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My understanding is that T.H. Gem, known universally as Harry, the lawn tennis pioneer, was one of the main drivers behind the project to launch the Union Club and build dedicated premises. Harry was, for a few years, a member of the Edgbaston Archery Society and we have a contemporaneous entry...

That’s so very kind of you. Many thanks indeed.

I’m writing the history of Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society, the oldest lawn tennis club in the world. George Dixon was a member of the Society when it was Edgbaston Archery Society in the 1860s. I wonder wether you’d be happy to send me a high resolution (409dpi) copy of the postcard. I...

Yes I recall Dickie at St Philip’s Grammar School.

Having successfully restored Harry’s grave in Warstone Lane, Birmingham, UK and erected blue plaques on the locations of his and his co-lawn tennis pioneer Augurio Perera’s homes in Leamington Spa, we turn our attention to the restoration of Harry’s scrapbook. The scrapbook was deposited in...

Ann Haydon, not Heywood.

Hello Judy Just spotted this thread. I'm writing a brief history of Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society, the oldest lawn tennis club in the world. Among the membership (1860 - 1888) are numbered some seven Elkingtons. In addition, the Elkington firm manufactured a trophy which was named...

Lawn tennis pioneer’s restored grave unveiled in Birmingham. The restored grave of Harry Gem, Victorian lawn tennis pioneer, was unveiled recently by Ann Jones, who this year celebrates the golden anniversary of her winning the singles title at the Wimbledon Championships in 1969. Guests at...

I sent them details of the event.

Thanks. Much appreciated.

We'll be sending out a report and photos to the media.

Thanks. It's been a long process but very rewarding.

Yes, indeed it is the golden anniversary of Ann’s Wimbledon win and, yes indeed, she unveiled Harry Gem’s restored grave last week. There has been a short report in FaceBook but I’ve been waiting for photographs from the photographer before posting full details on our web site, FB page and here.

We might need to arrange a bit of subtle cleaning.

The ledger stone is the orginal placed on the grave in 1881 when Gem was buried. The only new engraving on this is his wife's details. She died in 1890 and, for whatever reason, she was not recorded on the stone at the time.

I'm interested in and trying to find out more about an Elizabeth Barnsley who had an illegitimate son Thomas Henry, baptised at Handsworth 11th July 1819. Our best bets about Elizabeth are that she could have been the daughter of James and Mary Barnsley, born 1797, or of Thomas and Elizabeth and...

Yes, I notced that subtle definition.

Yes, that's her. Yorkshire family.