How Peer’s Son Died

Manawatu Times, Volume 61, Issue 235, 5 October 1936, Page 5

How Peer’s Son Died

Witnesses at the inquest at Home on Hon. Randal Patrick Ralph Plunkett (21) suggested that the reason for tho car crash in which ho died Was that he mistook a side road for the main one. Younger son of Lord Louth, his car struck a grass verge near. Honiton, Devon, recently and careered through a hedge. The speedometer needle of the wrecked car was stuck at 50 m.p.h. Ernest Cowiing, of Belle Vuecrescent, Torquay, a chafleur in the employ of the Devonshire Omnibus Company, identified Mr'Plunkett as Jus son-in-law, who married his daughter in February of this year. 'Mr Plunkett had lodged with tliedi.' . Mr. Cowling said that : Mr Plunkett, who’ was a very experienced motorist, left Torquay about 11.30 on Monday night to travel to Colchester to rejoin his regiment, the sth ianiskilling Dragoon Guards. When ho left ho was in good spirits and perfectly sober. Leonard James Higgs, garage proprietor, said that he was awakened at about live o’clock liy a Jorry driver. lie found tho car embedded in the hedge, and Mr Plunkett was still in the car, sitting in a normal position with one hand on the wheel. There was a small dog beside him uninjured. The verdict was accidental death. Several of the young man’s friends in Torquay told tho Daily Sketch that he had been on the evo of settling dowm to a business career, as his training as a reserve officer was nearly over. He had been negotiating for tho purchase of a public-house iu Torquay and looked forward to taking possession in a few months’ time. One of his closest friends said Mr Plunkett was a good mixer no matter tho company. ‘‘Gwen, his wife, is equally wellknown here and very popular. Since their marriage they were rarely seen except in each other’s company. They were a happy couple and so well known and liked that their public-house venture was certain of success.”