Famous Coventrians

Hi I hope this is the live link for the above Herberts Lad. BBC Grandstand Thank you & best wishes. Is this the one?

Famous Coventrians - May I submit Capt G T Smith-Clarke? He was not born in Coventry but worked at the Aero Engine Inspectorate during WWI and became Chief Engineer and Manager at the Alvis Car Co in 1923 developing and designing most of their vehicles such as the famous Speed Twenty, prewar military vehicles and aero engines. I believe he lived on Kenilworth Road where he constructed his own observatory and was a consultant during the contruction of the Jodrell Bank radio telescope in the - 1950's? During WWII he designed unitary metal buildings which could be bolted together for the Cov & Warwick hospital to replace bomb-damaged wards during the Blitz. He later developed the current form of the 'iron-lung' to help paralysed patients breathe with greater comfort and other hospital equipment. He was something of a Coventry benefactor, supported the Coventry Carnival and I believe there may have been a hospital ward named after him.

Yes many thanks for the Grandstand link.

I've now added that other Olympic swimmer from Coventry, the late Graham Sykes, to "Famous Coventrians"

Hi all What are we going to watch on Sunday evening tele' now Mayjan? It will be back to a shunt in the goods yard. Best wishes.

Less of the "double-entendres", Monsieur

I have just added the name "Gael Bigirimana" to the list of Famous Coventrians, in the "Earned Coventrian Status" section

I've also just added a much overlooked, and surprisingly little heard of Music Hall performer named T E Dunville. I'd only heard of him through one or two mentions in local books, but from what I've read he thoroughly deserves a place in any hall of fame, not just Coventry's. This web page contains a brief description of him - and having just finished reading an original copy of his own autobiography, written in 1911, I can certainly testify that he can entertain!

Another topic under the heading 'things I wished I'd asked my dad about' was regarding the fact that he said he once lived next door to actress Carmen Silvera ('allo 'allo) in King Richard Street when he was a boy. Dad I believe lived at no.3. He was born in 1939 and she in 1922 so if true she was an adult at the time. I've just googled and she did indeed grow up in Coventry having been born in Canada. Anybody shed any further light on the subject?

Terry Hall and Lenny the Lion?

I have added John George Gray to the list, earned Coventry status.

Good shout, Adrian! Place of birth added

Thanks Cliff, and tidied it up. I'm very surprised he is not more recognised.

Yes, considering his history, it's surprising that he isn't better known

I have added Leonard Lord to the Famous Coventrians list. Adrian