I was browsing the internet and noticed this post. I realize it has been a while, but I thought I could add something that might be of interest.
My paternal grandmother was Sophie Whistlecraft, the sister of Joe and Ernie. Joe was indeed tried for the murder of a local gamekeeper, Charles Cornwell, and was subsequently found not guilty. This was because the gun that that was seized and entered into evidence was not the gun that killed Cornwell. The evidence re the gun was given by a Robert Churchill, known as the gun expert. A book on Churchill's better known cases was written by Macdonald Hastings, and this book became the basis for a BBC series that included Joe Whistlecraft's case.
Joe's brother Ernie was killed in a MVA as he was riding home from the pub one night, no doubt the worse for drink.
I hope this information is of use to you.
