Talk:Green Bicycle Case

US vs. UK spelling
I did my best to stick with British spelling here, although I'm a Yank. I probably missed something; feel free to make appropriate corrections in this respect. - Jmabel | Talk 06:28, 23 October 2007 (UTC)


 * I have made a few such changes. One other thing I noticed was the reference to the lack of reporting of his prior offences. This may have been in accordance with British law at the time. Certainly nowadays prior offences (previous convictions) cannot be taken into account by the court until and unless the defendant is found guilty, when they may contribute to the sentencing stage. As such the publicising of such previous convictions during the trial, had it occurred, might have been prosecutable as contempt of court. (I am not sure what the law would have been in those days.) Rachel Pearce 09:52, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

His bicycle or her bicycle?
The article contradicts itself. "She asked him if he had a wrench to help with her loose freewheel. He did not have one, but offered to accompany her, which she accepted." If it's her freewheel (a bicycle part), and he accompanied her, then it was her bicycle. But it also says "...Light hid his bike in a closet". So whose bicycle was it? Art LaPella 22:22, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

I have been checking the facts of the case (Keay)

I think there were 2 bikes, dude. His was the green one....66.188.213.159 23:28, 28 October 2007 (UTC)

11 November 2012
Bella Wright had a ladies bicycle as described by P.C.Alfred Hall.

Ronald Light had a green bicycle a BSA model de luxe brought from Orton Bros, local agents of Birmingham Small Arms Co. in 13 May 1910 Cost  £13.13s.

Bella Wrights age
On other websites it states she was 21 if this is correct can it be added to her bio section.79.66.80.191 (talk) 00:00, 9 February 2012 (UTC)

Yes it can be (and has been now) - Annie Bella Wright, born 1897. Ned de Rotelande 00:30, 9 February 2012 (UTC)


 * ON her birth certificate Bella Wright was born 14 July, 1897, in Somerby, Leicestershire, England.  Daughter of Mary & Kenus Wright.
 * Died 5 July,1919. Age 21yrs on her death certificate.  Found dead and that the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head inflicted by a man whose name is unknown. Wilful Murder.


 * ALISON
 * I have been researching this case as I found it through family history and had to find out more about it and I know the area.

Revert back to 26 July?
I'm baffled by the recent changes to this article. I can't make heads or tails of the citation cited 77 times. Any valid reasons not to revert back to 26 July 2012 version? --Dennis Bratland (talk) 18:05, 22 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I entirely agree. Whoever decides to take on editing here might also want to look at my original October 2007 article, admittedly from a single source, but I think concise and to the point. http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Green_Bicycle_Case&oldid=166458783. - Jmabel &#124; Talk 18:12, 22 November 2012 (UTC)
 * In any case, though, the notice I received on my talk page proposing to delete the article is absurd. The case is certainly notable -- two books have been written about it! -- and "far too long, and needs to be condensed by a long way" is certainly no reason for deletion. - Jmabel &#124; Talk 18:16, 22 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I too agree. Looking at the duffs and a bit of googling suggests that Alison Keay has done a lot of research about this case and published it on a local history website. Unfortunately there appears to be a lack of understanding of wiki mark up and referencing to enable anyone else to take advantage of this research. NtheP (talk) 19:04, 22 November 2012 (UTC)
 * Entirely agree. I did a couple of reverts then decided to wait until she got bored and wandered off again. Nedrutland (talk) 19:52, 22 November 2012 (UTC)
 * 26 July version looks good to me. I say "go for it, Dennis." - Jmabel &#124; Talk 07:10, 23 November 2012 (UTC)
 * I went a head and reverted but I don't really like biting the newbies this way. It's clear they are trying to improve the article, and they have requested help at WP:NCHQ etc. I've left two messages at their talk page asking them to discuss here and work out the issues with their additions. --Dennis Bratland (talk) 16:10, 24 November 2012 (UTC)

28 Nov.2012 Hi. ALL Just found your discussions. Very Interesting. I am alison keay. Just for information I came upon this case through family history. My ggguncleWm was an architect and lived at GAULBY  where Bella was going to visit her uncle. (Good someone found my Leics.Villages) which is easier to use. I find Wikedpedia very difficult to use. So have given up. When I began researching a lot of information written about it was incorrect. For example CATTLE GRIDS  as stated by Donahue were not there in 1919 as they were then WOODEN GATES   and the bird arrived the next day as found by Sup H.Taylor.

