Prout Bridge, Beaminster, Dorset

This short road about 200 yards long on the southern approach to the town from Bridport has quite a relationship with the Hann family.  It is where there was a bridge on the Bridport road where the River Brit and the tributaries from the north of Beaminster meet, opposite No. 12.  Until at least the Second World War the name Prout Bridge seems to have referred to an area of Beaminster centred on the junction of Bridport Road, Whitcombe Road and Prout Bridge (road), the last two of which I believe share the distinction of being the only main roads in Beaminster that have never had street nameplates.  In the censuses for 1841-1871 this 200 yard section and the Whitcombe Road section appear as part of East Street, by 1881 Whitcombe Road is still East Street, but Prout Bridge is now South Street.  On the Ordnance Survey map for 1889 Prout Hill and Whitcombe Road are the names shown, though the 1891 census had seen them referred to as Prout Bridge and East Street, there also being a mysterious 'High Street' with 239 residents that has East Street at both ends of its records whose occupants appear as East Street in 1901, so this may be modern-day East Street which on the 1889 Ordnance Survey map was shown as High Street.  In 1901 and 1911 the confusion continues as Whitcombe Road appears as Whitcombe Road then East Street again and Prout Bridge seems to include Whitcombe Road and part of Bridport Road in 1911.  Shortly after there is reference to Prout Bridge Hill and Prout Bridge Street in newspapers. At the time of the 1939 National Register (a bit like the 1911 census) the name appears to refer to the area again as residents of properties in Whitcombe Road and Bridport Road are still also recorded under Prout Bridge. At some time in the 1980s probably as the bridge over the River Brit had long not been visible and because of its incline, Prout Hill had come more to prominence and properties were either addressed as x Prout Bridge, Prout Hill. or recorded as such by the local district council planning department. By the turn of the century the names had become synonymous and Prout Hill appears to have been adopted in official planning records, though I believe even now there are no street nameplates to identify these roads in the Prout Bridge area of town, so Prout Hill, and Whitcombe Road remain anonymous - who knows what Beminstrians actually call them or how they will be recorded in future censuses?

South Street (Prout Bridge?) was the home of Charles Hann from before 1881 (possibly from 1875 when his father, David Hann, was recorded as an appraiser and builder) until his death in 1911. David had moved from Stoke Abbott with his family in the latter half of the 1850s to live at Prout Bridge but left shortly after for new premises in East Street before returning to Prout Bridge around 1875 probably to Brook Lodge (now Hams Plot).  David died in 1876 and on 15 August 1879 Charles put Brook Lodge on the market

In his time David was responsible for the building of the then new Police Station and Justice Rooms at 6 Prout Bridge (now the Youth Centre), interior restoration works at St Mary of the Annunciation Church in Beaminster and supplying the timber that enabled the bells of St Mary the Virgin Church in Netherbury to be re-hung.. He was also the uncle of John George Hann of Hann & Co Ltd Brewery. [At a dinner in 1886 Mr PW MacHale the Beaminster Superintendent of Police said that he had known Charles and his younger brother Albert since their infancy as it was he who had persuaded David to move to Beaminster]. Charles eldest brother had returned to Stoke Abbott around 1859 having married Sarah B Gibbs and lived there, Mosterton and Shepton Mallet before emigrating to the USA in 1872. Four of his five children, Job Gibbs, Bowden Brown, John James and Mary Maria, went with him - Emily having died in infancy in Shepton Mallet. They settled in Grand Rapids, Michigan where Hugh died as the result of severe injuries received having been knocked down by a car in 1926

Two schools that David Hann helped to build.  He and Chick did the carpentry for the Girls' Elementary and National Schools (for infants) in Hogshill Street in 1868 and David built the Boys' Elementary School at the workhouse in East Street in 1876.  His sons (C & A Hann) later built the Grammar School in Hogshill Street

Another elder brother George left the family home by the time the family returned to Prout Bridge, having gone to Wilton in Wiltshire to marry Louisa Carse. By 1871 they had moved to Govan in Glasgow where George was a clerk with the Inland Revenue and later moved to Yorkshire where he died, near Bradford, in 1890. He had three sons. Reginald George who settled in Leeds and was an eminent surgeon, dying there in 1962. Arnold Charles who was sub-governor of the Bank of Egypt and lived in Alexandria where he died in 1958 and Leonard Carse who was started as a bank clerk before becoming a school teacher and piano tutor in Purley. He retired to Bexhill-on-Sea where he died in 1956.

Charles's youngest brother, Edwin had left Prout Bridge in 1888 for Newcastle-upon-Tyne to join the Northumberland Fusiliers with whom he served until 1891, becoming a builder's clerk in Bromley-by-Bow on resuming civilian life. He returned to Beaminster to marry Fanny Sherring in 1892 before moving back to London and on to Wealdstone where he ran a house furnishings shop and becoming a company director, then on to Palmers Green. Following Fanny's death he married Ada Bonner and moved to West Ham. Ada died in 1940 and he probably went to stay with his daughter Kathleen Mary Sherring in Kingsbury before dying a year later. Kathleen's brother Harry Edwin marrying his uncle Charles's daughter Ellen Louise's daughter Eleanor B Wainwright (see below)

A report in the 13 October 1899 edition of The Bridport News stated in the Beaminster news section that:

 

MESSRS. C. & A. HANN, builders, of this  town, have

most successfully carried out the extensive restoration

work at the Frome St. Quintin parish church.  The way

in which they have carried out their contract has given

complete satisfaction

In 1901 Charles's brother Albert (christened at Stoke Abbott on 2 Apr 1858) was living a few doors away in Prout Bridge, their eldest brother (Hugh 1839-1851) had emigrated to Grand Falls, Michigan where he had moved from the railroads to a fuel company. George (1847-1890) had already died, having been an Inland Revenue clerk in Glasgow and Yorkshire and Edwin (1863-1941) was doing quite nicely with his house furnishings business in Wealdstone, London.

When he married Julia Eleanor Venner Prescott in Brighton in 1878, Charles was described as a builder, probably operating from Prout Bridge, as this is where he was operating in 1894. By 1883 he had formed a partnership with his younger brother Albert. They traded as C & A Hann and were variously described as building contractors, stonemasons, cabinet makers and lime merchants and had many building projects around Beaminster including proposals in February 1887 for a new Town Hall in Fleet Street, restoration work on St Candida and Holy Cross church at Whitchurch Canonicorum in 1888 the first part of which was to cost £800 and for work on the Grammar school, placing advertisements in the Western Gazette for bricklayers in 1891 and walling masons and painters in 1895 to replace 12-20 and 24 Prout Bridge that were severely damaged in the late-August 1894 flood of the River Brit with the slightly larger 12 and 18 "Homeleigh" (replacing 12-18) and 20 "Dover House" and a stone-built 24 "Bridge Cottage". 

On 31 December 1886 C&A Hann held a festive dinner for their employees entertaining 60-70 people. A short speech by Mr R Toleman remarked on the growth of the firm and reminded the men that the success of the master was in large measure due to them as it was only by satisfactory work that was more obtained.  W Trump, W Shapland and M Symes were praised by Charles as those who had worked longest for the family in their respective departments when he toasted the men in response

In December 1887 they also constructed a stage at the Assembly rooms at the White Hart Hotel, Beaminster for a production by the Bridport Amateur Dramatic Society in aid of the Beaminster Dorcas Society 'an institution for the relief of the poor' and in July 1893 Membury church in Devon was re-opened following a renovation by C & A Hann which had cost £1300

The Public Hall built to commemorate Queen Victoria's Silver Jubilee in 1887.  The proposal to build being seconded by Charles Hann.  As yet I have been unable to ascertain whether he was responsible for its erection.

Prout Bridge: following the 1894 flood and the 1896/1897 rebuild.  Only No. 22 (with green shutters) remained unchanged

When the Bishop of Sherborne consecrated the New Burial Ground at Holy Trinity church in Shortmoor, Beaminster, on 24 August 1894  it was recorded that 'the contractors (Messrs C&A Hann) have given great satisfaction by the way in which the work has been carried out'

On 31 August 1894 a cricket match was held at Chedington Court between the married and single employees of C&A Hann.  The teams were married: James Sartin, John Sartin, H Davis, A Sartin, W Sartin, J Spearing, F Hexton, J Welby, H Sartin, J Sartin and W Swaffield. Single: B Sartin, H Hawkins, C Wareham, J Smith, E Gosney, F Warry, P Sartin, B Paul, A Shutler, A Loveless and F Loveless. The single team scored 56 and the married 34

Between January 1896 and October 1899 (if not longer) C&A Hann also provided coffins and acted as undertakers.  A report in the Bridport News for 17 January 1896 stating that they arranged the whole of the funeral of Rev Canon (Alfred) Percy Codd, Vicar of Beaminster and his burial at Holy Trinity Church having met the train from Salisbury at Crewkerne, conveyed the coffin to Tunnel Road where the mourners formed the cortege to St Mary's Church where the body was placed in the chancel during the service.  It was then borne in procession headed by the choir to Holy Trinity Church for burial

In Aug 1903 Messrs Hann of Beaminster gifted a new flag staff for the tower of St John Baptist Church at Membury, Devon which they had repaired, 'the manner of whose work had given great satisfaction' and up to March 1906 did chancel work for the Ecclesiastical Commissioners at St John the Evangelist and All Saints Church at Kingstone, Somerset   Having previously constructed the New Burial Ground (now Beaminster Cemetery) at Shortmoor, their work culminating in the erection of the 'Julia' in The Square. This was commissioned by Vincent Joseph Robinson CIE of Parnham House, Beaminster in memory of Elizabeth Julia Robinson and is a memorial over 20 feet high and 16 feet across, shaped like a market cross. It was handed over to Beaminster Parish Council by Mr Robinson on 9 April 1906. 

The premises at Prout Bridge in the days of C&A Hann and in the early 2000s

The 'Julia' in The Square, the last work completed by C&A Hann, builders

Just before the handover an official notice in 'The Western Gazette' recorded that the two brothers and their sons would be going their separate ways in business and the partnership between C Hann and A Hann, Builders Etc, of Beaminster, Dorset under the style of C & A Hann had been dissolved.

NOTICE       IS        HEREBY       GIVEN,      that       the

PARTNERSHIP      heretofore     existing     between     us

the    undersigned,   CHARLES    HANN    and   ALBERT

HANN,  carrying   on   Business    as   BUILDERS,   CON-

TRACTORS,  and  LIME  MERCHANTS,   at   BEAMIN-

STER,   in   the  County of  Dorset,  under   the   style   or

Firm of  "C. & A. HANN," WILL  BE   DISSOLVED,  by

Mutual  Consent,  as   from  the 31st  Day of  March, 1906

The  said CHARLES HANN will  henceforth CARRY ON

BUSINESS  ON   HIS   OWN  ACCOUNT,   at   PROUT

BRIDGE,   BEAMINSTER,  under   the  style  of  "CHAS.

