H.S. Abbott
Herbert Stanley Abbott was driving one of the Lewis
mail vans when, at 4 a.m. on 3rd January 1908 (just 52 hours into the mail contract),
he collided with the rear of an unlit dray on Glen Osmond Road. |
F. Ackland
Fred Ackland was a mechanic with Lewis from 1908 until 1911. When Lewis won a contract to clear mail from pillar boxes, Fred
was put in charge of the night shift, after being sworn in by the Superintendent of Mails.
When he left Lewis, he joined Motors Limited. |
E.R. Anderson
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
C. Aunger
Murray Aunger's younger brother Cyril worked at Lewis for a period up until about 1909. In
1907, when his signature appears as a witness on documents establishing Vivian Lewis
Limited, he gave his occupation as "warehouse assistant". |
H.H.M. Aunger
Horace Hooper Murray Aunger (known as Murray) was a champion cyclist and a pioneer
motorist. He was working with Lewis in 1900 when the first Lewis car was commissioned, and
left in 1909 to establish his own motor business. A brief biography can be found here. |
H.H. Austin
was auditor for Vivian Lewis Ltd in at least 1915 and 1916. |
Master Barret
participated in the "Boys under 15" race at the employees' picnic in November
1910 - quite young lads were employed at the time, but it is also possible he was the son
of an employee. |
Mr Beasley
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Beaumont
attended the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November 1910, and again in
October 1912 when he was involved on the orgaising committee. |
A.M. Beck
worked at Lewis over the period 1902 - 1922. He acted as a driver in the early days, and
from correspondence it would seem that
he had engineering expertise. He participated in the Lewis sports day in November 1909,
played cricket for the "married men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912,
and appears in the 1919 staff photograph. He resigned his position as a car salesman with
Vivian Lewis Limited in August 1922, to take up a similar position with the Phoenix Motor
Company, Limited. |
H. Beck
said to be of Vivian Lewis Limited is pictured in a Napier on top of Mt Gambier in October
1909. |
J.W.K. Beddome
John Winter Kingham Beddome was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1930 -
1933. |
Mr Bennett
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
N.K. Birks
Napier Birks was elected Chairman of Directors of Vivian Lewis Limited in May 1923. He had
founded Motors, Limited in 1911, and seen it grow to a most successful business. He was
also chairman of directors at Charles Birks & Co., the well-known drapers on Rundle
Street Adelaide. Birks presided over the transition from the old Lewis company to the new
entity owned by Fred Mann and Mann's Motor Limited, and completed this task in less than
10 months. He had left the company by March 1924. |
Mr Blair
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
Mrs Boardman
participated in "Cotton Winding" at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in
November 1908. She may have been an employee, or perhaps the wife of an employee. |
Miss Bowman
participated in "Cotton Winding" at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in
November 1909. She may have been an employee, or perhaps the daughter of an employee. |
Mr Braidwood
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Mr Brittain
participated in events at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
W. Brooker
was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1921. |
Mr Brown
played cricket for the "married men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. A
Mr. Brown was one of three Vivian Lewis Limited employees to lose his life in the Great
War. |
H. Buik
In 1897 Mr Buik was part of the three-member team that rode the "new" Lewis
cycle triplet, pacing cyclists at the Jubilee Oval in Adelaide. |
Miss Cahill
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
E. Campbell
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
A.B. Carnell
successfully raced Lewis motorcycles around 1913 - 1918, and is believed to have worked at
Lewis during this period. |
E. Carrell
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
W.T. Carter
was working with Lewis in 1900. A Mr and Mrs Carter participated in events at the
Vivian Lewis employees picnic in November 1908, presumably W.T.C. and his wife - he
certainly particpated at the same event in November 1909 when he teamed with Bill Courtney
to win the wheelbarrow race! Unpaced in the wheelbarrow race in 1910, he won the hurdles.
