Postman Mr William Browne Killed In Fatal Car Crash

[lulu81]

Was any info on this post found?

[ShaunJ]

There is a report of the inquest in the Surrey Advertiser of 27 May 1944 (page 5: "Admiral's car kills cyclist postman"). The accident happened on the Kingston by-pass at Tolworth on 20 May.

[lulu81]

Did it tell you that he had been impaired on iron railings and didn't die instantly. Curious to find out as he was my great grandfather and it was all hushed up.

[ShaunJ]

Did it tell you that he had been impaired on iron railings

Impaled? No. It says that he died of a fractured skull in Surbiton Hospital a couple of days later. Admiral Cunningham in his evidence said that he got out of the car after the accident and saw the cyclist lying just over the centre island.

Several eye witnesses gave evidence and the consensus was that William Oliver Browne had left a service road and crossed the bypass without looking to see if it was safe to do so. In those days there was no speed limit on that road and the Admiral was driving at 55-60 mph.

[lulu81]

Sorry yes impaled (predictive text).
He was flung into the air onto the railings. My grandmother recalls going into hospital seeing him in blood soaked bandages and being back in those days there wasn't the technology to save him.

[gralorn]

Gosh this was awhile back, but yes the whole story was researched and is now part of the family history.

[lulu81]

Very interested in this as you can imagine. Trying to find family members but to no avail. My grandmother and her family moved out of Surrey and lost contact with everyone now I'm trying to find out my family history.

[gralorn]

Why is this topic of interest and what family name line are you following?

[gralorn]

Really glad that you have made contact with a relation. She will be most helpful.