Whistlecraft - a Poacher Family from Rickinghall

George Ruffels, later to be known as Joe Whistlecraft died in 1960.  Convicted over a hundred times, mainly for poaching, he was one of a notorious family who, nevertheless, are fondly remembered by many who knew them in Rickinghall and Hinderclay in Suffolk where they lived.  Known as the man who got away with murder, Joe still served over twenty years in jail, longer than many who have received a life sentence. This included three spells in Dartmoor.  His father and brothers were also regulars at both Ixworth and Eye Petty Sessions.At the start of this story, we meet Joe Whistlecraft in 1959, looking back on a long life. It is just months since his youngest brother Ernie has died and shortly before Joe will join him. Though these are not his actual words, I’d like to think he would recognise this tale as a fair reflection of the way…