A Mr Carter starred for the Lewis football team in a game against Eyes and Crowle in
August 1910. |
Mr Carthner
attended the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November 1910, where he
offered a toast to "the visitors". |
J. Carruthers
Jack Carruthers was working with Lewis at the time the album photographs were taken -
c1904-5. He appears in photographs 10 and 17. |
J.H. Cazneau
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
A. Chambers
Alf Chambers was working with Lewis in 1900. A Mrs Chambers participated in the
"Cotton Winding" race at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in November 1908, and
in the "Married Ladies" race in 1910 - if this was Alf's wife, he may have still
been an employee at this time. Mr Chambers (presumably Alf, but see entry for George
Chambers below) was on the organising committee for the October 1912 employees' picnic,
and spoke at Vivian Lewis' farewell in May 1913, suggesting he might be one of the very
long-standing members of the firm. |
G. Chambers
represented Vivian Lewis Limited at a meeeting of the League of South Australian Wheelmen
in August 1917. Mr Geo. Chambers, "manager of the cycle department", attracted
special mention at a 25th anniversary social in October 1917, suggesting he was one of the
founding members of the firm. I now suspect that Alf Chambers and Geo. Chambers are one in
the same person. |
H. Chigwidden
represented Vivian Lewis Limited at a meeeting of the League of South Australian Wheelmen
in August 1917. |
G. Church
When Mr. Church retired from the Lewis Cycle and Motor Works in November 1903, he was said
to have been "connected to the firm for a number of years". At his
farewell, works manager Tom O'Grady, on behalf of those engaged by the firm, presented him
with a hall lamp. |
G.G. Colebatch
George Gardiner Colebatch became company secretary after Berry Smith's tragic death in
1910. He held the post until 1914. A Mr Colebatch played cricket for the "single
men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912 - presumably a son as Mr Colebatch was
also on the "married men" team! |
Mr Cook
participated in events at the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November
1910 - possibly H.Cooke below? |
H. Cooke
finished second in the bicycle race at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
Mr Coombe
starred for the Lewis football team in a game against Eyes and Crowle in August 1910, and
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912
(likely Coombs below). |
Mr Coombs
attended the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November 1910 (likely Coombe
above). |
W. Courtney
William Courtney was, like many Lewis employees, a cyclist in the 1890s. In May 1898
accompanied French racing cycliste
Mlle Serpolette when she gave a display of cycling at the Jubilee Oval. It is not
known whether he was working for Lewis at this time, but he was with Lewis in
November 1900 when the first Lewis car was commissioned, and by 1921 had risen to be
manager of the Motorcycle Department. He was a keen motorcyclist and often accompanied
Lewis and O'Grady on runs. At the employees' picnic in 1912, he won the "Old
Buffers" event! He appears in the 1919 staff photograph. |
J. Crago
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912,
and is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Craker
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
S.J. Crannaford
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. S.J.C. was likely Sydney John
Crannaford, born in 1884 in Thebarton. At some point the family moved to Broken Hill,
where he remained until at least 1916. It is said that he left Broken Hill with his wife
and child in a motor cycle and side car to return to Adelaide where (it seems form the
photo) he was employed with Lewis. It is not know if he was involved with the Broken Hill
branch of Lewis. He opened a cycle shop in King William Street, Adelaide (near the present
day Trims) and later bought a property in Halifax Street Adelaide where the family
operated a cycle shop until the 1980s. |
Mr Critchley
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
H.B. Crosby
Henry Burgess Crosby, M.P. was the managing director of Vivian Lewis Limited from 1913,
through until at least the time of Vivian Lewis' death in 1919, and likely into 1922.
During this time, he held a one third share of the company. |
F.C. Custance
Frederick Cyril Custance participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees
picnics in November 1908 and November 1909. In March 1909 while still with the firm
he accompanied G.G. White in his 35 h.p. Talbot (presumably bought from Lewis) on a
Melbourne-Adelaide record attempt. Their time of 20 hours and 6 minutes broke Bertie Barr
Smith's previous record (set in his 60 h.p. Napier) by 2 hours and 18 minutes. The pair
also set Melbourne-Sydney records. Fred Custance was (arguably) the first man to fly an
aircraft in South Australia when, at least by reports, he stayed aloft in a Bleriot for 5
minutes and 25 seconds in March 1910. Only a week or so later he was back in the 35 h.p.
