WOUNDED SOLDIER'S SAD END KNOCKED DOWN BY MOTOR CAR

An inquest was held at St John's Iron Room on Friday morning before Mr V. Stanley Pinniger, deputy Borough Coroner, to inquire into the death of William Jackson, a soldier who had been serving in France in the Royal Engineers. It appears that the deceased had been staying with a sister at Sandleford, convalescing after being discharged from hospital. He went out for a walk on Wednesday afternoon, and was presumably returning home, when he met his death, through being knocked down by a motor-car. He was in a somewhat nervous state, and there is little doubt that when he met the motor-car he lost his head and got in its way. From the evidence it appeared that the driver of the motor-car, a mail van belonging to Messrs Stradling and Plenty Ltd, was on his proper side and going at a steady pace, and that no blame attached to him from the regrettable occurrence. Every assistance was rendered to the unfortunate man which was possible, and Mr Harry Smith of Woodbine, Burghclere, drove the deceased to the Newbury District Hospital in his trap, but he never regained consciousness and died the same night. Mr James Stradling was present at the enquiry, and the firm was also legally represented by Mr G. Gardner Leared. The jury, having been sworn, appointed Mr Harry Brown foreman and the following evidence was taken. Mrs Emily Hayward, wife of Nelson Hayward, gardener at Sandleford Priory, said the deceased was her brother, William Jackson and he was a pioneer in a Labour Battalion of the Royal Engineers. The deceased had been living with her since November 11th, coming straight from a military hospital at Southend where he had been treated for crushed ribs, the result of an accident sustained in France. Her brother had previously been in hospital, having pleurisy on one occasion, and on another sustaining injury to his head, the result of being run into by a motor tractor. He had been getting on nicely while with her. She last saw her brother alive on Wednesday afternoon between three and four o'clock, when he started out for a walk by himself. She later saw him at 9.40 pm the same day, at Newbury District Hospital, and was present at 12.20 (midnight) when he died. He brother had complained several times to her that the lights at night baffled him, and his nerves seemed completely shattered. In answer to the Coroner, witness said her brother was unconscious when he revived the blow to his head in France, but she did not know for how long. Thomas John Randell of West Mills, Newbury, motor mail driver for Messrs Stradling and Plenty Ltd., said he left Newtown at 6.10 pm on Wednesday evening and got into top speed just past Sandleford Gardens. His car was gradually gaining speed and as he approached the lodge he noticed a soldier about eight feet in front of him, and in the middle of the road. Witness was on his proper side of the road. The man was walking towards him and as he thought the deceased could see him he kept straight on. When about a yard away the man dodged from one side to the other in front of the car, and the right wing must have struck him. Witness immediately applied the brakes, and went back a distance of about twelve yards. He sat deceased up and sent a boy, who came along on a cycle, to fetch assistance. A man and a woman came from Sandleford Lodge, and in the meantime a cart arrived and witness asked the driver to take the deceased to the hospital. His car had two side lights burning, one being an electric light and the other oil. The man was quite unconscious and did not speak. In answer to questions, witness said the deceased seemed to be confused by the lights. He did not sound his horn as the man was approaching him. It was a very dark night. His lights shone about eight yards in front of the car, but the deceased wore khaki and it was difficult to see him until close to him. Dr George Alan Simmons stated he went to the Hospital on Wednesday evening at 7.15, and was then asked to look at a man who had been admitted suffering from concussion. He found him in bed, with abrasions to face and nose, and in an unconscious condition. He was obviously very severely injured, the symptoms pointing to fracture of the skull. He gave directions as to treatment, but did not see him again. The Coroner: Do you think from what you heard of the sister's evidence that the previous accident was likely to effect him again. Witness: Yes, I think it quite likely, and that his nerves were in a bad state on account of the accidents and illnesses he had been through, which would probably account for his behaviour as described by the driver. The jury returned a verdict of "Accidental Death" and expressed the opinion that no blame attached to the driver of the motor. Mr Stradling said he desired on behalf of himself and the firm, to express their very sincere regrets to the relatives on their great loss. Coroner also expressed sympathy with relatives.

Newbury Weekly News, 23/11/1916