ELSIE JEFFERY BELL

MOTOR CYCLE FATALITY

CAR AND CYCLE COLLIDE

NEWBURY YOUNG LADY KILLED

SAD END TO EVENING RIDE

Seldom has Newbury been more stirred and saddened than it was on learning of the fatality which occurred late on Friday night in Oxford-street, resulting in the tragic death of Miss Elsie Jeffery Bell, second daughter of Mr. Walter Henry Bell, architect of the Market Place.

The young lady had accepted the invitation of a friend, Mr. W.H.S. Applin, an engineer at the Eagle Ironworks, to accompany him on a trip to Marlborough. He was using a new motor-cycle, and Miss Bell occupied a seat on the carrier at the rear. They ran to Marlborough without a stop, and returned at once. They stopped only at Froxfield to light up, and were riding down Speen Hill into Newbury about ten o’clock. Coming in an opposite direction was a motor-car, driven by Mr. Painter, farmer of Peasemore, accompanied by two ladies. The motor-cyclist saw the car when it was near the “Chequers,” and being uncertain whether the course was towards Speen or Donnington, he took a sharp turn to the left, hoping to get over to his proper side of Oxford-street. The motorist was making towards Donnington, and unfortunately there was a collision, apparently not a violent impact, but sufficient to overturn the motor-cycle and dislodge its riders. Miss Bell was pitched to the pavement, striking her head and being rendered partially unconscious.

Help was speedily forthcoming, and Dr. Pearson, who lives close by, was immediately on the spot rendering whatever aid was considered necessary. Applin was much shaken, but beyond a less serious injury to the right leg, he had escaped. Miss Bell was in a more parlous plight. She was carried into a neighbouring house, and restoratives administered. She appeared to recover sufficiently to allow of removal to her home. Mr. Painter placed his car at disposal, and the young lady was seated therein, wrapped in rugs, and carefully tended by the other occupants. The doctor advised that the motorist should deliver a message to her parents that she should be put to bed in blankets, with hot-water bottles, and that their own medical man should be at once called in. However, she appeared to wonderfully revive on the journey, and on reaching the Market-place was able to leave the car unaided, go to the door, but thinking that she would be unable to enter that way, went round to the back. She said “Good-bye” several times, and appeared so well that Mr. Painter, thinking she had only temporarily suffered from a fainting fit, did not consider it necessary to deliver the message, or acquaint her parents of what had happened. Subsequent events proved that this was an unhappy omission. Mr. Bell was waiting for his daughter’s return, and his other daughter noticed her strange appearance. But she went straight to her bedroom, and said nothing of her perilous experiences. Applin called later, and Mr. Bell learned something of the accident, but not sufficient to arouse undue alarm. The mother sat with her daughter for several hours until she dozed off into what appeared sleep, but was really unconsciousness. The real facts were not ascertained until Saturday morning, when Mr. Bell interviewed Dr. Parsons, and learned from him the seriousness of the case. As requested, the doctor attended at once, but the condition was then very critical. Consultation later with Dr. Heywood, showed that an operation was neither justifiable nor desirable, and death took place on Sunday morning.

It is unspeakably sad that a young life should be so suddenly cut off just when a promising future was opening out for her. The deceased lady was particularly gifted as a linguist, had studied in Germany, and was contemplating a visit to France. As an amateur actress she had shown unusual talent, making a successful appearance early in the year in the C.I.B. room at Speenhamland in historic drama. She had considerable talent as a vocalist, and was of a bright, genial disposition. Her death under such tragic circumstances has caused great grief among a wide circle of friends. Widespread sympathy has been expressed with the bereaved parents.

There follows a lengthy verbatim report of the Coroner’s Inquest, with much questioning of the several witnesses trying to establish who did, and who said what.

The bottom line, however, is contained in Dr. G. L. Parson’s evidence when in reply to the question “….was there any possibility of saving the girl’s life?” he said “No, from the evidence of the post mortem I am certain she would have died.”

The Jury’s Verdict

The Jury retired, and after an absence of a quarter of an hour, returned, the Foreman handing a written verdict to the Coroner as follows:

“The jury found that the deceased met her death by accident. We think that the owner of the car committed an error of judgement in not delivering the doctor’s message.”

The Foreman said the jury would like to express their sincere sympathy with Mr. Bell in the loss he had sustained. Having lost a daughter himself, he realised how great it was.

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FUNERAL AT THE CEMETERY

The funeral of the late Miss Elsie Jeffery Bell, second daughter of Mr. Walter H. Bell of the Market Place, Newbury, took place on Wednesday afternoon at 2.30 at the Cemetery. The remains – in a polished coffin with solid brass handles, and name engraved “Elsie Jeffery Bell, died June 23^rd, 1913, aged 23 years” were placed in the open Washington Car which was piled with a profusion of wreaths, harps, and other floral offerings of sympathy from numerous friends, with whom deceased had been very popular.

Elsie Jeffery Bell cont.

The mourners were Mr. Walter H. Bell (father), Mr. John Bell (uncle), Mr. Robert Bell (cousin), Mr. Applin and a very large gathering of friends and old school companions.

There follows a long list of mourners and donors of wreaths.

Newbury Weekly News 26 June 1913

Mrs P. p 170 P(D)8

See also Wilfred Leslie Bell

Elsie Jeffery Bell died 22 June 1913 aged 23

(see also Wilfred Leslie Bell died 9 July 1897 aged 13 months (missing years))

A doctor was called and, as she had rallied, the doctor asked the car drive to take her home and request that her parents put her to bed, eep er warm and call their own doctor.

But Elsie appeared so well recovered by the time they reached her house that the message was not relayed to her parents and although her father saw her when she arrived, he had no idea of the seriousness of the accident.

Overnight, however, her condition deteriorated and, by the time her parents appreciated the gravity of the situation and summoned a doctor , there was no chance of saving her life The inquest returned a verdict of accidenta death. A young woman of “bright, genial disposition”, Elsie’s death caused much sadness amongst her wide crcle of friends.

The loss was particularly tragic for Elsie’s parents who had already lost a son, Wilfred, 16 years earlier. His name is on the small pillow stone at the head of the grave.

More nformation is available on our website:wwwfnrcnewbury.org.uk 
and in the Newbury Weekly News archives for June 26th 1913

Carol Brindley June 2023 - Friends of Newtown Road Cemetery