John Lewis builder & Contracter

Post by **slewis** » 20 Feb 2010 12:23

Hi
I am looking for infomation about my husbands grandfather John Lewis born abt 1878 Darowen Montgomery, Wales, he moved to Liverpool and married Jane Edwards, in 1901 he had his owen building firm.
1926
John Lewis builder & Contracter, 37 Courtland Road, wavertree 725
" " Muirhead Av , Old Swan 886

we have been told he built the fire station in Allerton rd, the Bull ring, and he went bust when building Speke airport when he hit quicksand.

I can not find any info on him or his company can any one help please with web sites any help would be very much appreciated.
kind regards Sue

Post by **daggers** » 20 Feb 2010 12:45

There is a rare book about the Welsh builders of Liverpool - a copy in the central library is not much use to you in Wilts!
I will have a look next week when I visit, but someone seeing this may get there first or have their own copy.
D

Post by **jan44** » 20 Feb 2010 12:53

I have the book The Welsh Builder on Merseyside, I will have a look and see if there is anything in it.

Jan

Post by **jan44** » 20 Feb 2010 13:10

Here we are (extracted from the book)

JOHN LEWIS, Courtland Road-1878-1944

Born Darowen, near Machynlleth, Montgomeryshire. After working on a farm came to Liverpool in 1896 in search of a job and was apprenticed as a joiner to a Waterloo builder. His knowledge of English was meagre, but by practice and experience soon overcame his drawback. He attended evening classes in building consruction in order to prepare for the future. During 1914-1918 held a responsible position in the joinery department of Messrs Grayson & Rollo & Co, the well-known shipbuilders. The experience enabled him to start on his own account as a builder and contractor. He undertook contracts for the Liverpool Corporation, such as flats and houses in Muirhead Avenue and Lewisham Road, in Clubmoor. He contracted for constructing the hangers at Speke Aerodrome and the sub-structure of the control tower. He also built the Liverpool Stadium, which at one time was the district of the old "Welsh Town." He built cinemas and factories, the Allerton Fire Station, and schools in Leamington Road.

In his early days was a member of Waterloo Calvanistic Methodist church, then of David Street and finally of Heathfield Road.

Jan

Post by **slewis** » 20 Feb 2010 13:28

Hi daggers, and Jan
What can I say thankyou so much this is great I had just about given up
Kind regards Sue

Post by **jan44** » 20 Feb 2010 22:18

Hi Sue,

Grayson Rollo & Clover were in Birkenhead, scroll down to the last photo on this link. http://www.merchantnavyofficers.com/topp17.html

Jan

Post by **daggers** » 20 Feb 2010 23:02

I think Grayson R & C also had premises in the south docks on the Liverpool side.

Post by **jan44** » 20 Feb 2010 23:23

Hi Daggers.

They were just listed as Graysons - Birkenhead in the 1911 directory, and in the 1938 directory as follows

Grayson Rollo & Clover Docks Ltd, dry dock owners, ship repairers, engineers, ironfounders, forgers, coppersmiths and joinery manufacturers.
Head office Sandhills Liverpool.

Works
Liverpool, North Works Sandhills, South Works Wapping, Clover dry dock Rose Brae Birkenhead, Garston Dale Street.

Jan

Post by **Tina** » 21 Feb 2010 10:16

Hi
Grayson Rollo were also at Garston for many years.
My Ed's grandpa worked there also his Dad.

Tina

Great info Jan...

Post by **slewis** » 21 Feb 2010 12:02

Hi all
Thanks for this extra info
Kind regards Sue

Post by **daggers** » 21 Feb 2010 13:20

Sue
Let me know if you want a photo of Allerton Fire Station. I pass it often. Two matching hangers are still in use at the old airport, but not for aircraft. The original control tower is now a hotel. You may find something by googling 'Liverpool Airport History' or similar. There are a couple of books about it, too.

Post by **slewis** » 21 Feb 2010 15:06

Hi daggers
Thats very kind of you but no need we do have one of the fire station, but it was very kind of you to offer, thanks for you help
kind regards Sue