Re: Gupwell Look ups please Hello Mr Gupwell - son of Peter Hugh Gupwell.
Hello! Sorry you did not add your name. I was an apprentice at A.J. Gupwell (Shopfitters) Ltd. from 1956, until 1960. Then I was given the chance to move into the offices, as an Estimating clerk. This was a greart privilege, as I was the first apprentice Carpenter and Joiner, to move from the factory, into the offices. I was given this chance for varuous reasons, one being that I was wekk known in Solihull, though my work in Youth Clubs, and as Chariman of the Solihull Youth Council. Mr. Percy, and his daughter and son-in-law Mr. Lees, lived in Knowle, so I was know to them through the local newspaper.
I left the firm in 1963, to become a Salvation Army Officer, and eventully moved to live in Switzerland, where I worked for the Salvation Army in various positions, for about ten years. I remained in Switzerland for 40 years total, and now live in Spain.
I worked very closely to your Grandfather Mr. Reg., and I met your Father a number of times when he came to the office. I am sorry to hear that he passed away, he was only 6 years younger than me.
Of course I had some contact, as an apprentice (fetching the newspapers for the directors, and the workers) and then as an Estimating clerk, with Mr. Percy, Mr. Clarrie, and one of his sons Richard (Richard took me to Bath, to look at a shop, by car as I could not drive then).
The company then was very diverse, with the Shopfitting part, one of the top firms in the country. There was also the department making showroom decorations and models and supplying fittings, with Mr. Steadman Hanks as manager. Peter Hanks, his son, was also working there as a traveller on the road.Then there was Gupwell Transport, leasing and maintaining the Cadbury fleet of lorries. - Mr. Clarrie was the manager of that part, at the time. Then there was SURFASTAL, making special metal grids, wihich were filled with some kind of bitumen, and used for ships decks. I do not remember who was the manager of that.
There are many people I remember from that time, but I guess it is not of interest at the moment. It is a pity that the firm went out of busines, from what I heard in some part due to the Gupwells being pushed into the background.
I should not forget Mr. John Gupwell, son of Percy. He was quite a character, and I had alwys some good conversations with him, as I was interested in old cars, and he had for a time a Bentley Roadster. We met at Silverstone once, with his Bentley.
If Mr. Richard is still living, and you could have contact with him, please give him my regards, and if he wishes I would be interested to have contact with him. Here is my e-mail address, or I can give phone numbers.
Last but not least I shall be in England from the 26 th. September, until the 10 th. of October - visiting my Sister and her family, and attending the 60 Years celebration of Lyndon School in Sheldon.
I would be happy to hear from you if you have time, and if you wish to have anymore information. The memory is still good.
Sincerely
Peter J.Williams
Its been a while I know but if you are still interested there are 2 Gupwells recorded as being killed during Birmingham Air Raids in 1940 ( One also called Emma - could be a descendant of the original Emma Gupwell? ). Just search the surname on the link. I work at a local school and it is something we put together at the school. Also available through Swanshurst School Website soon will be Brandwood End Cemetry - details are being uploaded everyday, but it is a slow process:
https://www.swanshurst.org/barra/default.asp
I am a Gupwell. Son of Peter Hugh Gupwell 1946-2000. Grandson of Reginald Gupwell. My Gran ( second wife of Reginald ) did tell me a story about how Reginalds father ( my great grandfather ) had an affair with a woman, and she had a baby. Apparently he refused to be involved with the child, but the Mother still named the child Gupwell - I have no way of verifying the validity of this story!!
AJ Gupwells was our family business, I think it went out of business in the 1980s. I think the haulage firm was the previous iteration of the family business. They used to supply all the Cadburys vans from what I recall being told.
Happy to try and answer any other questions you may have though im not sure I would be able to go as far back as you have....