Goddard and Yardley

Hello, My grandparents lived in Coventry between 1948 and 1955. They moved from Birmingham - my grandfather worked for the Danish Bacon Company and became warehouse foreman in Coventry in 1948. In 1955, they moved to Australia. My aunt says that they lived in the house attached to the warehouse which was at 140 Stoney Stanton Road. I have a copy of a reference my grandfather received from a Mr R A Rathbone (Branch Manager) of the Danish Bacon Company in February 1955 and that's the address on the reference. My mother went to Frederick Bird Secondary Modern School between 1948 (she was 10 at that stage) and when she left at age 14 or 15. My uncle went to John Gulson School (starting there when he was 7). My grandmother worked at Goddard and Yardley's - from what I've discovered that was at 139 Much Park Street. I don't imagine it's still there. When my mum left school, she got a job in the office there too with my grandmother. Does anyone have any information about the Danish Bacon Company from back then or of Goddard and Yardley's. Were they a stationers/toy shop? Any information is most welcome. Thanks, Sharon

Hi Sharon, welcome to the forum In 1955 Goddard and Yardley Ltd was a stationers. It was the building to the left of this photo. It says that they're factors importers on the window. The last word might be wholesale. The building is long gone. Here it is on the right.

I'd not heard of them before - don't think they were one of my lot (Anne?). I'm a Yardley, Sharon.

He appears to be a distant one of mine, Neil. He would have been my grandad's second cousin! There are articles about his death in the Coventry papers. He died in 1937 at 371 Allesley Old Road. He had been a partner in Goddard and Yardley for 17 years, before that he had a newsagents in Rudge Road. He was in the RAF during WWI, but was invalided out in 1919 after receiving a blow to the head by a propeller. He was a member of several organisations and was a keen follower of Coventry football club.

I mentioned Goddard and Yardley many posts ago. During the late 50's and 60's I used to buy greeting cards and stationery from them in Much Park Street. I remember the man there and he had at least one female working with him. The place was a rabbit warren, as were many buildings in MPS, and there was a lot of stationery stored in all the nooks and crannies.

Thanks for the info. I'll seek out your earlier post. I'll see if your description sparks Mum's memory of the place. Thanks again, Sharon

Thanks so much Helen. Those photos are fabulous!! Really appreciate you sharing them. I'll show them to Mum and see if they bring back memories for her. Sharon

You're welcome Sharon but the thanks really goes to the Herbert and Coventry digital. There's a blue button on the left which takes you to Coventry Digital where if you get an account, you can search for other images. Another source of views is Britain From Above. Included are some that cover Much park Street after the war. If you get an account you can zoom in. Views of Coventry And another useful site that doesn't need a log in. Pictures at Historic England