& C.  HANN," and  the said  ALBERT  HANN will hence-

forth CARRY ON BUSINESS ON HIS OWN ACCOUNT

at   FLEET   STREET,   BEAMINSTER,   under  the  style

of   "ALBERT  HANN  &  SONS,"   both  Parties  Trading

Separately  and  Irrespectively  of  Each Other

Dated, this 26th day of March, 1906

CHARLES HANN

ALBERT HANN

 Three days before the handover Albert placed a notice in the Western Gazette advertising his new business

BEAMINSTER,    DORSET,    MARCH    29TH,   1906.

SIR   (or  MADAM),-   The   Firm   of  C.  &  A.  HANN

now   carrying  on   business   as   Builders,   Contractors,

and  Lime Merchants,  at Beaminster, of which  I have for

the past 25 years been a member, having been dissolved by

mutual consent, as from the 21st MARCH instant, I beg to

inform  you that  it is  my intention after that date to carry

on  business, on  precisely the  same lines  as before, in the

name of

ALBERT HANN & SONS,

BUILDERS, CONTRACTORS, &  LIME  MERCHANTS,

FLEET STREET, BEAMINSTER, DORSET,

and I hope that I may  look for a large  share of the support

which  has hitherto  been so kindly accorded to my old firm.

I  have  had  much experience  in  all branches of the Build-

ing  Trade,  and,  having  secured  suitable  premises  and  a

competent  staff  of  workmen   and  assistants,  I  have  full

confidence  that, by strict  attention to  business, I shall give

entire satisfaction to all my customers

My new Firm will  be prepared to  CONTRACT FOR NEW

BUILDINGS  of  any  Description,  and  also  to  carry  out

REPAIRS   IN   MASONRY,   CARPENTRY,   JOINERY,

PAINTING,  &c.,  well  and  expediently,  and  I  solicit  the

favour of your custom and support.

Your obedient Servant                               ALBERT HANN

On 25 May 1906 the following notice appeared in the Western Gazette

BEAMINSTER,    DORSET

---------------

MONDAY   NEXT

---------------

WITHOUT   RESERVE

MR.   E.   S.   W.   DALE   will,    in    consequence    of    the

Dissolution     of     Partnership    or     the    old     established

Firm  of   C.  &  A.  HANN,   Builders,  &c.,   of  Beaminster,

Dorset,  SELL by  AUCTION,  absolutely  Without  Reserve,

on MONDAY next, MAY 28th, 1906, the Valuable and Exten-

sive BUILDER'S  PLANT and  STOCK-IN-TRADE  used  in

connection   with   the  Business.   The   Plant   includes  a  3½

horse -power  gas  engine  (by Crossley) ; a  combined circular

and  hand  saw  (by Reynolds) ;  a  horizontal  steam- saw  (by

Samson,  Bridport) ;  an  American  boring  machine ;  lathe ;

pit  and  cross-cut  saws  ;  a  one-horse  timber  carriage  ;  a

practically  new  tip  cart  ;  hand  carts ;  portable  offices ; a

large quantity of scaffolding, &c., &c.

Also  the  OFFICE   FITTINGS,  which   include   a  massive

fire-proof  safe  (by  Chubb)  ; level  ; nests  of  drawers,  &c.

The  STOCK- IN- TRADE  comprises  ;- 20  sticks  of  well-

seasoned  oak,  and  elm  timber,  of  good  dimension  ;  oak,

ash, elm, and  pine boards,  of all  lengths  and sizes ; sanitary

and other fittings ; large quantity of Ham stone, tiles, &c, &c.

The   whole  (with  the  exception  of  the  Fixed  Machinery,

Round  Timber  and Quarry Plant) will,  for the convenience

of  Sale, be  removed  to  a  field  in  Whitcombe  Road, Bea-

minster and will be on view on SATURDAY, May 26th, and

Morning of Sale.   The Fixed Machinery  and Round Timber

may be inspected at Mr. C. HANN'S Premises, Prout Bridge,

and  the  Quarry  Plant  at  the  Lime  Kilns,  Stinsford Lane,

Beaminster

Sale to commence at Eleven o'clock sharp.

Catalogues    can   be   obtained   upon   application   to   the

AUCTIONEER, Church Street, Beaminster

As advised in the dissolution notice Charles also continued in business at Prout Bridge with his son Charles Carpenter Hann as Chas & C Hann, though by 31 March 1910 ithe new firm appears to have been in trouble as debts were being requested to be paid to ESW Dale of Beaminster.  On 14 April 1910 it was petitioning for bankruptcy at Dorchester. This enabled Charles to take a short period of retirement before he died on 14 July 1911, aged 59 years. 

When Albert next appears in local directories on 1911-1912 as a builder, contractor, stone mason and lime burner, he is trading as Albert Hann & Sons of Fleet Street, Beaminster.  This is believed to possibly be the premises later occupied by C Symes & Son (Builders, Contractors and Undertakers) and later by R G Spiller Ltd (Painters and Carpenters), which is now the site of 24 Fleet Street  By the 1911 census Charles's family had moved to 12 The Square (between the 'Greyhound' and the 'Red Lion' where his daughter Florence Sarah (1886-1991) ran a stationer's and lending library.  Charles Carpenter having taken over his father's role as Surveyor and Sanitary Inspector to Beaminster Board of Guardians and District Council.

By 1912 the Prout Bridge premises had been taken over by Albert's sons to run a new enterprise - the Beaminster Motor Company, manager Cecil Collins Hann (born 17 Aug 1891), Albert's second son. The garage was being advertised as "Sole district agents for the 'GWK' light cars; repairs, overhauling and vulcanising" and operating from the front of Prout Bridge.

Prout Bridge in the days of the Beaminster Garage (CC Hann).  It is believed that the front car (with Cecil Collins's trade plates) was being driven by Cecil Collins and the other by Albert Percy, with Arthur Ernest at its side.  The same site in the early 2000s

On 23 May 1912 it started a 14-seat 'motor brake' (as a forerunner of the bus) between Beaminster, Bridport and Crewkerne. This was in competition with the existing horse omnibus from Bridport to Crewkerne, the horse-drawn mail van between Beaminster and Bridport and the the newly-introduced night motor mail van service from Bridport to Ilminster. Both mail services were passenger-carrying. The omnibus and night mail operating out of Bridport.

 

The horse omnibus operated Bridport (dep) 09:20, Beaminster (dep) 10:25, Crewkerne (arr) 11:20 (dep) 14:40, Beaminster (arr) 15:35, Bridport (arr) 14:35; the day mail Beaminster (dep) 10:45, Bridport (arr) 11:30 (dep) 14:30, Beaminster (arr) 15:15 though this was amended to two journey per day Beaminster (dep) 10:35, Bridport (dep) 14:15, with an evening return fromr Beaminster; the night mail operated Bridport (dep) 19:05, Beaminster (arr) 19:40, Beaminster (dep) 21:25. The return journey getting back to Beaminster at 05:00

By operating out of Beaminster via Bridport, Cecil was able to fit in two return trips to Bridport and one to Crewkerne each day as his timetable was Beaminster (dep) 09:30, Bridport (arr) 10:00 (dep) 10:20, Beaminster (arr) 10:40 (dep) 10:50, Crewkerne (arr) 11:20 (dep) 14:40, Beaminster (arr) 15:10 (dep) 15:20, Bridport (arr) 15:45 (dep) 16:30, Beaminster (arr) 17:00. This meant that he was able to provide a Bridport-Beaminster service between the horse omnibus and the day mail and again between the day and night mails. It also meant that he provided the earliest morning service from Beaminster to Bridport and just pipped the afternoon horse omnibus with his much faster service

It's not known whether it was due to it's success or in an attempt to gain more passengers but on 29 Jul 1912 the motor brake service was extended to Taunton with amended timings - Beaminster (dep) 09:00, Bridport (arr) 09:25 (dep) 09:30, Beaminster (dep) 10:00, Taunton (arr) 12:20 (dep) 15:00, Beaminster (dep) 19:10, Bridport (arr) 19:45 (dep) 20:00, Beaminster (arr) 20:30. However this meant that on the Beaminster-Bridport service lost out on passengers to the earlier omnibus and faced fiercer opposition from the increased motorised day mail services

At some time during 1912 Albert Percy (Albert's eldest son) moved to Earl's Court in London and started designing cars for the Norma Car and Engineering Company of Ravenscourt Square, Hammersmith and on 30 Sep 1912 Albert moved his Fleet Street business back to his old premises at the rear of Prout Bridge.  A few weeks later Cecil operated a special evening excursion to Bridport, possibly to gauge the market for people wishing to visit the new cinema there

An advertisement for the Norma car from the 24 November 1913 issue of the Light Car and Cyclecar magazine

Presumably the increase in revenue from passengers gained by extending to Taunton did not offset that lost to the earlier services as on 9 Feb 1913 the Tuesday and Thursday Taunton services were cut and on these days only a direct Beaminster to Crewkerne evening service ran, Cecil having lost most of his Beaminster-Bridport traffic on these days

The motor brake service continued to suffer from lower than anticipated support and was eventually withdrawn altogether on 21 March 1913. The motor omnibus service continued for a while while the motor mail services continued to both operate until the night mail was withdrawn during the Great War and not replaced.

There was a entry in the Beaminster section of the 28 March 1913 edition of the Western Gazette

MOTOR  SERVICE  TO  BE DISCONTINUED. - The inhabit-

ants    of    this     neighbourhood    will     learn    with     much

regret    from    the    notice   appearing    in   another   column

that    the     Beaminster,    Bridport     and     Taunton    motor

service     has     been     discontinued.      This     service     has

undoubtedly    supplied   a   longfelt    want,   but   not   having

received    the    support    anticipated    the    cars   have  been

removed   to   another   section   of   the   district.

