I’m sure we’re all familiar with the scene. It’s one that crops up in countless TV crime dramas. The detective is standing in front of a large pinboard with pictures of the victim and the chief suspects displayed on it. She’s looking at photos of the murder weapon and other pieces of crucial evidence; perhaps there’s a newspaper cutting or two, or photocopies of some relevant documents. And there are pieces of coloured string, linking some of the items on the board, suggesting possible connections.
When I’m in the middle of a particularly tricky case, I often picture myself as a detective, staring at my own board, deep in thought, searching for the vital clue that will crack the whole thing open. I was working on one such case towards the end of last year where a giant pinboard would definitely have come in handy as I attempted to resolve the Mystery of Edwin Henwood.
The story begins
The story begins on 17 April 1852, when a young man called Edwin Alfred Henwood enlisted in the 19th Regiment of Foot. The regiment was temporarily based in Devonport, having returned from Quebec the previous year and was clearly actively recruiting at the time. Edwin was one of 15 men who joined up in the first few weeks of April 1852.
Edwin gave his age as 17 years and 10 months and, although this isn’t specified in the regimental muster rolls, we know
