Friday the 13th

Friday 13th April 1832. The following week the local press reported the sad death of a groom, he in charge of three horses belonging to “a most worthy gentleman” passing through the city on his way to London. The youth was described as “a fine, handsome, and intelligent young man of the lower classes” – amazing how wonderful he was and yet they didn’t bother to find out his name – was obviously not sober before he arrived in Lichfield but was most inebriated by the time he left the city. As time passed his “drunkenness increased its despotic tyranny over him” – until 10 miles down the road he fell from his horse and to his death. He died from a fractured skull at 10am on the following morning, Saturday.

Tuesday 31st March 1830 and the coach named the Standard was en route from London to Liverpool. Leaving Birmingham for Lichfield, the passengers soon became concerned for the coach either travelled at a slow trot or a gallop, without seeming due care and attention being paid to the road conditions or safety of the occupants.

As they descended the hill of New Allesley Road from the toll gate, their speed increased until they entered through the city gate at a gallop. Coming to Spon Lane and due to turn towards St John’s Church the driver lost control of the now wildly galloping horses and missed the turn. Attempting to make the turn at this speed he only succeeded in overturning the coach, it crashing on to its right side. Six passengers were travelling outside (at half price) and a single passenger within.

After the crash four passengers were taken to the house of Reverend W Grindon, one seemingly lifeless and put to bed as blood was coming from his right ear – he died at 4pm the following afternoon having spent the interim in sheer agony. A shoemaker from Birmingham named Henderson had a dislocated shoulder; a seafaring man named Steele had many contusions to his head and body – both men were taken to a nearby public house to await treatment. Captain Ingram of the West Indies Regiment was the sole passenger travelling inside the coach, he received a broken collarbone and taken to the Kings Head Inn. The other passengers were not greatly injured and resumed their journey. Both coachman and guard received minor injuries.