There followed a period of scandal within the family (or possibly brotherly assistance). By then, Albert Percy, Albert's eldest son, had become a consulting engineer and through his new contacts met Florence Mary Magdalen FitzPatrick, whom he married at Kensington Register Office in London on 26 Feb 1913. A marriage witnessed by Brooklands Flying School-trained Sir Henry Robert Moore Brooke-Popham, commander of 3 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps. Within a month the Western Gazette was reporting that he was leaving for Singapore to take up an engineering appointment in the Malay Peninsula. Whether Florence went with him or whether it was a short-term contract and she stayed in London is unknown, but in Aug 1914 when Cecil Collins signed up for the Royal Flying Corps he was recorded as being an engineer working in Kuala Lumpur

Within 6 days of the outbreak of the Great War on 4 Aug 1914 , Cecil Collins had enlisted in the Royal Flying Corps as an aircraftman. Within the month Charles Carpenter had become an air mechanic with the Royal Navy Air Service and by 1 October, Albert Percy had returned to the UK and re-enlisted as an Acting Lieutenant of the Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve and was posted to the staff of the Commander-in-Chief China, but within months was a Temporary Lieutenant assigned to the HMS Victory payroll in Portsmouth, acting as Transport Officer. The following month he transferred as a full Lieutenant to the Royal Marines with Transport and Supply responsibilities for the Royal Naval Division at Portsmouht before being posted to HMS Triumph.

HMS Triumph was torpedoed and sunk in May 1915 and he returned to his family home in Twickenham awaiting a new posting. This came in June as a probationary Flight Sub Lieutenant for temporary service with the Royal Navy Air Service at RN Airship Station Wormwood Scrubs but his commission was cancelled in August and he returned to his new home in Belgravia and served on HMS President as assistant to a Lieutenant Bird.

On 10 August 1915 Cecil Collins, having been a sergeant with 1 Squadron, had joined Robert Brooke-Popham with 3 Squadron, Royal Flying Corps as a Lieutenant, the Beaminster Garage Company being now run by Albert and his mechanic, assisted by the youngest son, Arthur Ernest (born 28 Jul 1902) and daughter Edith Constance.  In Cecil Collins's absence the accommodation at the garage was used by a group of refugees from Belgium.

It then became apparent that in April 1914, Albert Percy's wife was said to have been more friendly with Cecil Collins than a wife should be in room 233 of the Bonnington Hotel in Holborn and in November 1915 Albert Percy filed for divorce citing Cecil Collins as co-respondent. He then regained his commission and rejoined the Royal Navy Reserve for service with balloons and airships at Wormwood Scrubs in March 1916 . I have been unable to trace his wife either before or after the marriage, so assume that she was foreign-based and returned home after the divorce

On 22 October 1916 Cecil Collins was killed in action whilst flying as an observer out of Lahoussoye airfield and in May 1917 Albert Percy was invalided out of the RNAS as a result of his mental exhaustion. He may have returned to Beaminster, but did not stay long, being employed by HM Office of Works in 1918 before becoming involved in an ill-fated business venture and being made bankrupt the following year.

By this time the running of Beaminster Garage Company and its various operations, including an early taxi/private hire service and later a bus service between Beaminster and Bridport via Pymore (in competition with the National bus and day mail services), was in the hands of Albert assisted by Arthur Ernest. With the war reducing the number of drivers available to the firm, Arthur Ernest's sister Edith Constance was also involved with the driving of their cars and in Dec 1916 was charged with speeding at 20mph in Dorchester.  Charles's widow (Julia Eleanor) and daughter Florence Sarah had by this time moved from 12 The Square to 'Bridge Cottage' at 24 Prout Bridge.

In the early 1920s the re-introduced bus service had been extended from Bridport to the coast at West Bay and the Beaminster Garage sign was replaced by a board showing Albert Hann & Sons - builder and contractor. In telephone directories of the time the company was referred to as Albert Hann & Sons, builders and motor engineers

In Kelly's 1920 Directory two entries appeared -

Beaminster Garage Co (the) (Albert Hann, proprietor), agents for Austin, Vulcan, Angus-Sanderson, Morris-Oxford, Morris-Cowley, Scripps Booth, Chevrolet, Whitehead, Cubitt, GWK and AC cars, ABC and Coulson-B motor cycles, mobile pup motor scooters; smart open & closed cars for hire; official repairers to the AA and RAC; all repairs, tyres & accesories; sole district agents for GWK light cars; repairs, overhauling & vulcanizing, The Garage. TN [telephone number] 10; TA [telegraphic address] "Albert Hann" 

Hann, Albert & Sons, builders, contractors & stone masons. Telegrams, "Albert Hann, Beaminster"; Telephone No. 10 Beaminster

Around this time Arthur Ernest was appointed scoutmaster of the 1st Beaminster Troop, Baden Powell Boy Scouts and became heavily involved in scouting.

Although appearing of no significance at the time, on 5 April 1922 a branch of the Yeovil carriage and coach-building business, Hill & Boll, at 71-73 East Street, Bridport became a limited liability company under the name of Hill & Boll (Bridport) Ltd. Directors were F W Boll, Knook House, Sturminster Newton (motor engineer) and S R Edwards snr *, Jessemine House, West Bay Road, Bridport (manufacturer). Hill & Boll had developed 'petrol-driven autocars' with Yeovil stationary-engine builder, Petters, during the 1890s

* this is believed to be Sidney Richard Edwards from an established Allington/Bridport net and twine manufacturing family

In Weybridge from 1922 to 1924 Albert Percy, as Tommy Hann, had been pursuing a career in motor racing and had achieved remarkable results from his ancient greatly modified 3 litre 25hp 1911 Lanchester Landaulette formerly owned by the authoress Fay Compton's family, firstly in two-seat format under the name of 'Hoieh-wayaryeh-gointoo' (Which way are you going to) and later in a remodelled single seat format as 'Softly catch monkey' on which he adopted his distinctive broad black and orange striped livery and the HP5 Hann Special 'Handy Andy' based on a 3 litre 1911 Delage. During this time he was racing and mixing with the names of the day - Sir Malcolm Campbell, Count Zborowski of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' fame, Sir Henry Segrave, Kenelm Lee Guinness (founder of KLG spark plugs), Parry Thomas, AE Moss (Stirling's father) and Archie Frazer Nash (founder of Frazer-Nash cars). He also had his own business (at which he lived) in Brooklands called Hann Partners Ltd which was responsible for the maintenance and development of a stable of racing cars.

In 1923 Beaminster Garage acquired a 14-seat Model T Ford bus (registration no. PR 358) and were shown as dealers for Rover, Standard, Calthorpe, Buick, Chevrolet, Bradshaw, GWK and A1 cars

In 1924, S R Edwards jnr replaced F W Boll as a director of Hill & Boll (Bridport) Ltd and in October it amalgamated with the Beaminster Garage Company. Hill & Boll changing its name to Edwards and Hann Ltd to reflect the new directorship of the company - S R Edwards snr and Sam Edwards jnr (joint MD) of Jessemine House, Bridport and Albert (sec) and Arthur E Hann (joint MD) of Holmleigh, [18 Prout Bridge] Beaminster. At the time the Beaminster Garage Company was described as Automobile Engineers and Motor Bus Proprietors: Operators of a Daily bus service for passengers and parcels between Beaminster, Bridport and West Bay - frequency 6 times daily. Registered Office 71-73 East Street, Bridport.

The same year Albert Percy was involved in an incident in which a female passenger was drowne.  This had a great effect on him and he seems to have retired from motor racing following this

The Beaminster Garage continued to trade as such, the monogram BG (Beaminster Garage) being changed to EAH (Edwards and Hann) and relocated from the middle to the bottom of the sign. The buses trading with Edwards and Hann Ltd, Beaminster and Bridport on the rear and the 'fleet name' of Beaminster Bus.

               

In June 1925 Arthur Ernest resigned as scoutmaster as his business and absence from home did not allow him the time he needed to devote to the troop. He had possibly become involved with Albert Percy's Hann Partners Ltd or a business venture of his own as he is acknowledged in Bill Boddy's History of Brooklands though (unlike 'Tommy') I don't believe he features in the book. Bill Boddy does though confirm that Albert Percy was not involved at Brooklands following the fatal accident in 1924 when a car in which he was travelling sank in the River Thames at Molesey and despite his best efforts a fellow passenger lost their life (see Albert Percy's entry in the family tree section of the website) and Boddy did not see him again until 1934 when he met up in his consulting engineer business's office at 1 Albemarle Street, Mayfair. It is possible that Arthur had to run Albert's business in his absence until returning home when he and his father resigned from Edwards & Hann Ltd to run the garage at Beaminster as an independent enterprise again.  At Albert's inquest in 1935 it was said that his being torpedoed and the fatal crash had taken a toll on his mental health which led to his suicide

On 19th October 1927 an advertisement appeared in "The Times" to advise that both the Beaminster and Bridport garages of Edwards and Hann were amongst the first list of Empire (Motor) Traders

In 1930 an additional director, George L(utley Sclater-Booth (later 4th Baron Basing), The Priory, Odiham, Hants was appointed to the company and a new 26-seat Thornycroft A6 single-decker (registration no. TK 4774) was acquired

As will be seen from he following advertisements etc the exact chronology of the use of Prout Bridge is a bit vague during the 1920/1930s. To recap. I know that until 1906 it was used by Charles and Albert as C & A Hann builders and that after this both a shortlived builders business of C & Chas Hann and the business of Albert Hann & Sons (at Fleet Street) continued until Charles's retirement. I also know that by 1912 the Beaminster Garage Company managed by Cecil Collins Hann had been set up at the same premises to sell vehicles and petrol as well as garage services - and initially had also operated an unsuccessful motor-brake service. A photo believed by some to have been taken after World War 1 was probably taken before the war (in which Cecil was killed) as it features two brand new unregistered vehicles of 1912 and 1913 vintage.

A later photograph (date unknown) still shows the deceased Cecil as manager but the Beaminster Garage Company board has been replaced by one advertising Albert Hann & Sons building business. In 1920 Albert is known to be proprietor of the garage company and in 1923 the company acquired a new bus to replace an earlier one or two. In 1924 Beaminster Garage Company was merged with Hill & Boll of Bridport and to reflect the two Edwards's and two Hann's (Albert and Arthur Edward) on the board became Edwards & Hann Ltd. The Beaminster Garage board being resurrected and repainted with the new company name; the BG monogram at the bottom being replaced with EAH

Between 1924 and 1933 Edwards and Hann was therefore represented by members of both families, though advertisements placed seem to show that although under an umbrella company the bus company possibly ran separately from the garage/car sales businesses which in turn may have later operated separately as well. As late as 1931 Edwards & Hann are referred to as being of Beaminster and Bridport, though from 1930 their advertisements mention only Bridport. This may however have been their main (only) vehicle showroom.

From November 1933 the Beaminster garage was placing its own advertisement under the style of Arthur E Hann, which appears to indicate a cessation of the Edwards & Hann partnership following the sale of the bus business to Southern National, though not the company name.  A photograph taken around 1935 shows the Beaminster garage name-board with Arthur E Hann - the EAH monogram now presumably being now interpreted as AEH. This was later removed and replaced with a new Arthur E Hann sign on the garage wall

             

On 28 August 1925 Edwards and Hann published it's first? advertisement in the Western Gazette:

 

CUSTOMERS CARS FOR DISPOSAL

---------

OAKLAND LANDAULETTE.--- 6 cyl., 18 h.p., 1923, Bel-

gravia  bodywork.     Luggage  grid.     Self- starter,     Electric

lighting,   Finished  dark  red,  upholstered  in  Bedford  cord.

