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E M Lewer’s garage identified
Following the publication of the delightful photograph of E M Lewer’s garage in TCM, YWA column, March 2022, page 76, two enthusiasts of period photographs have contacted us with identification and more background detail.
Mike Thomas (BSAs and, er, more BSAs) messaged:
“On ourwarwickshire.org.uk a search for ‘Lewer’ will bring up a delightful picture of E M Lewer’s garage from a postcard dated 1933. The premises was to the side of King Charles House, Manor House, Market Hill, Southam, Warwickshire.”
By 1933 the supply of petrol from cans had been replaced by two petrol pumps in front of the shop with long hoses to stretch across the pavement. Occupying the front rooms of King Charles House was Archer’s, a chemist shop, but the tea rooms seem to have disappeared.
By email Stewart Mould wrote:
“I was fascinated by your postcard in the March 1922 issue of The Classic MotorCycle. I just love a bit of research like this and hope the following is interesting.
“E M Lewer was (unusually for the time) Ethel Mary, a female garage proprietor in Market Hill, Southam, Warwickshire. Her husband William Thomas had died at the age of 39 in May 1922. He’d moved from Rugby to Southam in 1904, opening a business as a cycle agent and repairer. He later moved to the larger premises shown in your postcard in Market Hill, and extended the business to motor agent and repairer.
“On August 13, 1908, William
