In reply to Andrew_Tarr:
Ambergate railway station was operational in 1875 (opened in 1840's) and trains probably ran to Leicester or could change stations to get there and Thurmaston about 4 miles away from Leicester railway station.
Joseph Thurman (William's father) was a widower and had 7 other younger children to take care of. William was working on the Cromford canal as a Boatman when he was murdered.
His killer, James Walker (another Boatman) was tried in Nottingham Crown Court and Joseph turned up at the trial asking to be allowed to meet Walker in his cell (request was denied). The press reported that Joseph Thurman was a widower and a poor man.
He did not have two half-pennies to rub together and I think he could not afford any money for William's funeral.
Walker's mother was a widow (living near Ambergate) and she owned properties and I think she could have helped out with William's funeral costs but I don't know if she did or not.
Andy_T