Magnificent  condition,   £200,  or  very  near  offer.

CHEVROLET.---5-seater   Touring  car,   May,   1923.  Rear

screen,    side   screens,    luggage   grid.     Self- starter,    All-

weather   equipment.    Licensed   end   of   year   £70.

CHEVROLET.---1919,   "490"   Model,,   5 seater.   Rear

screen,   luggage   grid.   Sound   mechanical   condition   £30.

FORD COUPE.---English   body.   Extremely   comfortable

Double   dickey   seat.   Year   of   engine,   1923.   Self-starter.

New   balloon   tyres,   shock   absorbers,    Licensed   end   of

year.    £60   or   very   near   offer.

ROVER.---12 h.p.,   1914.  Electric   lighting.   Rear  screen,

luggage   grid.    Although   an   old   model   this   car   is   in

splendid   condition.    £90   or   near   offer.

BELSIZE.---1921,  15-20 h.p., 5-seater  Touring Car.  Rear

screen,   luggage   grid.   Real   leather   upholstery  . Self-

starter.   Licensed   end   of   year.   Very   fine   condition, £95

Trial  runs  on  either of  the  above  Cars  will  be  arranged.

with   pleasure.

EDWARDS & HANN, LTD.,

BRIDPORT AND BEAMINSTER, DORSET.

Telephones : Bridport 54, Beaminster 10.

 

On 13 November another advertisement appeared:

NEW & USED CARS

FOR

IMMEDIATE DELIVERY

(open-top car illustration)

NEW   CARS.

MORRIS     COWLEY.      2-Seater.      Blue.

Four    Wheel    brakes.    £170,    or    £42 10s 6d

down    and    £11 7s 4d    twelve    monthly    pay-

ments.

MORRIS     COWLEY.       4-Seater.     Blue

F.W.B.    £190,     or     £47 10s 6d     down     and

£12 14s 1d    twelve    monthly    payments.

MORRIS    OXFORD   SALOON.   Colour:

Claret.     £350     or     £87 10s 6d     down     and

twelve     monthly     payments     of     £23 8s 1d.

Above       prices       include       12       months'

free      insurance

-----------------------------------------------------------

USED     CARS.

BELSIZE.     1921       15/20 h.p.       4-Seater

Leather.     Starter.     Lighting,     Rear     Screen.

Perfect    condition.     £90.

OVERLAND.     1920.     4-Seater.     Starter.

Lighting    . 18.4 h.p.     Splendid     condition

£58

FORD    ENGLISH    COUPE.   Very   com-

fortable     car,     large     dickey     seat.     Starter.

Lighting.     £50.

FORD    VANS.  We    have   several   for   dis-

posal.      £15-£50     . Particulars      with

pleasure.

ALL ABOVE CARS (EXCEPT VANS) TAX PAID

TO END OF YEAR

ANY INSPECTION OR TRIAL

------------------------------------------------------------

EDWARDS & HANN, Ltd.,

BRIDPORT & BEAMINSTER

In 1926 a new 20-seat Thornycroft A1 single-decker (registration no. PR 6088) was also acquired and 7 services a day were run

On 21 May Edwards and Hann were advertising garages complete with illustration in the Western Gazette and Albert Hann & Son was being run down.

The Motor House advertisement (appeared on 28 May also):

YOUR NEW MOTOR HOUSE-

MAY WE SUPPLY IT?

£15 15  0                    (illustration of                      £17  0  0

14ft x 8ft             open-top car in garage)              16ft x 8ft

These Motor Houses are built of robust asbestos cement panels mounted

in sturdy wooden framework, and they can easily be erected by any private

owner on a level patch of ground.

Specification includes double doors and windows , and it should be noted

that the window can be placed in any position relative to the doors so that

the best lighting can be obtained. The roof is 24 gauge galvanised 'Italian'

iron sheeting fixed with galvanised clout nails.  All necessary bolts, screws,

brackets, etc, are provided, and the Motor Houses are dispatched, carriage

forward, with full instructions for erection on receipt of order.

TERMS - CASH WITH ORDER.

We can also supply the necessary plans of the Garage for approval by

the Local Council Authorities

________________________________________

EDWARDS & HANN, LTD.,

BRIDPORT & BEAMINSTER, Dorset.

Albert's advertisement
 

WOODWORKING MACHINE  SHOP,  fitted  with  light

modern    machinery,     planer,     thicknesser,    saws,

engine, &c., To Be Let at very reasonable terms. Excellent

opportunity  for   keen   man   anxious  to   start  business

ALBERT HANN & SONS, LTD., Beaminster, Dorset.

The Western Gazette of 2 July 1926 carried 

 

MOTOR  SHOW  AT  BRIDPORT.

DAIMLER    AND    BENTLEY   WEEK

JULY    5th - 10th

(illustration of limousine)

Commencing  on  Monday, July 5th,  we  shall  be  showing for  one

week at our Bridport Depot a special display of Daimler and Bentley

Cars.  We  believe  this  Show  will  be  the  first  display  of  Quality

Cars ever seen in Dorsetshire.

We very much hope that you  will come and inspect the cars  during

that week.  Even if you are not intending to purchase a car we  feel

sure that the display will be of interest to you.

During the week we  shall have  Mr. F.C. Clements,  the  famous

racing driver,* with us, and he will be delighted to give trial runs on

his  SPEED  MODEL  BENTLEY  to  anyone who would like  to

have a run with him.

We  specially wish  to  point  out  that  this  display  is  open  to  all,

motorists  or those  who are  not motorists,  and that you will not be

worried to  purchase a  car if  you come  and inspect  the very fine

range of vehicles we shall have on show.

DO NOT FAIL TO COME AND SEE THE CARS

----------------------

EDWARDS  &  HANN,  LTD.,

BRIDPORT & BEAMINSTER

DEPENDABLE DEALERS FOR DEPENDABLE CARS

(* possibly Albert Ernest Hann using his Brooklands connections?)

In the 17 and 24 June 1927 editions of the Western Gazette

 

CLYNO 4-SEATER,  1926,   F.W.D.,  balloon tyres,  &c.,

Mileage 5,000 only.   Taxed for one year.   Condirtion  as

new.  £120 or nearest offer.--EDWARDS & HANN, Brid-

port.

On 19th October 1927 an advertisement appeared in "The Times" to advise that both the Beaminster and Bridport garages of Edwards and Hann were amongst the first list of Empire (Motor) Traders

The 15 March 1929 Western Gazette carried the following

 

A GOOD USED CAR IS A

SOUND INVESTMENT.

---------

BUY NOW AND SPEND A MOTORING EASTER.

---------

The     following     Bargains

carry   our   Guarantee.

CASH OR DEFERRED PAYMENTS

MORRIS  COWLEY.     1928   JUNO  .

Four-seater.        New  condition.      Licensed

for  year.        9,970  miles only.       Luggage

grid.          Electric  horn...        £115  0  0

MORRIS  COWLEY.       1926.   Two

seater,      with      dickey.       Four      wheel

brakes.        Disc    wheels.       One     owner

only             ...                           £55  0  0

STANDARD.        1924      Four-seater.

Real      leather.          Starting.          Lighting.

One      owner      only.         Small     mileage.

Licensed             ...        ...        £58  0  0

BEAN.        1923.        Four-seater.        Good

mechanical     condition.      Starter.       Light-

ing        ...      ...      ...      £32  10  0

TROJAN.  1925.        Four-seater.        10h.p.

Good    mechanical     condition     £25  0  0

---------

All the above Cars in good condition

and carry our guarantee

---------

EDWARDS & HANN, Ltd.,

BRIDPORT

In 1930 an additional director, George L(utley Sclater-Booth (later 4th Baron Basing), The Priory, Odiham, Hants was appointed to the company and a new 26-seat Thornycroft A6 single-decker (registration no. TK 4774) was acquired

On 16 May 1930 the Western Gazette featured the following classified advertisement:

 

SECOND-HAND CARS FOR SALE

1928  11.9 MORRIS OXFORD SALOON,

Licensed     . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    £120 0 0

1929  MORRIS COWLEY SALOON     . . . . . . . . .   .£105 0 0

1926  OXFORD TOURER    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .      £55 0 0

1926  STANDARD COUPE, 14 h.p.     . . . . . . . . . .     £65 0 0

1923  A.C. TWO-SEATER    . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     £25 0 0

1926  SINGER SALOON, 9 h.p.     . . . . . . . . . . . . .     £45 0 0

EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., BRIDPORT

The following week the same advert appeared - minus the Morris Cowley saloon

On 15 August 1930 a court case in which the family was involved was reported in the Western Gazette:

