Customer's letter about a fatal car crash and their concerns regarding the vehicle's braking system.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 47\2\ Scan243 | |
| Date | 19th March 1930 | |
| [Illegible signature, crossed out] s/W. {Sales / Derby Works} H. {Arthur M. Hanbury - Head Complaints} c. to W. [Illegible signature] [Handwritten: XU-11] WE [Stamped: 19 MAR 1930] [Stamped: RECEIVED] NOT READ THROUGH Re: Mrs. Merton. 46-G-2. I have had a letter from Mrs. Merton today inwhich she says:- "My husband has asked me to write to you and enclose this photo. I expect you read in the paper that our nephew Eric Lazarus, was killed in this awful smash. We do not know yet who else was in the car as we have had no particulars, nor are we aware of exactly how the accident occurred, but it certainly looks as though the car was being driven too fast. Do you think a sudden application of the four wheel brakes whilst swerving would cause the car to turn turtle? I heard of another R.R. which turned on its side on the Edgeware Rd. through a violent application of the brakes. I cannot help feeling that too much braking on the front wheels is bad. Perhaps you will get some of your engineers to investigate this accident as we feel that it should be thoroughly cleared up. If possible the driver should be examined as to what speed he was travelling and all details gone into as to the cause of the accident disaster." I have sent Mrs. Merton a temporary acknowledgement pointing out that I did not think this accident, nor yet the Edgeware Rd one, was anything to do with the brakes. I shall be grateful if you will kindly give me any information there is in due course so that I may know how to deal with the matter when I see the Mertons. Incidentally, I may mention that I have been at them for some little time to have one of the later cars with four wheel brakes instead of their present one, and was hopeful that my efforts were coming to fruition next Summer. It is therefore rather important to be able to reassure them on the brake question. Or. 17.3.30. | ||
From the Rolls-Royce experimental archive: a quarter of a million communications from Rolls-Royce, 1906 to 1960's. Documents from the Sir Henry Royce Memorial Foundation (SHRMF).