OLD WEST BROMWICH PHOTOS

Hi all,

My gt, gt grandfather came to West Brom in the 1880's and most of the family were brought up here. They owned several properties on Hill Top.

Daniel Gibbons owned a grocers shop which then became Daniel Gibbons Provision Merchants in Hill Top/Harvills Hawthorn - I have followed them up to 1940 in the Kelly's Directory but the trail goes cold - If any has any info on this or any of the Gibbons's in West Bromwich it would be appreciated.

Cheers

In the late 50's early 60's I was at Hill Top school with Stuart Gibbons, his family owned the greengrocers shop in Hawkes Lane, they lived off Coles Lane behind the bottom playground..

This is where my memory gets a little hazy, did Stuart, or another family member die or get killed at some time??

I shall ask another Hill Top "pupil" Dave Snape if he remembers..(I can't remember what I did yesterday!!)

Talking of Hawkes Lane, Jack Stanton had the Barbers shop (hairdressers were for women in those days) and why did we have to have a singe with a burning Taper! ...Did it really stop you catching a cold!!

Thanks for the responce -

Stuart or Stewart was Daniel's gt grandson. His father Albert Stanley Howard Gibbons owned the business in Hawkes Lane. Stewart died in April 1966 in a motorcycle accident.

Please post any memories that Dave Snape may have.

Cheers

A little bit more on your family.

Stuart was indeed killed when riding his motorbike, it happened at what were once a set of traffic lights in Wednesbury at the cross roads near to what is now the bus station.. someone went across on red..

In the late 50s early 60s he went to art college in Lodge Road every Wednesday.

Before moving to Coles Lane they lived in Bratt Street.

About 1963 the family moved to Hall Green Road.

Stuart had a elder brother John, he would be in his late 60s now, so should still be around.

His father owned a number of houses in Bilhay Street Swan Village, that were rented out.

He also had a motor cycle shop in Bull Street near to Trows ice cream shop.

Oh, and he always liked mark 10 Jaguars!!

Thanks to Dave for this information... 

As Tesco say "every little helps"

Would that be the Stan Gibbons motorcycle shop , turn left at the top of bull st. He bought my 260 honda dream off me in 1962. ?

                                           J.E.M.

Hello JEM.

It sounds as though it was the same bloke..

Have only just found this site in my endeavours to find out about my ancestors and have come across this query re the Gibbons family Hill Top .  I  am not sure if this is the same Gibbons family as my ancestors.  I believe my great great grandfather lived in Talbot Cottage Black Lake approximately where Express & Star is now).  I also believe that the Gibbons Family who lived at Talbot Cottage owned a coal mine in the Hateley Heath area.

Could this be the same Gibbons family - I wonder!!!

Essa at June 21, 2010 at 5:28 PM

A little bit more on your family.

Stuart was indeed killed when riding his motorbike, it happened at what were once a set of traffic lights in Wednesbury at the cross roads near to what is now the bus station.. someone went across on red..

In the late 50s early 60s he went to art college in Lodge Road every Wednesday.

Before moving to Coles Lane they lived in Bratt Street.

About 1963 the family moved to Hall Green Road.

Stuart had a elder brother John, he would be in his late 60s now, so should still be around.

His father owned a number of houses in Bilhay Street Swan Village, that were rented out.

He also had a motor cycle shop in Bull Street near to Trows ice cream shop.

Oh, and he always liked mark 10 Jaguars!!

Thanks to Dave for this information... 

As Tesco say "every little helps"

I used to know a Gibbons from Bratt Street, Brett Gibbons,  he used to work with Paul Pester at the Sandwell Mail, his family lived there in the Seventies and probablyb early Eighties. He went to Churchfields School and his best mate was named Dev Allport.

He`s on Facebook as a friend of mine.

Saucy Love at September 1, 2010 at 4:39 PM

Have only just found this site in my endeavours to find out about my ancestors and have come across this query re the Gibbons family Hill Top .  I  am not sure if this is the same Gibbons family as my ancestors.  I believe my great great grandfather lived in Talbot Cottage Black Lake approximately where Express & Star is now).  I also believe that the Gibbons Family who lived at Talbot Cottage owned a coal mine in the Hateley Heath area.

 

Could this be the same Gibbons family - I wonder!!!

Hi,

Although the address doesn't ring a bell - There aren't too many Gibbons's in West Brom so it could be.

Can you let me know your gt, gt grandfathers christian name and then your gt grandfather.

Thanks

Chris Hill at September 2, 2010 at 4:15 AM

Essa at June 21, 2010 at 5:28 PM

A little bit more on your family.

Stuart was indeed killed when riding his motorbike, it happened at what were once a set of traffic lights in Wednesbury at the cross roads near to what is now the bus station.. someone went across on red..

In the late 50s early 60s he went to art college in Lodge Road every Wednesday.

Before moving to Coles Lane they lived in Bratt Street.

About 1963 the family moved to Hall Green Road.

Stuart had a elder brother John, he would be in his late 60s now, so should still be around.

His father owned a number of houses in Bilhay Street Swan Village, that were rented out.

He also had a motor cycle shop in Bull Street near to Trows ice cream shop.

Oh, and he always liked mark 10 Jaguars!!

Thanks to Dave for this information... 

