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).
Internal report providing an opinion on the causes of 'Clark's Accident' and the condition of the driver.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 5a\3\ 03-page269 | |
| Date | 5th June 1930 | |
| x 5820. Hotel de France. Chateauroux. Indre. To Hs.{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair} From C.W.H. 5.6.30. RE CLARK'S ACCIDENT I have received your memo Hs{Lord Ernest Hives - Chair}5/HJ/2.6.33. In my opinion the accident ought to have been avoided. In the first place the crossing was well signed and the view of the cross road was not totally obstructed in so much as the car approaching the main road could be seen four lengths from the corner. 2nd There was no excuse in saying that he thought the car was going to pull up. 3rd Having seen the warning the car should have been under such control that it could have stopped at the junction of the roads. 4th the car should have been kept under control after hitting the approaching car and not charged into the bank, which did 90% of the damage to our car. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Clark is a person who's constitution is such, that he is tired out after driving 50 or 60 miles. R.{Sir Henry Royce} Pattinson will substantiate this statement. On the day of the accident he had taken control 20 miles previously and should not have been in a condition as stated above. The cars are not being driven any faster than previously. The men are not tired down to any speed. There has been no diversions that should have had any influence in the mens physical or mental conditions. The Bentley was a faster car and no accident occured. I cannot explain why having seen the warning sign there should have been an accident. I am enclosing R.{Sir Henry Royce} Clark's report and a report from R.{Sir Henry Royce} Pattinson, who had charge of the car. I appreciate your remarks re. the Insurance Companies attitude, which is only to be expected. I am extremely sorry that our reputation of six to seven years without a serious accident, should end with these serious occurrences. No doubt greatercare has to be taken to-day | ||