WILLIAM SAWYER

ACCIDENT

A serious accident, the cause of which is at present unknown, occurred on Saturday to a man named William Sawyer, employed as a driver by the South Berks Brewery Company. He had taken a load over to Thatcham in the afternoon, and in the early evening returned through Ham Marsh Lane.

A young man named Tom Curtis, of Stroud Green, returning from Newbury, saw the cart coming along the lane in the dusk, and noticed something fall. The horse came towards him at a faster rate, and stopping it, he found there was no driver in charge. He proceeded along the lane, and found Sawyer lying unconscious in the road. Dr Graham happened to be passing, and he and Curtis carried the injured man to Ham Marsh Farm. News of the accident having been conveyed to Mr. Parfitt, he despatched a brougham, with Dr. Wyllie, to the scene of the accident, and Mr. D. Wheeler, of the “Rose and Crown,” father-in-law of Sawyer, was also quickly on the spot.

Sawyer was removed with all speed to the Hospital, where he was treated by Dr. Kerby. Sawyer remained in an unconscious state until last evening, when he showed signs of recovery and although still in a critical condition, there are hopes that the poor fellow’s life may be spared. At present it is impossible to ascertain the cause of the accident, and it is surmised that he may have had a fit, or been jerked off the cart by a sudden movement of the horse. Sawyer was a very sober man, and one of the most trusted employees at the Brewery. The greatest sympathy is felt for the wife, who is in delicate health, and the young children.

Newbury Weekly News 19 September 1907

Bk. 1899 p. 142 no. 8333

Buried 23 September 1907 aged 33 from Waterloo Place

NE15 (A)