Some history of the Lee Bridge Tavern on Dudley Road at Winson Green in Birmingham in the county of Warwickshire

Birmingham | Dudley Road | Lee Bridge Tavern

An imposing structure on the corner of Heath Street, the Lee Bridge Tavern bears the date of 1919 on the corner gable. The attractive red-brick and terracotta building was erected for Mitchell's and Butler's, the firm surrendering the licences of some older boozers in the city in order to get this new construction sanctioned. A document from Cape Hill lists the value of these surrendered licences at £4,299 but, frustratingly, the names of the properties are not included.

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© Image from author's photographic archive. DO NOT COPY

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"At about a quarter past one o'clock yesterday afternoon, a man came by his death in a shocking manner, at Lee Bridge, about midway between Edgbaston and Soho Stations on the Stour Valley Line. It appears that the train from Liverpool, due at Birmingham at 1.30, was proceeding at a moderate speed between the above stations, when the driver observed a man standing on the centre of the line, looking in the direction of the train. He immediately whistled, but the man paid no attention, and then he shut off the steam. The train had, however, by this time, got to within a few yards of where the man was standing, and before it could be stopped it had gone over him. As soon as it was brought to a standstill, the guard and driver returned to where the poor fellow was lying, when they found that he was not only quite dead, but also mutilated in a shocking manner. His head and face were so shattered that it was almost impossible to distinguish his features, and his arms were also frightfully torn and mangled. Assistance having been procured, the body was removed to the house of Mr. James Haynes, the Birmingham Arms, Spring Hill, where it now lies awaiting the Coroner's inquest. Deceased was respectably dressed in a suit of dark clothes, with Wellington boots, and appeared to be about 50 years of age. The name "T" or "E. Parsons" was found written on the lining of his hat, but beyond that there was nothing found about his person to give any clue to his identity. There is every reason to believe that he had premeditated self-destruction, as he stood with his face to the engine, and must have seen the train approaching."
"Supposed Suicide near Lee Bridge"
Birmingham Daily Post : November 21st 1862 Page 2

"Some alarm and excitement prevailed in the neighbourhood of Lee Bridge, Spring Hill, yesterday morning, in consequence of a report that a woman had drowned herself in the canal. It appears that some clothes belonging to a female were found upon the footway leading from the end of the bridge to the towing path, and were removed by the police to the Kenyon Street Station for the inspection of any persons who may know of the recent disappearance of any female. The clothes consist of a brown stuff dress, a green skirt, a pair of stays, a pair of black woollen stockings, a pair of old boots, and a hair net, and the fragments of an old bonnet. All the clothes were much worn. Footprints were noticed from the spot where the clothes were found to the edge of the canal. It was reported that a patient had escaped from the Lunatic Asylum but on enquiry this was found to be untrue. The police were occupied for a considerable time dragging the canal, but did not succeed in finding the body of any person; but this might be accounted for by the fact that there were a number of boats passing and re-passing, and the action of the water would be likely to drift a body some distance away."
"Supposed Suicide"
Birmingham Daily Post : October 21st 1863

"At about half-past seven o'clock yesterday morning the body of a woman was found in the canal near the Lee Bridge, Dudley Road. She was wearing a black skirt and brown checked ulster. The body removed to the Kenyon Street Mortuary, and Dr. Vince, who was called in, stated that the body had been in the water for some days."
"Found Drowned"
Birmingham Daily Post : March 28th 1888

"Shortly before three o'clock yesterday afternoon a respectably dressed man committed suicide in Dudley Road, by jumping from the parapet of Lee Bridge. He struck the towing-path with fearful force, and his head was terribly injured, being almost smashed. Police Constable Godfrey was fetched, and conveyed the body to the Kenyon Street mortuary, where it was identified last evening as that of Henry Hernshaw, aged sixty-two, who lived at 100, Steward Street. Deceased had been under medical treatment for nine weeks past, and it is supposed this unhinged his mind."
"Determined Suicide in Dudley Road"
Birmingham Daily Post : May 8th 1889 Page 4

"An inquest was held upon the body of Henry Hernshaw [62], 1 Steward Street. The deceased was a machine-fitter in the employ of Mr. Josiah Pomphrey. At one time he earned 30 shillings a week, but eighteen months ago his wages were lowered 10 shillings, which troubled him a great deal. He had suffered severely from bronchitis, and had recently been very strange in his behaviour. On Tuesday he left home and made his way to the Dudley Road. He then climbed over the parapet of Lee Bridge and, letting go of his hold, fell on to the embankment thirty-two feet below, being killed instantaneously. The jury returned a verdict of "Suicide whilst temporarily insane."
"Inquest in Birmingham"
Birmingham Daily Post : May 11th 1889

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