Many newspapers reported the involvement of a Hambleton family in a fatal car crash on 5th August, 1939. Walter, Florence, (Una) Beryl and Pearl left Walmsley House to travel to Norfolk for a holiday. Sadly at Sawtry on the Great North Road they were involved in an head on collision with a lorry and Beryl aged 11 years was killed. Pearl, aged 8, and her parents were critically injured and taken to Peterborough Hospital. Some following vehicles collided with the wreckage. Florence, Walter and Pearl all recovered and returned to Walmsley House. Florence died in 1956, Walter in 1984. Pearl married Geoff Hall, the son of the Mrs Hall, the head teacher at the old school and became Pearl Hall.