As Tesco say "every little helps"

I used to know a Gibbons from Bratt Street, Brett Gibbons,  he used to work with Paul Pester at the Sandwell Mail, his family lived there in the Seventies and probablyb early Eighties. He went to Churchfields School and his best mate was named Dev Allport.

 

He`s on Facebook as a friend of mine.

Hi Chris,

Cheers for the post - Brett is part of this/my family, I think he works in Bridgnorth now.

I made contact with him a while ago and sent a few pics but after a couple of emails I never heard back from him.

Thanks all the same

Tom Gibbons

tom at September 2, 2010 at 3:40 PM

Chris Hill at September 2, 2010 at 4:15 AM

Essa at June 21, 2010 at 5:28 PM

A little bit more on your family.

Stuart was indeed killed when riding his motorbike, it happened at what were once a set of traffic lights in Wednesbury at the cross roads near to what is now the bus station.. someone went across on red..

In the late 50s early 60s he went to art college in Lodge Road every Wednesday.

Before moving to Coles Lane they lived in Bratt Street.

About 1963 the family moved to Hall Green Road.

Stuart had a elder brother John, he would be in his late 60s now, so should still be around.

His father owned a number of houses in Bilhay Street Swan Village, that were rented out.

He also had a motor cycle shop in Bull Street near to Trows ice cream shop.

Oh, and he always liked mark 10 Jaguars!!

Thanks to Dave for this information... 

As Tesco say "every little helps"

I used to know a Gibbons from Bratt Street, Brett Gibbons,  he used to work with Paul Pester at the Sandwell Mail, his family lived there in the Seventies and probablyb early Eighties. He went to Churchfields School and his best mate was named Dev Allport.

 

He`s on Facebook as a friend of mine.

 

Hi Chris,

 

Cheers for the post - Brett is part of this/my family, I think he works in Bridgnorth now.

 

I made contact with him a while ago and sent a few pics but after a couple of emails I never heard back from him.

 

Thanks all the same

Tom Gibbons

Hi Tom

My dad was John Samuel Woodall Gibbons born 1921, grandfather Samuel Gibbons (who I believe died at the age of approx 40) and great grandfather was also Samuel Gibbons.

I am Heather Love (maiden name Gibbons) and still live in West Bromwich.  My only real source of information is my mom's sister Irene Marsh (nee Bunce).  I have been told that Samuel Gibbons lived in Talbot Cottage off Black Lake near Hill Top and owned a coal mine in the local vacinity (not sure if this is Talbot Colliery - but could be).  I have also been told that we are somehow related to Hudson of the Hudson Soaps fame who's factory was located in West Bromwich town centre - later called Hudson Passage (where Halfords used to be).

Hey Tom, are we connected? Is this the same Gibbons family?

Good news - We are!!!!

Samuel's father is Thomas Gibbons - My  and yours gt, gt grandfather!!

I have made brief contact with brother is the US - Is that right??

I have pictures of both Samuels - email me @ tomgibbons79@hotmail.com

Cheers!

This is Brett`s Facebook profile

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=572500219

Thanks Chris - I appreciate your help but seeing as Brett didn't respond to my emails - I'll leave him alone!

Cheers

Tom, refering to your request for later information about Daniel Gibbons Provion Warehouse I spent many hours playing in the warehouse in the early 50's with my brother Stewart.

After Daniel Gibbons the company was run by my grandfather John Albert Gibbons along with his son, my uncle, Phil Gibbons and my great aunt Mable Gibbons.

I am not sure when the company closed but believe it was late 1950's.

Hope this gives you some more information for your search.

Hi John,

Thanks for your post and information.

I would be grateful if you could let me know your email or email me @ tomgibbons79@hotmail.com

I know a bit about your side of the family but have a few questions!!

I might be wrong but I think a Violet Farmer made contact with you many years ago as we have a picture of your wedding!!!

Cheers

Tom

Hi Tom,

Glad to be of help. You can email me at gibboslaptop@aol.com I would be pleased to answer any questions that I can.

As far a Violet Farmer goes it does not ring a bell with me but she may have been in touch with my wife, Christine, who has done a lot more research than I into the Gibbons line.

Chears

John

I only came upon this site by chance while researching Hilltop.

Chris Hill at September 2, 2010 at 4:15 AM

Essa at June 21, 2010 at 5:28 PM

A little bit more on your family.

Stuart was indeed killed when riding his motorbike, it happened at what were once a set of traffic lights in Wednesbury at the cross roads near to what is now the bus station.. someone went across on red..

In the late 50s early 60s he went to art college in Lodge Road every Wednesday.

Before moving to Coles Lane they lived in Bratt Street.

About 1963 the family moved to Hall Green Road.

Stuart had a elder brother John, he would be in his late 60s now, so should still be around.

His father owned a number of houses in Bilhay Street Swan Village, that were rented out.

He also had a motor cycle shop in Bull Street near to Trows ice cream shop.

Oh, and he always liked mark 10 Jaguars!!

Thanks to Dave for this information... 

As Tesco say "every little helps"

I used to know a Gibbons from Bratt Street, Brett Gibbons,  he used to work with Paul Pester at the Sandwell Mail, his family lived there in the Seventies and probablyb early Eighties. He went to Churchfields School and his best mate was named Dev Allport.

 

He`s on Facebook as a friend of mine.

Nothing to do with Gibbons but what happened to Paul Pester ? He took the photos at my (1st) wedding in 1979. I´ve only had 2 mind you.