Talbot with G.G. White to reclaim the Sydney-Melbourne record. In November 1912 he set
Australasian and South Australian 12 and 24 hour records by covering 532 miles in 24
hours' continuous riding on his 3 1/2 h.p. Lewis motorcycle. He had a period as manager of
the Burra branch of Vivian Lewis Limited. |
Master Daniels
participated in the "Boys under 15" race at the employees' picnic in November
1910 - quite young lads were employed at the time, but it is also possible he was the son
of an employee. |
Miss Davis
participated in "Cotton Winding" at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in
November 1908. She may have been an employee, or perhaps the daugther of an employee. |
Mr Dawson
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
Mr Day
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. The hand-written caption seems to
say "Ha Day" - possibly Harold Day? |
R.B. Day
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
G. Dippe
Gus Dippe (or perhaps more correctly Gus von der Dippe) was involved with Lewis from the
early days. In 1897 he was part of the three-member team that rode the
"old" Lewis cycle triplet, pacing cyclists at the Jubilee Oval in Adelaide. He
was the Secretary of the Adelaide Bicycle Club in 1904, and organised a cycling tour of
the Fleurieu Peninsula for the club in December that year. His organisation was praised,
as was the "valuable yet judicious use he made of his Lewis motor (car, presumably)
in assisting his club fellows". Gus was obviously a trusted driver for Lewis. In
January 1905 he was charge of a party of three Lewis hire cars that went to the Clare
Races, and drove one of the cars. In February conducted a party to Mannum and return, and
in May the same year he drove one of Vivian Lewis's De Dions in the Automobile Club
reliability trial, with Walter Torode on board as an observer for the final stage. |
J. Dover
In 1897 Mr Dover was part of the three-member team that rode the "old" Lewis
cycle triplet, pacing cyclists at the Jubilee Oval in Adelaide. |
T. Durnell
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
D.M. Evans
was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1934 - 1935, the final two years of
its existance. |
L.V. Evans
Llewellyn Victor Evans was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1928 - 1929. |
S. Evans
Sidney (or Sydney) Evans was the manager of the Kadina
Branch in the early 1920s. Tragically he took his own life in April 1921 - he was said
to have been "depressed on account of business slackness" |
Mr. Everton
spoke on behalf of the Broken Hill employees at Vivian Lewis' farewell in May 1913. |
W.J. Farmer
was was working at the Lewis Cycle Works in July 1898, after which he left to take up a
position with the Dunlop Tyre Co. He was said to be a "prominent member of the
League" (assume league of South Australian Wheelmen). Since he new position involved
relocating to Sydney, he may have held quite a senior position at Lewis. |
W. Faulkner
Wilf Faulkner was apprenticed to the Clare Branch
in 1921. When the business closed in 1923 he moved to another Clare firm, Stanley Motor
Works. Wilf went on to found Eclipse Motors in Ballarat, Victoria. |
Miss Ferguson
participated at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
Mr Field
In 1897 Mr Field was part of the three-member team that rode the "new" Lewis
cycle triplet, pacing cyclists at the Jubilee Oval in Adelaide. |
Mr Finke
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
D. Fraser
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Miss Gardiner
participated in the "Single Ladies" race at the employees' picnic in November
1910 - she was likely an employee, or the daughter of an employee. |
W. Gibson
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
A.E. Gilbert
was the proprietor of the Ariel Cycle and Motor Works, Murray Street, Gawler. Gilbert was
the agent for Vivian Lewis Limited in Gawler c1910 and advertised extensively in the
local paper, The Bunyip. |
Mr Gilbert
(almost certainly G.H. Gilbert) was associated with the Lewis branch at Mt Gambier in the
period around 1908 - 1911. In September 1911 he made the first successful climb of Mt
Gambier on a motorcycle, riding a 3 1/2 h.p. single-gear Lewis. |
F. Goode
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. Mr Goode - presumably the same man -
was on the orgaising committee for the 1912 employees' picnic. |
F. Gorton
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
F. Gray
Frank Gray was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1922 - 1923. |
F. Grenville
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
W.H. Harris
Walter Hope Harris was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited from 1915 to 1920,
and in 1924 he was the founding company secretary for Lewis Cycle
Works Limited. He appears in the 1919 staff photograph. |
A. Hartley
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Miss Harvey
won the "young ladies" event at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in October
1912. |
Mrs Hay
was at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. Presumably she was either an
employee, or the wife of an employee. |
H. Hayward
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Hazell
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Hendry
participated at the employees' picnic in November 1910, and played cricket for the
"single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912.. |
Mr Hermann
was working with Lewis in 1900. |
Mr Heylen
participated at the employees' picnic in November 1910. |
