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Frank Knight Woodroffe

  • Thread starter Thread starter Humph3
  • Start date Start date
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Humph3

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Hi to all,

I have tried to gather some information on the web on Frank Knight Woodroffe and have come up with virtually nothing except a patent he took out on a vacuun cleaner in 1919 which I found a few months ago but nothing since. The reason I ask is, I have an indenture which my grandfather signed in 1891 when he started an apprenticeship at the company and I would like to know more about them, what they manufactured and where they were located.

I have attached a copy of the indenture for you to see. It is printed onto parchment and still in excellent ccondition.

Thanks in anticipation

Humph
 
Frank Woodroffe doesn’t appear in the 1872 & 1880 directories in Rugeley , though there is a David Woodroffe, linen draper, 7 Lower Brook St,Rugeley, and a David Woodroffe who lived at Chase View. There are a number of other Woodroffe drapers around Stoke and at Burton then, but .they have all gone by 1904. No mention of Frank in 1924.
He appears in the 1901 census at 26 Talbot St , Rugeley, as a 36 year old mechanical engineer .
In 1891, close to the apprenticeship, he was an agricultural engineer living at Herons court, Herons West St (now apparently called Heron St, and Herons court is home of a recording studio and snooker hall))
In 1881 he is receiving instruction as an engineer, presumably in his fathers Agricultural engineering firm , and living with his father David Woodroffe ay Chase View, Hagley Road, Rugeley. Maybe his father also had a linen drapery firm . The coincidence of names is quite large if not.
Mike
 
Hi Mike,

Thanks for your quick reply. I thought when I first found the indenture that Frank Woodroofe rang a bell in my brain as being a firm in Birmingham and not in Rugeley. I don't know why. From what I have been told, my grandfather travelled to Birmingham from Rugelely on his bicycle to work and whether or not it was to Woodroffe's or not, I don't know. Also, his travels to Birmingham may not coincide with the years he spent as an apprentice, but after he had finished it and came to Birmingham to find work. I have attached the patent which gives Frank Knight's address in London, but that might be his patent agents business address. Otherwise I have found no mention of this company anywhere else.

Thanks for your imput.

regards
Humph
 
Can't seem to see a Frank Woodroffe in birmingham directories. There was a William woodroffe, gun engraver, and a Joseph, manufacturing jeweller.
Mike
 
Hi,

Could this be the man you are looking for? Taken from the London Gazette online.

2nd Volunteer Battalion,1 the Prince of Wales's
(North Staffordshire Regiment], Frank Knight
Woodroffe, Gent., to be Second Lieutenant
(Supernumerary). Dated 4th May, 1887

Being a Brum the only Woodroffe I can remember was the musical instrument shop on Broad Street next to the BBC!! Many years ago.

Smiler
 
Hi.
Smiler,

It could very well be, him being a Staffordshire man. I haven't any genealogy on the family to check. I was really after knowing whether he had a manufactoring base in Birmingham or Rugeley and if there were any photographs of it, so I could put a place with the apprentice indenture I have.

Thanks for your imput, it is appreciated.

regards
Humph
 
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