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).
Accident report involving a Graham Paige test car and a herd of calves on the Glossop to Sheffield road.
| Identifier | ExFiles\Box 113\1\ scan0181 | |
| Date | 21th January 1935 | |
| To Rm.{William Robotham - Chief Engineer} c. to D/L. X41999 21.1.35. REPORT OF ACCIDENT WITH GRAHAM PAIGE.. 21.1.35. I was driving the Graham Paige on test along the Glossop to Sheffield road in the direction of Ashopton when the following accident occurred. The speed of the car was 40/45 M.P.H. when there suddenly appeared out of a side turning about 50 yds. away, somewhat concealed, a number of calves, which immediately pranced all over the road. These calves were followed by a youth in charge, who gave no warning that he was driving them into the main road. I applied the footbrake to its limit and then grabbed the emergency hand brake hard on. I evaded three of them by pulling the car over to the offside of the road, but the fourth was caught by the front buffer rail, as the car came to rest. The rear off leg of the calf was broken at the hock. The age of the animal was about 12 months. The youth in charge was the owner's son and blamed me for travelling too fast. I, in turn, told him that he should have given warning before driving them loose on the main road, as they were all hidden from my view. There was no sign or usual indication of a cattle crossing. A friend of the owner's son came up after the accident and spoke of them being insured. I asked them about immediate attention to the calf and was assured by them that they would see to it. After exchanging names and addresses I proceeded on with my test run which finished at the Works. There was no witness, except the owner's son who remained at the side lane. There were no police or road agents involved. The owner's name and address being - Mr. Benjamin Eyre, Hayridge Farm, Woodlands, Ashopton, Nr. Sheffield. G.H.Ratcliffe, (Check No.2409), Expl. Test. | ||