Caleb Cresswell Siviter (1893-1957) Ethel Siviter Nee Bradley (1895-1957)
What can you learn about the history of a community and the concerns of its inhabitants from the headstones in a graveyard? Answer, a lot as we discovered. Take the grave of Caleb and Ethel Siviter as an example, the headstone reads:
In loving memory of our dear parents Caleb and Ethel Siviter died 22nd December 1957.
The death certificates of Caleb and Ethel show that they died after being hit by a motorcycle whilst crossing the road.
A search of the newspaper archives revealed that the couple had been crossing the road by the junction of Hurst Lane North and Chester Road in Castle Bromwich when they were knocked down by a motorcycle. Caleb Siviter was then run over by a motorist in a Ford Anglia who failed to stop and died at the scene. Ethel Siviter died later in hospital. The motorcyclist was also seriously injured.
A further search of the newspapers revealed that eight road accident deaths had occurred within 4 months on a one mile stretch of road from Bacons End to this junction. The road had been dubbed “Murder Mile” as a result.
Despite the large number of accidents and fatalities the County Council deemed safety measures unnecessary. Residents from Kingshurst determined to take matters into their own hands, and with the assistance of Kingshurst Parish Council formed a safety committee to raise funds for a crossing and traffic lights and to increase pressure on Warwickshire County Council to assist with the financing.
By the time of Caleb and Ethel’s deaths the campaign had already been successful and plans agreed to install traffic lights at the junction of Hurst Lane North and Chester Road with work commencing early in 1958.
