes to the gallows "...lightly...I would say that he ran."
The role of Corbitt is played by Eddie Marsan
in the 2005 film Pierrepoint
.
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
by Albert Pierrepoint
Albert Pierrepoint
Albert Pierrepoint is the most famous member of the family which provided three of the United Kingdom's official hangmen in the first half of the 20th century...
.
Corbitt knew his hangman even before he committed the crime. At the time of the murder, he was a frequent customer in Pierrepoint’s pub "Help The Poor Struggler" (on Manchester Road, in the Hollinwood area of Oldham
Oldham
Oldham is a large town in Greater Manchester, England. It lies amid the Pennines on elevated ground between the rivers Irk and Medlock, south-southeast of Rochdale, and northeast of the city of Manchester...
), sang with him round the piano and called him "Tosh" while Pierrepoint called him "Tish" (Tish and Tosh were, at that time, common nicknames used between people who were passing acquaintances but who did not know each other's names). Corbitt knew about the official sideline of his publican. At the time of the murder, Corbitt was separated from his wife and his 11-year-old son, and had a mistress, Eliza Woods. In a fit of jealousy, he throttled her in a hotel room in Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne is a market town in the Metropolitan Borough of Tameside, Greater Manchester, England. Historically a part of Lancashire, it lies on the north bank of the River Tame, on undulating land at the foothills of the Pennines...
.
In his memoirs ("Executioner: Pierrepoint"), Pierrepoint wrote about his feelings when returning to the pub after Corbitt’s execution: "I thought if any man had a deterrent to murder poised before him, it was this troubadour whom I called Tish. He was not only aware of the rope, he had the man who handled it beside him singing a duet. The deterrent did not work."
Pierrepoint goes on to relate Corbitt's final moments:
At twenty seconds to nine the next morning I went into the death cell. He seemed under a great strain, but I did not see stark fear in his eyes, only a more childlike worry. He was anxious to be remembered, and to be accepted.
Hallo, Tosh, he said, not very confidently. Hallo Tish, I said. How are you? I was not effusive, just gave the casual warmth of my nightly greeting from behind the bar.
Pierrepoint goes on to describe how Corbitt smiled and relaxed after this greeting. After strapping Corbitt's arms, Pierrepoint says "Come on Tish, old chap", at which Corbitt goes to the gallows "...lightly...I would say that he ran."
The role of Corbitt is played by Eddie Marsan
Eddie Marsan
Edward Maurice C. "Eddie" Marsan is an English actor.-Early life:Marsan was born in Stepney, London to a working class family; his father was a lorry driver and his mother a school dinner lady and teacher's assistant...
in the 2005 film Pierrepoint
Pierrepoint (film)
Pierrepoint , is a 2005 British film directed by Adrian Shergold about the life of British executioner Albert Pierrepoint....
.