Mr Hill
was working with Lewis in 1900. Photograph 13
from the album (c 1904) is annotated "George Hill", possibly the same man. Mr
Hill teamed with Mr Job to come second in the wheelbarrow race at the November 1909 picnic
sports, and participated again in 1910 and October 1912. Mrs Hill won the "married
ladies" event in 1912. |
G. Hogham
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
H. Hollands
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Miss Holt
was at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in November 1909 - perhaps an employee or the
daughter of an employee. |
E. Holton
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
R. Honeybone
was presented with a dinner service on the occasion of his marriage in June 1910 - thus
perhaps a long-term emloyee? In August 1910, he starred for the Lewis football team in a
game against rival motor firm Eyes and Crowle. |
Mr Horton
attended the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November 1910. |
E. Howie
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Hudson
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Mrs Hunter
attended the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November 1910 - she may have
been an employee, or the wife of an employee. |
G. Inglis
An undated reference has Gordon Inglis working as a salesman for Vivian Lewis Limited of
Gawler Place, selling Renault and Oldsmobile cars. Lewis had agencies for both makes in 1920 and 1921. |
Mr Jackson
played cricket for the "married men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Mr Jacobs
was "a traveller for the Lewis Motor Cycle Company" when in December 1910 he had
a nasty accident. "A cow crossed his track, and he shouted to make it move on, but
instead of doing so the animal turned round, and Mr.Jacobs ran into its hind-quarters. He
was thrown to the ground, and was picked up in a semi-conscious state and taken to Nurse
Robertson's Private Hospital, where he still lies in the same condition." Since the
accident report had a dateline "December 23, Terrowie", it is likely possible
that he was based at one of the country agencies. |
Mr James
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees' picnic in October 1912, and a
Mrs James, presumably his wife, was at the November 1908 and November 1909 events. It is
not known if there is any link with W.H. James below, but it seems unlikely. |
W.H. James
Mr James was a director of Vivian Lewis Limited, and probably the Chairman of directors,
in 1922 when company documents described him as "Estate Agent, Malvern".
He retired from this position in May 1923, sold his interest in the firm, and was
succeeded by Napier Birks. |
R. Jewell
Roy Jewell began his working life in 1918 at Vivian Lewis Ltd - most likely at the bicycle
business at 111 Gawler Place. He left after about a year to begin an appreniceship with
David Garvie making film projectors, and stayed in that field for the rest of his working
life. |
Mr Job
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908
and November 1909. |
Mr Johns
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
Mr Jolly
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Kappler
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
Mr King
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Miss Knight
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
B. Knight
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. A Mr Knight played cricket for the
"married men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
M.L.
was typing letters at Lewis in 1917. (Likely Miss M. Langloise listed below.) |
Miss M. Langloise
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. (Likely M.L. listed above.) Miss M
Langoise won the "Single Ladies' Race" at the employees' sports picnic in
November 1909, and participated in the "young ladies" event in October 1912. |
Miss Lankenan
participated in the "Single Ladies" race at the employees' picnic in November
1910 - she was likely an employee, or the daughter of an employee. |
A. Larry
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Lawrie
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
S.C. Leaver
was working at the Motor House in Victoria Square in 1909. His name appears on a receipt
made out to Bertie Barr Smith, so it is likely he had a position of some responsibility.
He participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnics in November 1908,
1909 and 1910. |
F. Le Lue
was one of three Vivian Lewis Limited employees to lose his life in the Great War. |
A.R. Lewis
Archibald Rowden Lewis was one of Vivian Lewis's younger brothers. He was a joint
signatory on some of the documents that established Vivian Lewis Limited in 1907, and he
was a shareholder. His role in the business is not clear, but he was "a
salesman" at the Lewis Cycle Works in April 1901. |
A.S. Lewis
Arthur Sangster Lewis was one of Vivian Lewis's sons. A mining engineer who spent a
considerable period in Broken Hill, he is unlikely to have been involved with Vivian Lewis
Limited. He was associated with Lewis Cycle Works Limited in
the 1960s and 1970s. |
C.W. Lewis
Cyril William Lewis was one of Vivian Lewis's sons. Returning to England in 1919 after
service in the AIF, he was granted leave to work with F.E. Baker Limited in Birmingham as
a motor mechanic. Baker had supplied Lewis with Precision motors since 1911, and would
supply Lewis Cycle Works Limited, which Cyril was to form in 1924 with his brother Vivian,
with Beardmore Precision motorcycles and Beardmore cars until the mid 1920s. It is not