No one had worked this bit out and the other point being the .455 bullet is far too large for the size of the wound 1 x 1half ins      Light was acquitted  because it was CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE. He told many LIES  He denied having a green bicycle but the four cycle agents found the identity mark on it which traced it back to him for the court. the plan of the canal was drawn by my gguncle Wm. I found "his bike" from NationalArch. and have a copy of it.

When you investigate the murder you need to stick to the FACTS of the case. Not just copied what every one else has said.

Perhaps it would be easier for you to Link up somehow to Leics.Villages. Gaulby page where my story is and photographs. There is no photo of Bella Here. There are at least two pictures of her wearing a hat with large brims. I feel there should be one of Bella Wright not just Light. Everyone just assumes he did it  but  lots of inadequate information stated

Sorry do not know how to sign my post  so   ALISON — Preceding unsigned comment added by alisonkeay (talk • contribs) 12:39, 28 November 2012
 * Alison, thanks for contributing. The problem with using your research is that it's just that, your research.  Unless and until the work you have done is per-reviewed and published somewhere reputable it's what's called original research and we can't use it.  I wouldn't dispute that what you have found you believe is the facts but there is nothing to corroborate that. NtheP (talk) 19:37, 28 November 2012 (UTC)

Light's Parents
Currently there is very little about Light's family. From primary sources (chiefly) I believe them to be George Harry and Catherine Louisa ( Clifton) Light who had married in 1881 in Keynsham.

George Harry Light of Park View, Granville Road, Leicester died 21 Sept 1916 with probate to his widow, Catherine Louisa.

Catherine Louisa Light of 54 Highfield Rd, Leicester, died 23 Sept 1935 with probate to a solicitor and Ronald Vivian Light civil engineer. George and Catherine are buried in Welford Road Cemetery, Leicester with two children https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175358936

If his father's death was considered a suicide I would expect to find reports of an inquest in the newspapers. The only mention I can find is the Leicestershire and Rutland Family History Society Journal 154, Dec 2013 http://www.lrfhs.org.uk/156.pdf "...  George committed suicide in 1916 by jumping from a top floor window of Park View."

It is also said that his father was "a successful inventor of plumbing devices" without a citation and again a search for sources is unsuccessful.

As there are currently no citations to reliable sources might it be better to remove all references to his parents? Nedrutland (talk) 14:27, 25 November 2017 (UTC)
 * Quite interesting, . I would have thought the link you added would cite as a reliable citation to warrant retaining references to his parents. Some of the information (e.g. a successful inventor of plumbing devices, or particular street names) can be backed up either in sources I have, or online? Regards, --Kieronoldham (talk) 22:55, 25 November 2017 (UTC)


 * By "Coalville-based colliery" I presume Ellistown is intended (from gifts at the wedding, etc.)? Is there a independent source for "successful inventor of plumbing devices" (that predates Wikipedia). Nedrutland (talk) 08:45, 7 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Possibly,, but it (the reference) doesn't fine tune geographically any further. I'll recheck all my sources, but what I have in front of me reads "it is understood his father had been the manager of Ellistown Colliery, near Coalville".--Kieronoldham (talk) 01:34, 8 December 2017 (UTC)

Americanisms
Early versions of this page were presumably based on a U.S. source; I have removed some (inc. recently cattle gate (i.e. in English, a cattle grid), police lineup (in UK, identity parade)  but at least some residue remains, e.g. "purchased the bullets and holster ...  for $6,000 " (I have not found a source giving the price in GBP). I am uncomfortable with the phrase that Light "attempted to make love to a girl 15 years of age" which means something quite different to a contemporary UK person but I am not sure whether this is an Americanism or an archaism. Nedrutland (talk) 08:37, 7 December 2017 (UTC)
 * As you likely already know, I'm British. Even though "Americanism" seeps through to UK English from time to time, we can both remove any text reading as such?--Kieronoldham (talk) 01:29, 8 December 2017 (UTC)

