Government Disposal Board

Hi there, I am currently researching my husband's 2x great grandfather and in the 1921 census he was working as a police constable for Warwickshire Police at the Government Disposal Board in Foleshill. The occupation code is 809 - police:other rather than 808 which is for police officers. I have done a bit of digging but cannot find any information about what the Government Disposal Board is. If anyone can help tell me more about this place or what my husband's ancestor may have been doing in his work there I would be really grateful. Many thanks Melanie Caldicott

Hi Melanie. Judging by the date, 1921, I can only assume that this was a body established to dispose of WWI equipment, (hazardous or non hazardous), and the police were tasked with the maintenance of it.

Thanks very much - that's really helpful.

Looking through the newspapers, Wearethemods is correct, there are lots of ads for sales of various items and equipment. The full title seems to be Surplus Government Property Disposal Board. One of the adverts…

Hi Anne, The National Filling Factory was "Poppe" I believe. The address shown is Lockhurst Lane. The Poppe shell filling factory is roughly where the Swallow Sidecars then, following, the Dunlop was sited for many years. Can someone enlighten me please.

Does this help Philip ? 1933

Thank you Anne. So, did he have plants in Lockhurst Lane as well as Holbrook Lane?

Some of the adverts say Holbrook Lane as well, there seems to be different buildings for different things so would appear to be over a big area

Philip, have you come across a book, “We re-invented the wheel”? There are lots of plans and maps that show you what was where, if you can get hold of a copy. It looks a very big place.

Hi Anne, Only one expression can follow that: BRILL.

Former City of Coventry Police Box, Lockhurst Lane - 13 Feb 2007 The former Coventry City Police Force had a brick Police Box built on the wall outside the White and Poppe factory on Lockhurst Lane. This box still exists complete with its flap which used to house the public phone for emergency use. The building now contains electrical equipment NB Believed to have been demolished in 2014

This is where the White and Poppe factory was, on the right. You can see Courtaulds Club further up on the left, to show you where it was in relation.

Hi M.R. Well, that's another brill. Thank you. As Courtaulds did, Poppe must have had units both sides of Lockhurst Lane.