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Thanks for that. She moved to Bearwood sometime in the next ten years, as her address at the time of the 1911 census was Galton Road.

It appears, from the 1901 census, that Kate Pearson, a great great aunt of mine, was running a small orphanage in Lee Crescent Edgbaston by the name of Crowley or Bromley Orphanage. Any ideas where I might find out more?

The latest on the restoration of Harry Gem's grave in Warstone Lane Cemetery. We achieved our fund raising target a couple of months ago and commissioned Midland Conservation to carry out the work of rebuilding the grave architecture. The photographs show progress to date. One of the new side...

For a while back in the 1970s I handled Hudson's advertising. Going to the shop for meetings was always a treat because I'd have every excuse to browse the bookshelves instead of rushing back to the agency!

The Harry Gem Project (www.theharrygemproject.co.uk) now have all the necessary approvals to restore/rebuild Harry's grave. Fund-raising began last November with a campaign to corporate organisations. Our target is £10,000.00 to cover the work (£7,000.00 approx) with the remainder in trust...

Thanks again Rosie.

Thanks for doing a bit of housekeeping Rosie! We have a quotation for rebuilding the grave and now await the approval of the Diocese to proceed. An application has been made for a Bishop's Faculty (July last year) and you remind me that I must chase this up'.

I tracked Peter down to Jersey a year or so before his death so was able to conduct some correspondence with him. He had been unable to prove a direct link to Major Harry Gem nor, I think, had his nephew who took on the role of the Gem family archivist/researcher.

We're expecting to have soon an estimate for the renovation and rebuilding of the grave which will include replacement of the body stone on gothic sides.

News of our discovery of the ledger stone to Harry Gem's grave in Warstone Lane Cemetery was written up in last week's Birmingham Post (27.06.13), including editorial comment.

That's television! Catch the programme whilst it's on ITVPlayer: https://www.itv.com/itvplayer/britain-s-secret-homes/series-1/episode-4

The plaque was put put some time around 1972 when it was thought that Gem and Perera started experimenting in 1865. Since 1972 it has been established that their experiments date back to 1859 (correspondence in The Field magazine of 1874 being the source material). So the date of 1865 is...

Note that the plaque displays the incorrect date. It is now believed that Gem and Perera's experiments began as early as 1859.

A photograph of Harry Gem in his uniform of captain of the Birmingham Volunteer Corps has come to light recently. Taken in 1868 it has lain in the files of a local Masonic Lodge. See it at www.theharrygemproject.co.uk.

Yes, that's what I originally thought. Must have read it in the press article.

I'm thinking about the anomaly of John Willcox supposedly buried in one grave (P1364) but commemorated on another (P1564). Could it be a simple transcription error in the records - reading 3 as a 5?

Chris Elks (right) and I re-enacted Harry Gem and Augurio Perera's first game of lawn tennis, on Wednesday 25th May, in the garden of Perera's old home in Ampton Rad, Edgbaston, where the two pals first experimented with the game in 1859.

Helen Maria Gem is in P1527. Just up the hill from Thomas Henry near the path.

Yes Brian, a Bishop's Faculty has been applied for on behalf of the Harry Gem Project. Waiting eagerly with a trowel at the ready! I was told by the Handsworth office that only TH Gem, Ann Willcox and Ellen M Gem are in 1564 and that John Willcox is in 1364 although he is commemorated on the...

Thanks for your help leslam.The information is most useful and fills a few gaps.