12 September 1925 – Cecil Pegler and Arthur Harding

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From the Wiltshire Times on Saturday the 12th of September 1925

Cecil Pegler, 21, of Beverstone, near Tetbury, was killed in a collision between his motor bike and a milk float on the Gloucester Road, Malmesbury, on Sunday. His companion, Arthur Harding, who was riding pillion, is in the Cottage Hospital, recovering from concussion. It appears that Pegler, accompanied as pillion rider by Harding (22), of Tetbury, a farm labourer, was riding his motor-cycle down a short but steep hill in Gloucester Road, in the direction of Tetbury, upon reaching the foot of the hill, a milkfloat and pony driven by Percy Higgins, of Filands, near Malmesbury, came out from Park Road, which is a concealed turning, and tried to cross towards the left-hand side of the main road.

A view of Malmesbury looking up Gloucester Road with the entrance to Park Road on the right. The scene features historic stone buildings on the left, cars parked along the street, and lush greenery around the area. The road curves upwards into the distance.
Looking along Gloucester Road from the bottom of the hill. The entrance to Park Road is just in view on the right. Friday the 16th of August 2024.

The rider of the motor-cycle, apparently thinking that he could pass in front of the pony, attempted to do so, but collided with the shafts. Both men were thrown from the machine and a broken portion of one of the shafts pierced Pegler’s chest and he died soon after.

The inquest was opened on Monday evening. The father of the dead youth was first called to give evidence of identification, but he is so deaf that he could not hear and another son, Walter George Pegler, living at Oakdale, Blackwood, Mon., a miner, was called in his stead, and sent to the hospital mortuary to identify the body. He afterwards stated that his brother had the machine for about a year.

Dr. J. L. Maitland Govan, Malmesbury, deposed that about 4.30 on Sunday afternoon on the Gloucester Road, he found two men lying unconscious on the pavement. He ordered the removal of the men to the hospital, where he found that Pegler was suffering from a scalp wound at the back of his head, a fracture of the collar-bone, ribs and sternum of the left side. The collar-bone and ribs had perforated the pleura and torn the lungs, which caused collapse and death. The left hand side of his chest was smashed. The man died a few moments after admission. Harding would not be able to give evidence for at least a week. The Coroner at first decided to hold the resumed inquest on the 18th, but it was stated that P.C. Goddard, the officer in the case was due for his holidays, and the adjournment was extended for another day until Saturday, September 19th.

A view down Park Road from the bottom of Gloucester Road, featuring a road curving gently to the right. On the left side, there is dense greenery with a "Patrol" sign visible, while on the right, a stone building stands near the intersection. In the distance, a brick building is visible, with a clear blue sky above.
Looking along Park Road in Malmesbury, from the bottom of Gloucester Road. Friday the 16th of August 2024.

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