YOUNG AMERICAN'S	result, witness had in his possession a Talbot	prisoner to make some effort at making res-
"STORIES,"	car, which he had sold to prisoner for £325.	stitution. In the meantime, the police would
---	Witness was told by Quinn that £140 of this	give him every assistance he required to get
TALE OF BURNT OUT CAR	amount would be paid with money he was	into touch with his friends.
---	to receive from the insurance company and	MOTHER AND A RING
FALSE REPRESENTATIONS TO BRID-	that the balance would be met by money	At the resumed hearing on Saturday morn-
PORT FIRM.	which he would request his London bankers	ing accused said he had instructed Mr. Pitman-
---	to transfer to the Bridport branch. As a re-	Wing, the local manager of Barclay's Bank
MOTHER'S ACTION OVER A RING	sult of what he heard from the Atlas Assur-	to endeavour to collect the draft which was
	ance Company, witness saw Quinn on Tues-	due to him and which he had reason to believe
Charles Leonard Quinn,  a young  man of good	day. Prisoner, who said he could not under-	he could obtain from his mother.
appearance, and describing himself as  a colour	stand it, was present when a 'phone call was	Mr. Pitman-Wing, called at prisoner's re-
printer,  was  charged  at  the  Bridport  Police-	put through to the Company's head office at	quest, said he had been unable to get into
court  on  Friday  with (1) attempting  to obtain	Nottingham, but he did not avail himself of	communication with the mother, as had the
a  Talbot  motor-car  of  the  value  of  £325 by	the opportunity of speaking to the officials of	manager of the bank at Harpenden, where she
false pretences; (2) unlawfully and fraudulently	the company. Witness was induced to go	resided. It was true there was a draft
obtaining  credit   to  the  extent  of  £23 2s 3d;	ahead with the purchase of the Talbot en	of £43 due to Quinn, but all efforts to come
and  (3)   unlawfully   and  by  false  pretences	tirely because of what Quinn had told him	to an arrangement with the family had so far
obtaining  the  sum  of  £3.	about the money he was to receive from the	failed.
Accused  said  he  was  an  American  subject,	insurance company.	Accused, in a statement to the Bench, said
and   gave  his   address  as   10,  Adam-street,	Prisoner to witness; Was there at any time	he believed the reason why the draft had
Baker-street,  London.	any suggestion made that I should take the car	not been forwarded was due to the fact that
Mr. J. Roper conducted the prosecution, and	before I was satisfied I could pay for it! - No	when just over two months ago he chose to
represented  Messrs. Edwards & Hann, Ltd.,	ACCUSED'S STATEMENT	leave London in this ridiculous manner he had
garage proprietors, of Bridport and Beamin-	Police-Sergeant W. Richardson said that on	in his possession a rind belonging to her which
ster.	Wednesday last he received information that	was to be repaired. He had not returned the
Mr. Roper said prisoner, who  had been stay-	a man was in the town negotiating for the	ring, and naturally his mother did not want
ing  at an  hotel at West Bay, phoned Messrs.	purchase of an expensive car. This informa-	to part with the draft until she was in pos-
Edwards & Hann  from Salisbury some time	tion did not come from Messrs. Edwards and	session of her property.
ago, and asked them to send a car, as he was	Hann. As the description given answered	The Mayor : Have you the ring now! - No,
stranded there. As he was known to the firm	that o a man wanted by the police, he made	sir.
a car was sent as requested.	enquiries, and at a hotel at West Bay Quinn	Are you in position to obtain it! - No,
With  regard to the  Talbot  car  accused told	stated that he was temporarily embarrassed	not from here.
Mr.   Arthur  E.  Hann  that   while  motoring	financially, he owed for his board and lodg-	PAWNED FOR £20
through Andover he stopped to by some cigar-	ing and had borrowed £2 in the hotel. He	Superintendent Beck said that the ring in ques-
ettes, and upon returning from the shop he	still owed for the hire of a car, and had been	tion was valued at £250, and it had been
found that the car, which contained a suit	in negotiation for a car though he knew he	pawned by the accused for £20. It was pro-
case and money, had been stolen. Later, he	had not enough money to pay for it. He was	bably correct that Quinn's mother was with-
told Mr. Hann that the police had notified	expecting about £50 or £60 to be paid in	holding the draft because of that. He (the
him that his car had been found deserted and	the Midland Bank, Northampton, from	Superintendent) had ascertained that accused
burnt out in a lane near Minehead. Quinn	America. He did not know when	was a married man whose wife had left him
added that he was to receive some money from	it was coming . He was so sorry he had caused	and was instituting proceedings against him
the Atlas Assurance Company at Nottingham	all this fuss and bother, but if people would	for divorce.`
but that he was having a little trouble about it.	give him a chance he would put this all	The Mayor said the case , which was a very
It was quite untrue that accused had a car	straight.	difficult one, had received the serious con-
stolen. it was equally untrue that he had	Witness added that as a result of this inter-	sideration of the Bench. Whilst recognising it
any money to come from any insurance com-	view and conversation he was quite satisfied	was prisoner's first offence and wishing to take
pany.	that prisoner was not the man for whom the	into consideration every extenuating circum-
Coming to the charge of fraudulently obtain-	police were still searching. Nothing was	stance, they felt that the nature of the charges
ing credit, Mr. Roper said that while Quinn	known against Quinn at various places where	was so serious that they had no other alter-
was waiting to purchase the Talbot car he	enquiries had been made.	native but to send him to prison. On the first
hired another car and ran up a bill of	"FOOLISH STORIES"	charge he would be sentenced to three months
£23 2s 3d, but the sum did not include the	Prisoner, who asked to be dealt with sum-	in the second division and one month on each
journey from Salisbury. The £3 was drawn	marily, admitted that he had told a lot of	of the remaining counts, the sentences to run
on a cheque, which he promised to produce,	foolish stories, but pleaded that he had not	concurrently. "I hope that when you come
but failed to do so. As a matter of fact, Quinn	acted with any criminal or fraudulent in-	out of prison your people will put you on
had no banking account.	tent. He added that he was hoping to re-	your feet again and that you will endeavour
A TELEPHONE CONVERSATION	ceive certain monies with which he would	to go straight in the future," added the Mayor
Arthur Ernest Hann, a director in the firm	endeavour to meet his obligation.
of Messrs. Edwards & Hann said accused told	The Bench decided to adjourn the case
him he required a large two-seater. As a	until the following morning so as to enable

 

A number of small ads also appeared in the 26 September and 3 October editions:

MORRIS MINOR ,  1930.  Fabric  saloon  blue.  1,700

miles.  £105.  - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

SINGER. Two-seater. 1924. Good condition, including

self-starter,  &c,  £30 . - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD.,

Bridport

MORRIS   OXFORD   15 h.p.   six-cylinder.  Fabric

Saloon   in   black   and   red.   7,000   miles.   Spare

tyre unused. Almost new condition. £220 - EDWARDS

& HANN, LTD., Bridport

MORRIS   OXFORD  Two-seater,  1927,  14/28 h.p.

Mechanically  perfect,  just   repainted,  new  hood

and two new tyres. £30 worth extras, including discs,

sports exhaust, two electric horns, bumpers, Decarbo,

spot light, &c, Any trial. £72 10s. - EDWARDS &

HANN, LTD., Bridport

and 31 October

  

SINGER,  1924,  two-seater,  dickey.  Good  mechani-

cal condition. £29 10s.-- EDWARDS & HANN, LTD.,

Bridport

SINGER,  1928,  two-seater, dickey.  Very  good  con-

dition.  Licensed.  One  owner  only.  £69 10s. --

EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

R.A.C.,  two-seater,  dickey.  Excellent  mechanical

condition.  Just  been  overhauled.  £35.---

EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

STANDARD, 1926, Four-seater, Touring Car. Good

mechanical  condition.  One  owner  only . £55 .--

EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

MORRIS  OXFORD  15 h.p.  six-cylinder. One owner

only. Director of firm. £210.--  EDWARDS & HANN,

LTD., Bridport

The 1931 edition of Kelly's Directory for Dorset contained the following entries -

Beaminster    'Edwards and Hann Ltd, motor engineers and agents, Prout Bridge TN 10' and
Bridport         'Edwards and Hann Ltd, motor engineers and agents (Rolls Royce, Sunbeam, Morris, Jowett &c) East Street, TN 54'

In the Western Gazette's report on 24 July 1931 on the sitting of the Southern area of the Traffic Commissioners held at Dorchester:
Edwards & Hann, Ltd., made and application for a stage carriage licence between Beaminster and West Bay

On 2 and 9 October 1931 the 1928 Singer was re-advertised along with a new Morris Oxford:

 

MORRIS OXFORD,    1931,    Coach-built    Saloon.

Sliding   head,   blue,   with   blue   leather. New   and

unregistered . Reduced price to clear - EDWARDS &

HANN, LTD., Bridport

On 6 November 1931 they still appear to be trying to sell the Singer as a revised small ad appeared in the Western Gazette:

 

SINGER, 1928, 8 h.p., two-seater. Excellent con-

dition.   Two  new  tyres.   Had  little  use.  Many

extras. - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

The following week it was joined by a Morris Oxford:

 

MORRIS OXFORD SALOON,   1928,   only   done

14,800   miles .   Real   leather.   Condition   almost

as new. £95 - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

On 20 November they were advertising the Morris Oxford saloon and two other Morris vehicles:

 

MORRIS 8/10 Cwt. 1931 VAN, in perfect mechani-

cal  condition,  Repainted.  £110. - EDWARDS &

HANN, LTD., Bridport

MORRIS  OXFORD  SALOON,  1928,  only  done

14,800   miles.    Real  leather.   Condition  almost

as new. £95 - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

MORRIS  OXFORD, 1927, two-seater, perfect con-

dition,   leather   upholstery,   disc   wheels,   sports

exhaust,  bumpers,  luggage grid.  Unique sports car.

Excellent mechanical condition. Owner returning to

India - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

By 27 November the Morris Oxford Saloon had gone from the advertisements

On 4 December a general advertisement appeared and remained for the next two weeks:

 

ARE YOU LOOKING for a Good SECOND-HAND

CAR? - EDWARDS & HANN, LTD., Bridport

On 16 April 1933, the bus service was sold to Southern National, TK 4774 acquiring the fleet number 3430. It is believed that around this time the Hanns and the Edwards's went their own way and the Hanns resigned from the board of Edwards & Hann, Arthur Ernest continuing to operate the Beaminster garage in his own right. When he married at Sherborne in October 1934, Arthur Ernest was described as a garage proprietor, rather than a company director

On 20 Oct 1933 the first known advertisement for Arthur E Hann appeared in the Western Gazette

 

"THE CAR THAT CRUISES AT SIXTY."

SALES AND SERVICE DEPOT

(MG    ARTHUR E. HANN, THE GARAGE,

logo)                   BEAMINSTER.

Second-hand M.G. Enquiries invited.

'Phone:   Beaminster 10

The following week the Western Gazette refers in a report to Frank George Hodder of 'Messrs. Hann of Beaminster, motor engineers.'

The MG advertisements continued in the Western Gazette:

2 November 1933

 

" THE CAR WITH THE RACING PEDIGREE ."

TRIAL RUNS WITH PLEASURE

(MG                No obligation, just a revelation

logo)                        ARTHUR E. HANN

THE GARAGE, BEAMINSTER

'Phone: 10

 

10 November and 15 and 22 December 1933

 

" M. G. CARS -- FASTER THAN MOST. "

SALES-SERVICE-SPARES-REPAIRS

(MG                    ARTHUR E. HANN,

logo)          THE GARAGE, BEAMINSTER

THE SPORTS CAR SPECIALIST

17 November and 1 December 1933
 

 

WEST HANTS LIGHT CAR CLUB.

Autumn Night Trial.

(MG               Bournemouth to Barnstaple.

logo)    Special cup. Finest performance. Won by

ARTHUR E. HANN, BEAMINSTER

Car 1934 M.G. MIDGET

As mentioned before Albert Percy, under the name of 'Tommy' Hann, had continued his pioneering engineering work in the development and racing of cars and mixing with the top celebrities of the day during Brooklands' heyday and had a sumptuous office at 1 Albemarle Street, in London's West End.

