| Notes: | MFP. Awarded the Victory and War Medals. Later Pte. Somerset Light Infantry. No. 31006.
Extract from the Aldershot News 15 June 1917. Aldershot Magistrates Impose Heavy Fine.
The determination of the Aldershot Magistrates to put a stop to reckless driving by young taxi drivers was shown at the Police Court on Thursday last, when Albert Edward McGarrigle and Alfred Corbett were summoned for driving a motor car in a manner dangerous to the public
Lance Corporal Sergeant, Military Mounted Police said on the 27th May he was on mounted duty going from the cross roads, Crookham, towards the Foresters' public house at 8.40 p.m and saw two motor cars coming towards him. Just before they reached him the second driver tried to pass the first, and the first driver increased speed and witness had to rider his horse into the ditch. He saw them over a distance of 300 to 100 yards and their speed was between 30 and 35 miles per hour, they appeared to be racing the whole of that distance. They were stopped at the cross 4roads. They were abreast when they passed him.
Was there any reason for these men to drive as you allege? No, Sir I should think it was mere bravado.
Lance Corporal Donovan, Military Foot Police estimated the speed as more than legal. Defendants were abreast 30 or 40 yards from the cross roads, where he stopped Corbett first. There speed was much too fast at the cross roads.
Thomas Ewan a postman residing at Church Crookham, said he first saw the cars about 100 yards from the cross roads. They were behind each other and travelling at a very fast speed, the rear driver trying to pass the front. Then the rear car drew up and they travelled abreast for about 200 yards. When they were stopped at the cross roads and told the would be reported, Corbett said he lost his temper because McGarrigle would not let him pass. McGarrigle only laughed. "It was simply wicked the way they were travelling," said the witness.
McGarrigle gave evidence that he was doing 15 miles per hour and when he heard another car coming behind he increased to 20 or 22 miles per hour. Then Corbett got in line with his rear wheel, but witness left him behind behind about five yards. Corbett was just going to pass him when he saw the mounted policeman and pulled away and dropped behind. Witness stopped at the cross roads to set down his fare.
Corbett also gave evidence and said he first saw McGarrigle on Norris Hill. He kept behind him to the Foresters' and beyond and then tried to pass him, but seeing the Corporal of Military Mounted police he pulled in to avoid and accident. His pace from the Foresters' to the cross roads was about 20 to 22 miles per hour. He was not making any attempt to race, McGarrigle. he passed the Corporal 300 or 400 yards from the cross roads.
Superintendent Davis: Why wait until the car was near the cross roads before you attempted to pass McGarrigle, when you caught him at Norris Hill? I hand't the change to.
Superintendent Davis: That's just my argument that McGarrigle saw you and wouldn't let you pass.
The Magistrates fined each defendant £4 4s and the Chairman said that when men drove in this way it was their intention to make them pay severely when they were found guilty. it was quite clear defendants were racing. |
