Photo poser - Jack Frost and his steam roller

Have been lent this photograph of steamroller driver Jack Frost (centre) in front of his Coventry Corporation machine - can anyone identify the location?

Well! First thoughts are Spon End, but what about the factory chimney? The roof appears to have the word WHITE written on it, could that be a clue? The roller does not have a head of steam so it was not in use at that moment. So, the roller is in a council yard somewhere, it's not on a road?? In short I have no idea where it is. Pass. Les

Could the location be right if it was the 'White and Poppe' factory' on the right?

Gimme a clue Les

I cannot think of anywhere in Coventry where this photo was taken. What about the CC on the bucket, does this mean 'Coventry Council' or maybe 'County Council'.The bridge arches are very similar to Coton Arches in Nuneaton. But if you say it's Coventry then I don't know

Could it be near the railway arches in Spon End?

Norm, I don't say it's Coventry, but in the 1911 Census he was employed by Coventry Corporation, and the same two words appear on the steamroller in the photo

I have found some information in a book on Dunlop about the White and Poppe factory which was built in Holbrooks during the First World War. It would be near a railway line and it seems that a lot of building work and road construction would have been going on there. Is it possible that this could be the site on the picture. The white and Poppe factory became Dunlop number 1 and 2 factories.

The only other likely arches I can think of are those at the old Lockhurst Lane railway station. Les

Hi all The only arches in Coventry that match the height of those in the picture are on the Coventry to Nuneaton line. My suggestion is either Spon End or Nauls Mill Park. The others if outside of Coventry are at Crackley, Wolston or Hampton in Arden. Any ideas?

It has to include the chimney as well, and that narrows it down a fair bit don't you think? The chimney looks to be a big one so it must be in an industrial area somewhere. ps. was Holbrook bridge ever arched?

Hi NormK This is exciting hey! Yes, ok chimney, but chimneys come & go. Viaducts tend to be a bit longer term. Tanners, clay to brick works as well as metal founders all had chimney stacks, that bombing may have put paid to. Thinking! Holbrooks road bridge was concrete sections from the start. The stretcher brick work was only applied as fill-in to make work shops underneath. It was not part of the bridge structure. The lettering on the roof?? Turn of the previous century is my guess at age. Hi again Norm, This thrills me, your involvement along with the other members on here. We are alive, not just a static book, not that I decry books. I want to be Watson today (the overweight one), will you be Sherlock? Sir! I love it.

I wish I was Sherlock, then I would solve this easily

This is the same company with the 'prancing horse' logo and I wonder where in Coventry it has been taken. Sorry to say it isn't solving the initial 'poser'! Steam Roller

The prancing horse is the logo for Aveling Barford Invicta. I have just been looking at some old Spon End forums on here. There is a picture on "Another spot the street thread". Dutchman says it is Spon Street looking west. There are 2 chimneys in the background which he says are the waterworks chimneys. These would be near to the Spon End viaduct. Could one of these be the chimney?