Edith Constance seems to have joined him and become involved in the heady days of 'flapper' London. By 1930 she, as Miss C Hann, had become the honorary secretary of the Victoria Club for Ladies in fashionable Belgravia and lived at 41 Dorset Mews. 39 Chapel Steet, 49 Knightsbridge and 12 Grosvenor Place overlooking Hyde Park Corner and the gardens of Buckingham Palace. She mixed with the likes of the famous American Hearst family and was became an early trans-Atlantic air passenger as a result of her visits to their home. She had also adopted an alternative name of 'Ann' by then.

Arthur Ernest appears to have returned to take the Beaminster garage back into solely Hann ownership in late 1933 and started placing small ads in the Western Gazette again

17 Nov 1933

 

WEST HANTS LIGHT CAR CLUB.

Autumn Night Trial.

(MG               Bournemouth to Barnstaple.

logo)    Special cup. Finest performance. Won by

ARTHUR E. HANN, BEAMINSTER

Car 1934 M.G. MIDGET

The following year Arthur Ernest appeared regularly in newspaper reports in the Western Gazettes winning various motoring competitions, but unfortunately 'Tommy' ended up living beyond his means, owing money to his office landlord and a nearby garage. A return to Brooklands driving cars himself in 1934 entering a 3 litre Mercedes Hann Special 'Softly catch monkey II' was unsuccessful so, on 12 Apr 1935, Albert Percy still an undischarged bankrupt, in further debt, his nerves wrecked by his torpedoeing and the fatal car accident, had reached the end of the line and committed suicide at 72 Holland Park Avenue, Holland Park, London, the home of the widowed Lady Mildred Williams. This is mentioned in a book published later in the year by Gladys, Marchioness Townshend of Raynham entitled 'True Ghost Stories'

On 12 January 1934 Arthur placed two advertisements in the Western Gazette

 

SHORTHAND   TYPIST,  BOOK-KEEPER   (man),		MOTOR ENGINEER (experienced), Wanted.  Age
Wanted, not over 30.     Small commencing wage,		ot  over  30.  Only  first-class men, proved ex-
but permanency if suitable.- ARTHUR HANN, Garage,		perience, need  apply.- ARTHUR  HANN,  Garage,
Beaminster		Beaminster

On 23 March 1934 Arthur placed another three small ads in the Western Gazette this time to try and let the flat above the garage as well

 

STANDARD,  10  h.p.,  1934,   Saloon    De  Luxe		MORRIS  8-CWT. VAN,  1926, Good condition, Just		FLAT to LET.    Attractive   outlook.    Re-decorated
Syncromesh,   Freewheel,   Leather   upholstery		overhauled. --  ARTHUR  HANN, The  Garage		throughout.   Four   exceptionally   large   rooms
Delivered January1st,   Mileage 2,168,  Aluminium		Beaminster		bath-room, lavatory, attic, Gas, Yearly Tenancy,  No
numbers,   £185, --  ARTHUR  HANN, The Garage				children.- ARTHUR HANN, Beaminster, Dorset
Beaminster

and the flat again in the 9 June 1934 edition

FLAT to let,  4 large rooms,  bath-room,  lavatory,

attic, Gas, Electric supply available if required.

ARTHUR HANN, Beaminster, Dorset

Shortly before his marriage he advertised his MG in the 10 August 1934 edition

 

M G.   1934   "J 2"  8 h. p.   Two-seater.  One   owner.

Forty   pounds  worth   extra,  including   new   set

Michelin   real  low  pressure   tyres.   Just   completely

reconditioned   at   M. G. Factory.    One  of   the   finest

Midgets   in   the  country.   £150.   Trial   run  anywhere

genuine purchaser. --- ARTHUR E. HANN, Beaminster,

Dorset.  'Phione 10.

At the 29 Aug 1934 meeting of Bridport Rural District Council a letter from the Secretary of the Western Traffic Area was considered and it was decided to oppose the National Omnibus Company Ltd's proposed cuts to the West Bay-Bridport-Beaminster bus service.
These were:
1. Withdraw the 15:00 Beaminster-West Bay service
2. Operate on Saturdays only the weekday 15:30 Beaminster-West Bay service
3. Withdraw the Saturday 14:30 Beaminster-Bridport service.

In the 1935 edition of the Bridport Directory, Edwards & Hann Ltd of East Street are still trading, described as engineers & motor agents; authorised Morris agents; officially appointed A.A., R.A.C. & Tecalemit Station. Kelly's
Directory adds a telephone number of Bridport 54 and telegraphic address of 'Garage, Bridport'

On 7 June 1935 AE Hann of The Garage, Beaminster appeared as an agent for Singer cars in a large photo-advertisement in the Western Gazette for their new 9hp 4-seater Family de Luxe Saloon selling at £199.

On 9 August 1935 he had a large advertisement in his own right

 

1935 DEMONSTRATION CARS

STANDARD TWELVE  SALOON,  £219 model.

STANDARD NINE SALOON,  £145 model.

SINGER NINE MODEL,  £182 10s. model

The above Licensed Demonstration Cars are available

for quick sale to make room for new models.  Prices on

application.

ARTHUR E. HANN.

THE GARAGE, BEAMINSTER, DORSET. 'Phone 10.

On 30 August 1935 the following advertisements appeared

 

MINERVA    Saloon,   Occasional     Seats.     Licensed

Hackney    Carriage.   £60.     Magnificent    condi-

tion.-- ARTHUR E. HANN, Garage, Beaminster, Dorset.

'Phone 10.

MORRIS COWLEY  1929 Model, Saloon,  Licensed

1935. Very nice condition. --  ARTHUR E. HANN,

Garage, Beaminster, Dorset, 'Phone 10.

On 29 January 1936, Albert's wife, Edith Mary, died at the age of 71 (an announcement being placed in 'The Times').

Arthur had two more vehicles for sale on 16 October:

MORRIS     Van,     8/10 cwt.,   1931.    Privately

owned,   country  house.  Very  sound  little

vehicle,   £25.  --  Arthur E. Hann,  The   Garage

Beaminster,   Dorset.

STANDARD  1933  Model   Little   Nine   Saloon

De   Luxe.   12   volt.   lighting.   10,239   miles.

Licensed..  One owner.  Almost as new.  £75 10s.

- Arthur Hann, The Garage, Beaminster.

'Phone 10.

On 22 May it was another Morris Cowley

 

MORRIS COWLEY  1928 Saloon,  very  clean con-

dition   and   runs   well.   £22  10s.  --  ARTHUR E.

HANN, The Garage, Beaminster, Dorset, 'Phone 10.

And on 13 November

 

MORRIS   8 Cwt.  Van,   July, 1931,  splendid

condition,   Dunlop  Fort  tyres.  Used   for

country house work only. One owner. £27 10s

- Arthur Hann, Beaminster, Dorset.  'Phone 10.

In the same edition Edwards & Hann had a advertisement for three second-hand cars

The following week Arthur was selling another MG

 

M. G. MAGNA, F. type, April, 1932, Attractive

2-Seater  Sports,    Body   by   Styles.     Ex-

cellent  condition.   Tyres   good.   £60 -- Arthur

Hann,    Beaminster,    Dorset.    'Phone 10.

Arthur placed an advertisement in the Western Gazette between 27 November 1936 and  1 January 1937 in an attempt to let the flat above the garage again ('Uppova')

 

ATTRACTIVE FLAT, situated in one of the

prettiest  arts of Dorset.  Dining-room,

very  large lounge,  kitchen, two  bedrooms.

Separate lavatory  and bathroom.  Constant

hot  water.  Electric lighting and  gas. Good

attic. -- Arthur Hann,  Beaminster,  Dorset.

'hone 10

In February 1937, TK 4774 was sold off by Southern National. Arthur Ernest was shown under his own name in the Royal Automobile Club as their agent at The Garage, Beaminster. Edwards & Hann Ltd in Bridport were one of two RAC agents there

Arthur E Hann advertisements continued appearing as follows:

12 March 1937

 

SINGER,   1931,   Two-seater.      Very  clean

Sound condition.  Tyres excellent.  £22 10s

-- Arthur Hann, Beaminster, Dorset.  'Phone 10

2 April 1937

 

TALBOT  Scout  Saloon,   14 h.p.   1931  model.

Tyres   as   new.  Absolutely   sound   through-

out.  Cost £395.  £38. -- Arthur Hann, Beaminster

Dorset.   'Phomne 10.

18 March 1938 - A lawn mower for a change

 

ATCO   Motor  Mower, 16-inch machine.

Just been thoroughly reconditioned, per-

fect  mechanically,    £12 -- Arthur  Hann,

Beaminster, Dorset.  'Phone 10.

20 May and 10 June 1938

 

MORRIS Eight, Series I., Two-door  Saloon

de Luxe. Mileage 17,000. Unused   since

December  31st.   In  magnificent   condition

throughout. £85 - Arthur E. Hann, Beaminster

Dorset. Tel.: Beaminster 210

 
on 26 May 1938 the 17 March advertisement reappeared with the asking price reduced to £30

On 17 March, 26 and 27 May 1939 a Mr Hodder was selling from Hann's Garage

 

MORRIS Family 8, excellent condition, £35.

Hodder,  c/o Hann's Garage,  Beaminster.

Dorset.

26 and 27 May 1939 - another lawn mower

 

ATCO   Motor  Mower,  14-inch  demonstra-.

tion  model.   With  transporting  carrier

As new   £15 -- Arthur  Hann, Garage, Bea-

minster. 'Phone 210.

 

and finally on 14 July 1939

 

AUSTIN Seven 1935 Ruby Saloon de Luxe,

green, green leather, exceptional  condi-

tion, 19,841 miles, three new tyres, licensed

to  end  of year.  £53 10s -- Arthur E. Hann,

The  Garage,  Beaminster,  Dorset.  'Phone:

Beaminster 210

Around this time Arthur Ernest may have been preparing to take a back seat at the garage as some advertisements during 1939 referred buyers again to Hodder, c/o Hann' s Garage and by the National Register of 29 September 1939 he is shown as a motor garage proprietor but does not seem to have advertised his business after July 1939.  Frank Bridle was operating his garage in Fleet Street (Fleet Street Garage Co?) and Leonard H Gibbs was also providing further competition as a motor, motor cycle and cycle engineer of Prout Bridge, though this was the garage at what is now known as 1 Whitcombe Road (near the old Congregational Chapel that now houses Beaminster Museum)  There has also been a garage opposite the museum which is now just a hand car wash.  Gibbs is also shown as being at 'The Garage, Beaminster' in an Exide car battery advertisement on 23 October 1936

By 29 September 1939 Edith Constance had also moved from Belgravia to the Savoy Hotel garage in Adelphi Arches in The Strand in order to take part in the war effort becoming Commandant for the Auxiliary Ambulance Service with a team that included her Deputy-Commandant Lady Wilton (widow of Sir Thomas Wilton JP CA, shipping company owner and former Mayor of Dartmouth), Mrs Everard How (formerly Lady Lymington, divorced wife of 9th Earl of Portsmouth and mother of his heir Viscount Lymington). Elizabeth and Pamela Phillips (sisters of Sir Lionel Phillips) and Felix Krish (son of conductor Serge Krish).