Donahue?
Who or what is the oft-cited Donahue? A title is needed. Nedrutland (talk) 10:25, 8 December 2017 (UTC)
 * That wasn't me who added those references, Nedrutland. I actually thought you may have added those references before I began to contribute to this article.--Kieronoldham (talk) 00:47, 9 December 2017 (UTC)
 * , from my recent edits and reference insertions, he's from Oregon?--Kieronoldham (talk) 03:48, 9 December 2017 (UTC)

... which might explain the vestigial Americanisms. http://billdonahue.net/about/ There is this Bicycling - Dec 2007 Vol. 48, No. 11 https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=wsUDAAAAMBAJ It has rather a lot of "colour" so sources with more encyclopaedic rigour and less journalistic drama might be preferred. I might need to do some flagging of "better" to otherwise unsupported elements e.g. "essentially feudal conditions" or just remove them. Nedrutland (talk) 07:43, 9 December 2017 (UTC)


 * There are now also citations to a 2010 article in Bicycling which is a republication of Donahue's 2007 piece in the same magazine. Nedrutland (talk) 22:49, 9 December 2017 (UTC)

Back-pedalling
A "braking system that allowed the rider to pedal backwards" has been added with a citation. I have marked this as dubious.

If the bicycle had a coaster brake then a rider could not back-pedal (unlike most cyclists) because that would lock the brake. Nedrutland (talk) 08:42, 17 December 2017 (UTC)
 * It's right here, . Page 146. If you feel it should be adjusted or removed, be my guest.--Kieronoldham (talk) 21:59, 17 December 2017 (UTC)
 * "a braking system that involved pedaling backwards" so it did not allow the rider to pedal backwards. Nedrutland (talk) 22:14, 17 December 2017 (UTC)
 * The original £5 reward posted includes the text "3-speed gear, control lever on right of handlebar, lever front brake, back-pedalling brake worked from crank and of unusual pattern." Regards,--Kieronoldham (talk) 22:41, 17 December 2017 (UTC)

Potentially Excluded Primary Source Material
The first police officer on the scene, PC Alfred Hall, commented on the case in person and by letter to crime writer Rupert Furneaux in 1955. Furneaux wrote an article on the case (never published) that PC Hall corrected and annotated, adding diagrams and directing Furneaux to key aspects of the affair. These documents were found in Furneaux’s files and radically alter many assumed facts, shedding new light on the mystery. At time of writing, some of these papers are on display at the De Montfort University Heritage Centre, Leicester.

Taking PC Hall’s written observations as being factual, the article as it now stands contains several errors and some major omissions. Further discussion of the suitability and acceptability of such material may be appropriate. ByNote (talk) 14:12, 6 July 2019 (UTC)

A few errors & misleading info
Is anyone in particular responsible for this page? There are three full-length books published on the case (Wakefield, East and Brown) and none are used as references, yet there are numerous footnotes to newspaper articles and true-crime compendiums; this detracts from its credibility. There are a few bits of misleading info compounding the problem. AMB, author. — Preceding unsigned comment added by Wikian7890 (talk • contribs) 20:27, 2 November 2019 (UTC)
 * We're all responsible for the page. You are more than welcome to purchase or otherwise use credible references to expand and populate the article.--Kieronoldham (talk) 22:59, 2 November 2019 (UTC)

Lillian Lester.
Can anyone tell me about the citation n6 which refers to Lillian lester having put her two boys in a children’s home. One of those boys, Sidney Wyndham Lester was my grandfather. Lillian lester married Ronald Light when she was 50 yrs old. Julieh5592lester (talk) 12:05, 29 May 2023 (UTC)