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On the A360 road into Devizes, just as you leave Salisbury Plain and before the village of West Lavington, situated on the right hand side of the road you will find the Robbers` Stone.
This is one of those lovely little forgotten curiosities, left behind from a moment in history.
The road at this point is very dangerous, and the stone is not easy to see so care is needed. The inscription says it all, although it is rather difficult to read.

If the event had occurred fifty years earlier, the 'felons' would no doubt have been hung. Even today if it were not for the traffic it would be a lonely place especially on a cold October night, hence the choice of this location for the story told below:-






At this spot Mr Dean of Imber
was attacked & robbed by 4 Highwaymen
in the evening of October 21st 1839.
After a spirited pursuit of 3 hours
one of the felons Benjamin Colclough
fell dead on Chitterne Down.
Thomas Saunders,
George Walters,
& Richard Harris,
were eventually captured and were convicted at the
ensuing quarter sessions at Devizes and transported
for a term of 15 years.
This monument is erected by public subscription
as a warning to those who presumptuously think to
escape the punishment God has threatened against
thieves and robbers.


Visiting:-
Once you leave the open area of the plain after having travelled through Tilshead towards Devizes, you come to Gore Cross. This consists of a dead end farm lane on your left, opposite a tank track on the right. This is the only place to park (should anyone actually be daft enough to go looking for this stone), it being located about fifty yards up on your right, at the top of the on-coming hill.

Co-Ords: 400875 151270 / SU 008512   

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