known whether he was involved with Vivian Lewis Limited in the early 1920s, but he was a
major contributor to Lewis Cycle Works Limited. |
P. Lewis
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. Since
he came second in the high jump, it seems inconceivable that this was Percy T. Lewis
(below)! It may have been Vivian's son (Rupert) Percy, or another employee P. Lewis. |
P.T. Lewis
Percival Tyndal Lewis, one of Vivian Lewis's younger brothers, joined the Ormode Bicycle
Depot business at or near its inception in 1893. He was the manager of the Broken Hill
branch of Lewis for about 12 years - probably from its establishment in 1897 until he
moved down to Adelaide in March 1908. He was a Director of Vivian Lewis Limited from its
formation in 1907 - at which time he was still "Branch Manager, Broken Hill" -
through until the Mann's takeover in 1924. Since one third of the ordinary directors were
required to retire each year (re-election was allowed), his tenure may not have been
continuous, but most likely was. He was certainly a director in 1907, 1909, 1911, 1913,
1917, 1920 and 1921, and was acting managing director in Crosby's absence in 1919. At the
annual employees' picnic in October 1912, Percy responded on behalf of the firm -
presumably in Vivian's absence. Percy Lewis appears in the 1919 staff photograph. It is
likely that Percy Lewis was the only person to be with the Lewis operations from their
inception in 1893 until the breakup of 1924. |
S.H. Lewis
Stanley Heathcote Lewis was one of Vivian Lewis's sons. It is unlikely that he was much
involved in Vivian Lewis Limited, but he did have links to Lewis
Cycle Works Limited. |
T. Lewis
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. He is likely unrelated to the Lewis
family. |
V.L. Lewis
Vivian Louis Lewis (or Louis Vivian Lewis, according to some sources - no
matter as he rarely if ever used his second christian name) was the driving force behind
the Lewis businesses from foundation of the Ormonde Bicycle Depot in 1893 until he was
forced to relinquish the managing director role at Vivian Lewis Limited in 1913 due to
failing health. He died in 1919. |
V.J. Lewis
Vivian James Lewis was Vivian Lewis's eldest son, and was working for Vivian Lewis Limited
c1919 on his return from war service. In around 1923, he and his brother Cyril took over
the running of the Lewis Cycle Works (in Adelaide, Port Pirie, Port Adelaide and Broken
Hill), and in 1924 formed Lewis Cycle Works Limited, which
existed selling bicycles and wheelchairs until 1975. From 1928, he was involved with Lewis
Parking Station Limited, which operated from the northern portion of the old Vivian Lewis
Limited works on Gawler Place South. He appears in the 1919 staff photograph. |
C. Lindsay
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Miss Lloyd
participated in the "young ladies" event at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in
October 1912. |
Mr Lock
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees' picnic, November 1908. Mrs
Lock participated at the 1909 event so presumably Mr Lock was still with the company then.
He played for the "married men" in a cricket match at the picnic in October
1912, where his wife also participated. |
Miss Lommond
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. (Possibly M.L. listed above?) |
Mr Mail (?)
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. Handwriting on the caption
indistinct. |
Mr Malpas
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr McKay
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
E. McKinna
was Sales Manager with Vivian Lewis Limited in March 1924. |
W.T. McKnight
succeeded T.P. O'Grady as factory manager in May 1910. McKnight came from Western
Australia where he had been "...in charge of one of the largest motor concerns in the
west". He spoke on behalf of the firm at the employees' picnic in November 1910, and
played cricket for the "married men" in October 1912. |
Mr Malrard
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
W. Martin
Wally Martin was working with Lewis in 1900 when the first Lewis car was commissioned, and
by 1921 had risen to be head painter in the Motor Body Department. He appears in the 1919
staff photograph. Mrs Martin was third in the "egg and spoon" race at the Vivian
Lewis employees picnic in November 1908 and second in the "cotton winding" in
November 1910! A Mr Martin spoke on behalf of the Broken Hill employees at Vivian Lewis'
farewell in May 1913, but this may have been a different man. |
F. Menkens
signed a receipt for payment of a large account in October 1908, and participated in
sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic in November the same year. |
C.H. Miller
was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1924 - 1925. |
F. Mitchell
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
A. E. Morey
worked with Lewis as an assistant in the Motor Cycle Department for 12 to 14 months in
1912-13, when he left "of his own accord" according a surviving letter of reference. |
R. Morton
Robert Morton turns up in the strangest places in the Lewis story! We first encounter him
- perhaps by chance - in Perth when Mlle Serpolette is there in 1898, then again he is
present when Serpolette gives her exhibition in
Adelaide. In 1906, described as "a manager for the Lewis Cycle and Motor Works in
Adelaide", he spent a few days in Mt. Gambier generating business. During this year
he was in charge of the firm for 5 months while Vivian Lewis was in England and Europe.