On 21st August 1940 the following notice appeared in the London Gazette

 

In  the Matter  of EDWARDS & HANN Limited,  and

in  the  Matter  of  the  Companies  Act, 1929.

NOTICE  is hereby given pursuant to section 238

of the Companies  Act, 1929, that  a Meeting of the

creditors of the above named Company will be held

at  65, East Street, Bridport  on  Thursday  the 12th

day of September,1940 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon,

for  the purposes  provided for  in the said section --

Dated the 21st day of August, 1940.

J TURNBULL, Secretary

At the meeting, the garage company went into voluntary liquidation and a further notice appeared in the London Gazette

In the Matter of EDWARDS & HANN Limited, and

in the Matter of the Companies Act,1929.

At  an  Extraordinary  General  Meeting  of  the

Members of the above named Company, duly con-

vened  and  held  at  65,  East  Street,  Bridport  on

Thursday  the  12th  day  of  September  1940,  the

following   Extraordinary   resolution   was   duly

passed:-

"That  it  has  been  proved  to  the   satisfaction  of

this Meeting that the Company  cannot by reason of

its  liabilities  continue  its business, and  that  it  is

advisable to wind up the same, and accordingly that

the Company be wound up voluntarily, and that Mr.

Guy  Langley  Atherton   A.C.A.,  of  Bridport,   be

hereby appointed Liquidator for the purposes of the

winding-up"

At a Meeting of the Creditors duly convened and sub-

sequently  on  the  same   date   at   65,  East  Street,

Bridport,  the   appointment  of  Mr.  Guy  Langley

Atherton A.C.A. as such Liquidator was confirmed.

SIDNEY EDWARDS,

Chairman of both Meetings

Two preliminary announcements followed by normal and final announcements appeared in the Western Gazettes of 18 and 25 October 1940 and 1 an 8 November 1940 regarding the auctioning of Edwards & Hann's equipment and machinery:

By Direction of G. L. Atherton, Esq., Liquidator

of Edwards & Hann, Bridport, Ltd., Motor

Engineers and Tecalemit Agents

-----------------------

70, EAST STREET, BRIDPORT, DORSET.

-----------------------

(PRELIMINARY/FINAL) ANNOUNCEMENT of HIGHLY-IMPORTANT

SALE of the Whole of the Valuable

GARAGE EQUIPMENT and MACHINERY

including:- 4 Avery Hardoll Electric Petrol

Pumps; Leo Air and Water Tower; Tecalemit

Air Compressor; Tecalemit High Lift Car Ramp;

Extra Strong Steel Girder Sliding Car Ramp,

to hold 3 Vehicles; Pulley Block and Tackle

with Girder Bracket; 7 Oil Cabinets.

The Whole of the

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT and REPAIR WORK

SHOP MACHINERY,

including:- A Newton Test Bench and Lathe;

Newton Fault Finder; Rotax Heavy Duty Drill;

Black and Decker 10in. Bench Grinder; Valve

Refacers and Grinders; Remagnetizer; 8-Ton

Heavy Press; Steel Shafting; Welding Forge;

Hydraulic and other Jacks; Batteries; Tools, &c.,

LANCIA 25/30 h.p. BREAKDOWN  LORRY;

Morris Van.

The Comprehensive stock of Morris and other

Spares; Electrical Fittings; Car Oil and Grease;

Trade Stock; Shop-soiled Tyres; Office and

Store-room fittings; and numerous other Items,

which

T. R. G. LAWRENCE & SON have received

instruction to SELL by AUCTION on

THURSDAY NEXT, NOVEMBER 14TH, 1940,

at 11 a.m. punctually, owing to the number of Lots

On View Day prior from 10 till 4 p.m., and

Morning of Sale.

Detailed Slips on application to the Auctioneers

N.B. Cheques not accepted from unknown

Purchasers.

On 1 November 1940 the main announcement appeared in the Western Gazette. 
[this has been included for historical purposes to show the sort of equipment required to run a garage business at the time]

 

By Direction of G. L. Atherton, Esq., Liquidato

of Edwards & Hann, Bridport, Ltd., Motor

Engineers and Tecalemit Agents

50 EAST STREET, BRIDPORT, DORSET

ANNOUNCEMENT of HIGHLY-IMPORTANT SALE

of the Whole of the Valuable

GARAGE EQUIPMENT and MACHINERY

including:- 4 Avery Hardoll Electric Petrol

Pumps; Leo Air and Water Tower; Tecalemit

Air Compressor (300b.); 7 Oil Cabinets; 2 Oil

Tanks

TECALEMIT HIGH LIFT CAR RAMP;

in excellent condition;

Engine Trolleys; Avery's Platform Scale;

EXTRA STRONG STEEL GIRDER SLIDING CAR

RAMP

to hold 3 Vehicles, consisting of 3 prs. of 17ft.

Steel Ramps (15in. x 4in.) and Two 2ft. 6in.

Steel Girders (15in. x 5in.);

PULLEY BLOCK and TACKLE Complete with

Iron Girder Bracket;

ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT and REPAIR WORK-

SHOP MACHINERY, &c.,

Including Champion Plug Tester; A.C. Plug

Cleaner; and Fuel Pump

ROTAX 1in. HEAVY DUTY ELECTRIC DRILL

(A.C. or D.C.); Black and Decker 10in. Bench

Grinder; Newton Armature Growler; Rotax Uni-

versal Valve Refacer; Black and decker Vibro

Centre Valve Seat Grinder' Remagnetizer;

NEWTON ELECTRIC TEST BENCH and LATHE;

Crypton Battery Rectifier; Crypton Voltmeter;

3 TON HEAVY PRESS; 2 Micrometers; Van

Norman Cylinder Boring Bar and Cutters;

Black and Decker ¼in. Electric Drill; NEWTON

ELECTRICAL FAULT FINDER; set of Camera

Stocks and Dies; Weldong Forge; 5 Iron Vices;

2 Hydraulic Heavy Garage Jacks; Long Reach

Jack; 12 Hydraulic and other Jacks;

About 18ft. of STEEL SHAPING. with 4 Brackets

and 6 Pulleys; 2 Tecalamit Grease Buckets; 2

Paint Sprayers; Primus Blow Lamp; Four

Workshop Benches.

OFFICE and STORE-ROOM FITTINGS:-

Oak and Stained Kneehole Desks; Office Chairs;

Two L. C. Smith Typewrites; 4-Drawer Steel

Filing Cabinet; 5ft. Mahogany Dining Table;

Iron Firepproof Salt (18in. x 16in. x 24in.); a 17ft.

Glazed Showcase (9ft. 3in. high); 7 Minimax

Fire Extinguishers; Expanded Metal and Tim-

ber Workshop Enclosure' a 21ft. Stock-room

Bench; Several Useful Nests of Tool Drawers;

Pigeon Holes; and Shelving for Spares and Fit-

tings, &c.

STOCK-IN-TRADE

includes Quantity Radiator Hose; Electric and

Speedometer Cable; Fan Belts; Quantity Engine

Gaskets; Morris Crown Wheels; Pistons; Bear-

ings; Brake Shoes; and Linings; Brake Com-

ponents; Hardy Couplings; Valves; Miscellane-

ous other Morris Spares; Quantity Electrical

Spares and Fittings; Quantity Car Bulbs and

Plugs; Three 40-gall. Drums of Suproil; 5 Galls.

Daimler Gear Oil; about 60 Galls. Bulk Oils;

Quantity Tins of Car Oils and Grease; Carbuoy

of Acid; 7 Empty Carbuoys; 20 Shop-soiled Car

Tyres and 27 Tubes; 7 Shop-soiled M/C. Tyres;

25/30 h.p. LANCIA BREAKDOWN LORRY, com-

plete with Lifting and Towing Tackle, in good

running order; Morris Cowley Van; 4 Scrap

Saloon Cars; Four 40=Gall. Steel Drums; Corru-

gated Iron and Timber Shed; and numerous

other Items, which

T. R G LAWRENCE & SON have received

instructions to SELL by AUCTION on

THURSDAY, 14th November, 1940 at 11 a.m. punc-

tually, owing to the Number of Lots.

On View Day prior from 10 till 4 p.m., and

Morning of Sale.

N.B.- Cheques will not be accepted from un-

known Purchasers

The Western Gazette of 22 November reported:

 

GARAGE EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY AT

BRIDPORT,  NOVEMBER  14..--  Messrs. T. R. G.

Lawrence   &   Son,   of   Bridport,  Crewkerne  and

Chard,   acting    under    instructions    for    Mr.  G.

L.  Atherton,    liquidator    of    Edwards    &   Hann.

Bridport,  Ltd.  motor  engineers,  held  a  sale  of

the  equipment  at  70,  East-street,  Bridport.  The

large   company   included   buyers   from   as   far

afield    as    London,    Southampton,   and    Bath.

Exceedingly   good   prices  were realised  through-

out,  and  the  500  lots  were cleared in record time.

Principal   prices:  --  Five   crown   wheels,  £9 10s;

brake  linings  to  30s  lot; ball  bearings to  50s  lot ;

hydraulic   jacks.   £11 10s  and  £12;  other   jacks,

20s  to  42s;  pressure  grease  bucket. £7 15s; plat-

form  scale.  £8;  stocks  and  dies.  £3 7s 6d;  tools,

£3; valve seat grinder. £19 10s; ¼in. drill. £4 5s; test

bench.  £40;  boring  bar  £75;  cylinder  gauge  £7;

two  micrometers.  £6;  electric  drill.  £29;   8-ton

press  £11;   sliding  car  ramp  £32;   compressor.

£24;  engine   trolleys.  £4  and  £2;   block   and

tackle.   £6 10s;   Morris   van.   £11;   breakdown

lorry.  £35;  air  and  water  tower. £4 5s; car ramp.

£15;  electric  petrol  pumps.  £28  and  £20;  nest

of   drawers.   £4 &c.;  typewriter.  £10 5s;  steel

filing   cabinet.  £5 10s.   The  whole  of  the  stock-

in-trade. loose  tools.  fittings.  oils  and  general

equipment  made  extremely  good  prices.

On 10 November 1941 a further notice appeared in the London Gazette
 

 

EDWARDS & HANN Ltd

(In Voluntary Liquidation)

the Companies Act,1929.

