Yardley family

Heathite - that is brilliant! That is my granduncle Adrian and his cycle shop! I was with his son (my dad's cousin) last Sunday who only then told me about the shop. Can I ask what that is taken from? Letitia at no.49 is my great grandma I think she moved from there not long after that to Dillotford Avenue. Interestingly, earlier in the 1900's I know they also lived at no.28 which it appears would have been next to Uncle Adrian's shop as they had a little girl also called Letitia but who sadly died there aged only about 5 in 1909 - possibly why they wanted to move. Thanks again for the info.

You're very welcome Neil. The images are from a 1955 Cov directory. If I remember correctly I copied the book at the Birmingham library. Reason is, no fee needed there. There are some 'trees' on Ancestry for your family. Also George Newton Yardley got the Newton part from a German lady ancestor. I'll post more if you're interested

Brilliant again, thank you. Yes, George was my great grandfather, married to Letitia. And I know about the German connection too but please do message me (probably best to keep this separate) with anything you have! I have only just found George and Letitia's unmarked grave at LRC thanks to Derek on here and have a grave marker being made up to mark the location. I'll speak again with dad's cousin (Adrian's son) and get some more info about the shop and the motorcycle racing history.

Neil, I looked on the newspaper site for Adrian Savage and the only one I came up with was one who was a boxer in the 1970's and boxed for Triumph. Is he one of yours?

Hi Anne. No, Adrian (Ade as he was known) Yardley was one of my grandad's brothers. He ran the cycle shop in Paynes Lane. His son who I was with last weekend told me he was a huge motorcycle enthusiast and worked as a mechanic at races such as the TT for a famous local rider. I need to chase up the rider's name as I did not note it down.

So which Yardley lived/worked/got drunk in Vicar Lane?

Those pesky Yardleys get everywhere

It might be that the rider was Sid Barnett, he was a butcher with a shop near the Bon Bon on Stoney Stanton Road. He was a keen competition rider. Nearby was Jim Bates who ran a motorcycle shop and was a Norton agent. I have no idea whether these two were in cahoots but must presume there was a connection.

Hopefully I'm not going mad here and this is a repost but this photo shows my dad during wartime outside his house in Capmartin Road which is mentioned on this thread. I've dug it out again as I'm on the Kenilworth History FB page and there was talk on there of a family and house in Lower Ladyes Hill. Turns out the house and family was the same one that dad and his family were evacuated to from Capmartin Road during the war (its proximity to the Daimler works made it a real target!). I did know about it all when dad was still alive. I think my grandfather either worked (reserved occupation) or was on ARP duty with the grandfather of the family in Kenilworth and as soon as he found out he had children he told them to evacuate to Kenilworth to join them and another family - in the end there were 14 people living in the cellar during bombing. I visited the house about 20 years ago when the son of the family (who became best mates with my dad as they were similarly aged) sold the property. His granddaughter has now contacted me so I hope to meet up with them all when we are allowed out again. I probably have the address in Capmartin somewhere but if anyone recognises the exact'ish spot? It's quite a long road.

Hi NeilsYard, Looking at Google street view, the only section of Capmartin Road with houses that match is the section between Owenford Road and "Daimler Corner". North of Owenford road the houses don't have the gables and after the corner the houses only have gables on one side of the road. My best estimate would be about here. The garden looks too small to me, but that may be due to the camera angle. Peter.

Neil, would they have been there in 1939. If so I can look your grandfather up on the 1939 register. I am assuming you are talking about your Yardley grandad.

Thanks Peter. I originally thought it was the other northern end but then noted the gables. The properties in the distance must have been damaged / removed as it's a newer estate now? And yes Anne I believe so - I might have the full address somewhere but if you could look that would be great - it would be under Laurence and Rose Yardley.

Hi Neil, In 1939 they were living at 245 Grangemouth Road. He was a Motor driver mechanic. They were still there in 1941 as there is a thank you message in the CET.

I need to go back to my books. I'm sure they were definitely living in Capmartin Road when they were evacuated. What was the message Anne?!

I have sent you a message Neil. A little later I know but my best friend lived at 230 Grangemouth and I went there often, right opposite 245