I was wondering if anybody could help me out on this. My Great Great Uncle, Alfred Priest, died on the 24th May 1964 in a Car Crash in Aylton, Herefordshire and am looking for information regarding this.
He was born in 1935 in Cradley to James Priest Snr. and Elsie Adams. He had a brother, my Great Grandfather, James Priest Jnr. (1924-2013). Growing up he had a hard life, his father used to beat him, his mother and his brother in a drunken rage most days and made him quite a timid and nervous man because of that. He was conscripted into the RAF and after he served his time, he moved to Hereford, where he worked at the Green Dragon Hotel in the 50s and 60s. Whilst living there, he was taken in by a couple by a couple named Herbert and Eleanor Watkins of 6 Kings Arce Halt, Swainshill. Because of his horrible childhood, he grew to call the Watkins', mom and dad. He also was believed to have have a Mental Health problems and possibly Depression. The rumour in the family was that he killed himself when he died and hit a tree in Aylton, whilst driving his car. My Great Granddad passed away two years ago, so I can't ask him anything about Alfred and his daughter, my Nan, doesn't know much.
Also, another fact about him is that his name was Alfred, but went by the name John, whilst living in Hereford. I am looking for news coverage of his death in the newspapers from around that time and because I live in Dudley, Worcester or Hereford archives is a bit of a jaunt for me, as I don't drive yet. So would anyone be kind enough to visit the archives and see what they could find? I would like to know more about him and his life in Hereford and hopefully, the circumstances of his death. I will try and attach the only photographs I have of him to this, as well.
Many Thanks,
Jack Fern