NOTICE  is hereby  given pursuant  to section 244

of the  Companies Act,  1929, that  a  Meeting  of  the

creditors   of    the   above   Company  will   be   held

at  65,  East Street,  Bridport,  Dorset  on  Monday the

24th November, 1941 for the purposes provided for in

the said section - Dated the 10th November 1941.

G. L. Atherton, Liquidator

About this time Arthur Ernest relocated to Dorchester where as County Ambulance and Transport Officer he became responsible for the Dorset Reserve Ambulance Convoy.

On 26 March 1943 a notice regarding Albert Hann and Sons also appeared in the London Gazette that read
 

COMPANIES ACT, 1929.

Notice is hereby given, pursuant to section 295 (3)

of 19 & 20 Geo. V. ch. 23  (Companies Act, 1929),

that at the expiration of three  months from the  date

hereof, the names of the undermentioned Companies

will, unless cause is shown to the contrary, be struck

off the Register, and the Companies will be dis-

solved:-

.......... Albert Hann and Sons Limited .........

P Martin, Registrar of Companies.

Companies Registration Office,

Grand Hotel, Llandudno,

Caernarvonshire.

26th March, 1943

This was followed by another notice four days later that read
/

 

In the Matter of EDWARDS and HANN Limited

(In Voluntary Liquidation) and in the Matter of

the Companies Act, 1929.

NOTICE is hereby given that pursuant to Section

245 of the Companies Act, 1929 the Final Meetings

of  the Members and of  the creditors of  the above

named  Company  will  be  held  at  the  offices  of

Messrs.  G. L.  Atherton  and  Company,  Chartered

Accountants,  65,  East  Street,  Bridport, on Thurs-

day  the  16th  day  of  May  1946 at  3.15 p.m. and

3.30  p.m., respectively,  for the purpose of having

an  account  laid  before  them  and  to  resolve  the

Liquidator's Report showing how the winding-up of

the  Company  has been conducted and the property

of  the  Company  disposed  of  and  of  hearing any

explanation  that  may  be  given  by  the  Liquidator

and also of directing the manner in which the books,

accounts and documents of the Company and  of the

Liquidator thereof shall be disposed of -- Dated this

30th day of March, 1946.

G. L. ATHERTON, Liquidator

Edwards & Hann Ltd eventually being wound up at the 16 May 1946 meeting.

Strangely though, I'm sure I saw photo of an advert for the company, still of East Street, Bridport and now an agent for the Rootes Group of motor manufacturers, in a 1960s Bridport guide. Perhaps the name was bought from the liquidator by the garage that took oner the site and business and initially traded as Star Garage

At some time around the War, Edith Constance moved from Belgravia, down the road to Knightsbridge, where she stayed for around twenty years

On 27 May 1949 Florence Sarah retired and put her home at Dover House up for sale in the Western Gazette

T. R. G. LAWRENCE & SON

AUCTIONEERS, SURVEYORS & VALUERS

CREWKERNE, BRIDPORT & CHARD

'Phones  71           183               3103

-------------------------------------------------------

In the Old-World Town of

BEAMINSTER

6   miles   from   Bridport   and   within   easy

reach   of   a   delightful   stretch   of   the West

Dorset   Coast,   with  ts 18  hole  Golf  Course.

Daily 'Bus Service

The   exceptionally   well-built  and   superior*

type   of  Brick   and  Slated  TERRACE  RESI-

DENCE      "DOVER      HOUSE",      PROUT

BRIDGE,   in   particularly   good   order,  cen-

trally    and    pleasantly    situate,    containing:

Nice   Hall;    2    excellent    Reception-rooms;

Kitchenette;   4   good   Bedrooms;   Bathroom;

Box-room.     Small     Garden.     Outbuildings.

Main   Services.   VACANT    POSSESSION,

which

T.  R.  G.  LAWRENCE  &  SON  will  SELL

by AUCTION,  at an  EARLY  DATE (un-

less    previously    Sold    by    Private  Treaty)

To view  and for  further particulars  apply

to the Auctioneers

(* it was built by C&A Hann after all)

On 10 June a much abbreviated version was published advising a date of 15 June for the auction and on 19 August a further notice to announce that although the property failed to sell at the auction it had subsequently been sold by private treaty

On 10 January 1953, Arthur died in Beaminster, aged 94 years. Later that year, in volume 98 of The autocar, his son Arthur Ernest wrote a letter in reply to previous correspondence as follows:

"I would like to say that my late father Albert Hann of Beaminster, Dorset, owned a Motobloc car; I enclose a photograph of it with it's original coachwork. My late brother, Tommy Hann, subsequently stripped this car and ran it at Brooklands, in the form shown in the second photograph. Returning again to Dorset, the Motobloc was fitted with a bus body and, although very high geared, it ran a local bus....' Unfortunately I do not have the rest or the photos as this comes from a 'snippet' at http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=8hAnAAAAMAAJ&q=hann+beaminster&dq=hann+beaminster&hl=en&ei=VzgOTYHEDYeShAfuzfi2Dg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=6&ved=0CDoQ6AEwBTgK

Between 1954 and 1961 Arthur Ernest was shown in the telephone directory as living in Portarlington Road, Boscombe but in 1960 he was recorded as a garage proprietor in Yeovil when his wife, Molly, died there aged 50 years

By 1962 Edith Constance had moved again to South Kensington

Having returned to Bournemouth by 1972, Arthur Ernest died at Herrison Hospital, Charminster, Dorset, aged 70 years in Mar 1973

In March 1979, Edith Constance, the only girl in the family, who had a house at 49 Whittingstall Road, Parson's Green, Greater London, died unmarried at 36 Bernard Gardens, Wimbledon, Greater London, aged 83 years. She had had an exciting life varying from 'high society' to sleeping in a camper van, but never seems to have lost her sense of humour and special outlook on life

Of Charles's family:

His wife - Julia Eleanor moved to her mother's house at Dover House, 20 Prout Bridge, Beaminster following his death. She died there on 25 July 1928, aged 73 years

Julia Mary (christened at St Mary's church on 10 Dec 1879) - moved to Peachland, British Columbia where she married fellow-Brit Ashley Howard Stribling and died on 21 September 1927, aged 47 years

Ellen Louise (christened at St Mary's church on 2 Mar 1881) - married a chemist/pharmacist called Frank Wainwright and having initially moved to Leicester, soon moved to Eastleigh, Hampshire. There, the couple ran a successful business that also employed her sister, Clara Edith and continued, through their son, as Frank Wainwrght & Son Ltd. Their daughter marrying Ellen Louise's uncle Edwin's son

Emily Susan (born 10 Aug 1882) - had died in infancy on 7 Oct 1883

Charles Carpenter (christened at St Mary's church on 27 Jun 1884) - was a carpenter before moving to Warlingham, Surrey where he became a builder, dying in March 1958, aged 73 years. Strangely he married an Agnes Mary Edwards in Derby in 1913 (another Edwards and Hann partnership!). Agnes Mary's father was born in Dorchester and grandfather in Hawkchurch, so it is possible that he and Sidney R Edwards were distantly related

Florence Sarah (born 13 Feb 1886) - having been an apprentice bookbinder and stationer and acquaintance of Thomas Hardy (who it is now known was her 4th cousin once removed) became a teacher for many years at Beaminster Grammar School and in retirement moved to Twyford, Hampshire - to be with her sister Clara Edith - where she died, at Rosemary Cottage, 4 The Drove, just short of her 105th birthday, on 25 January 1991

Clara Edith (born 3 Jul 1888) - became a pharmacist's assistant, working for her sister Ellen and her husband in their shop at Eastleigh, Hampshire, and also lived at Rosemary Cottage, where she died, unmarried, in June 1975 at the age of 86

Of all of the children of both of the Prout Bridge families, only five are known to have married - Albert Percy, Arthur Ernest, Julia Mary, Ellen Louise and Charles Carpenter. Only one, Ellen Louise, is known to have had any children.

Of Charles's and Arthur's siblings, those that did not die young or unmarried, left the area, with the exception of Fanny Jane Payne (Christened at St Mary's church on 12 Mar 1843) and Susan (christened at St Mary's church on 2 Feb 1855).

Fanny Jane Payne married Daniel Bowditch in the Weymouth area in late 1867, ran the Swan public house in Misterton, just up the road from Beaminster.  Following Daniel's death and a move to Balham, London,.she emigrated to Grand Rapids, Michigan as did three of her sons and her brother Hugh and his family and died there in 1935

Susan was a barmaid at the White Hart in Beaminster and disappeared after the 1891 census when she was visiting Netherbury. She finally married a Wiltshire farmer called John Everett in Hindon, Wiltshire (where her aunt Emily Hann (later Isaac lived) just before her 55th birthday and lived at Tisbury, Wiltshire from 1900 to 1911, when John died. Susan then moved to Westham near Weymouth in Dorset (as had Emily Isaac and another aunt Eliza Hann - later Joy) where she died in 1922. They had no children

Of the properties

I believe that the house, builders' yard/garage premises and workshops have become 26 Prout Bridge (now known as Kingfisher House) together with Garden House and Fives Court (26A) and 'Uppova' is now 28 Prout Bridge (the base for a handyman business), 'Dover House' is still known as such, at 20 Prout Bridge (formerly base for a travel agent) and 'Holmleigh' 18 Prout Bridge (the base for a firm of architects). The printer and stationer shop in The Square that was run by Charles Carpenter Hann and his sister Florence Sarah was still connected with paper as a newsagent, but is now being used for other purposes

On 25 August 1894 much of the Prout Bridge area of Beaminster was severely damaged when the River Brit, which runs between the houses and the road, flooded causing 10-22 Prout Hill to have to be demolished and replaced (including those on what became Holmleigh and Dover House), 24 survived but was reconfigured. A full report of this event is available (at a charge) at www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000526/18940829/066/0007
Beaminster museum also have a number of pictures including one showing a damaged C&A Hann waggon 

26 Prout Bridge now known as 'Kingfisher House', home of many of the Hann family and site of their businesses. The main building formed the family home, 28 over the arch was known as Uppova and to the rear was the builder's yard where Garden House and Fives Court now stand.  To the right can be seen 24 'Brook Cottage' which was occupied by Charles's family just before World War 1 and the tall chimney-stack of 'Dover House' (again once occupied by the Hanns) can be seen

'Dover House' (20 Prout Bridge) and 'Holmleigh' (18 Prout Bridge) formerly occupied by the Hann family and two of those rebuilt by C&A Hann to replace those destroyed by the 1894 flood

Full details of the latest sales detail and photographs of these properties can be seen at

12 (ground floor) - October 2016 -  Rightmove website
12 (first floor) - October 2012 -  Rightmove website
18 - December 2007 - Rightmove website
20 - May 2002 - Rightmove website
24 - August 2010 - Rightmove website
26 - July 2017 - Rightmove website