From 1907 until he left for Melbourne in 1909 he seems to have worked with Vivian Lewis
Ltd in Adelaide as an accountant and manager. His signature appears on the certificate of
incorporation for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1907. |
M. M. Mullins
Merrington Mullins had two stints working at Lewis, the first around 1897 - 1901, then
again for a few years beginning in 1917 when he had the role of factory manager. He went
on to establish a most successful and durable business, Mullins Wheels. He appears in the
1919 staff photograph. |
M.P. Murphy
M.P. "Motor" Murphy was the manager of the Lewis depot in Edithburgh in 1910. In
November 1908, at the Vivian Lewis motor picnic at Belair, he responded to a speech by Mr
Lewis on behalf of the employees. At the same event in 1909, he proposed a toast to the
visitors. We can infer that he had some standing within the company. In his book From
Horse to Horsepower, S.A. Cheney writes of an encounter with Murphy: "One day
when crossing the Gulf between Adelaide and Yorke Peninsula in the smelly little steamer Juno
a rival motor-car salesman, Mick Murphy, of Vivian Lewis Ltd, entertained the passengers
with card tricks. His legerdemain was good. He was making a name for himself that would
assure his entrée almost anywhere with country people, and so lead to car sales."
Recognising a cunning sales technique when he saw one, Cheney went on to teach himself
card tricks! |
Mr Newman
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1908. |
Mr Nicholls
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
C. Norman
In February 1917, Carl Norman was a motor car driver for Vivian Lewis Limited. He also
appears in a staff photograph, c1919. |
T.P. O'Grady
Thomas Patrick O'Grady was right-hand-man to Vivian Lewis from the beginnings of
the business in 1892. When Vivian Lewis Limited was established in 1907, he was one of the
three directors of the company. In 1910 he relinquished the role of factory manager to
travel abroad, but on his return he resumed his position as a director of the company. He
died in 1916. |
J.H. Oliver
was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1927. |
Master Oswald
participated in the boys' race at the employees' picnic in October 1912 - presumably the
son of an employee. |
E. O'Toole
was the company secretary for Vivian Lewis Limited in 1926. |
G.P.
was typing letters at Lewis in 1913. (Possibly Miss Paris listed below?) |
H.W. Padfield
Mr Padfield played cricket for the "married men" at the employees' picnic in
October 1912, where he also responded to a toast and acted as starter for the sports
events. |
Miss Paris
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. (Possibly G.P. listed above?) |
D. Parsons
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
R Part
participated in the novelty race at the Vivian Lewis employees' picnic, November 1909. |
Mr Pawson
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
W.H. Pearce
Mr Pearce proposed a toast to "the ladies" at the Vivian Lewis employees' picnic
in October 1912. H. Pearce - possibly the same man - spoke on behalf of the employees at
Broken Hill at Vivian Lewis' farewell in May 1913. |
Mr Polglase
attended the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in November 1910 |
Mr Poyser
participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees picnics in November 1908, 1909
and 1910. Quite the sportsman! |
A.G. Pritchard
was working at Lewis c1906. He later travelled to England, where he participated in hill
climbs in a Talbot car. In the 1920s he represented Berliet in Adelaide. |
J.G. Ramsey
George Ramsey broke the World 24 Hour Record on a Lewis motorcycle in December 1913. At
the ensuing celebration, Alf Sampson reminisced that George had been "a boy in his
employment" when he was resident in Kadina (presumably when Alf was manager of the
Lewis branch 1906 -1910). |
Master Reid
participated in the "Boys under 15" race at the employees' picnic in November
1910 - quite young lads were employed at the time, but it is also possible he was the son
of an employee. |
H.R. Richards
Harold Raymond Richards worked with Vivian Lewis Limited as a car salesman. In September
1926 he met with an accident while a passenger in a vehicle with prospective customers,
and was killed. In April 1927 his family was awarded £600 compensation. |
G. Rictor
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
F. Rogers
drove one of three Lewis hire cars to the Clare Races in January 1905. |
F. Ross
Frederick Ross, emloyee of Vivian Lewis Limited and driver of one of the Lewis mail vans, had his day in court in April
1908 for driving without a license. The charge was not proven and dismissed as
"trifling". |
E.W.T. Rowe
Ted Rowe was the manager of the Kadina
Branch in 1913 (at which time it was likely operating independently from Vivian Lewis
Limited, so he may not have been a Lewis employee?). |
C. Rumball
won the bicycle race at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
Mr Rundle
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
A.E. Sampson
On Adelaide Cup Day in May 1904, Alf Sampson, described as "the well-known
racing cyclist", joined with Tom O'Grady to bring race results from Morphetville
Racecourse to the city offices of The Evening Journal on Lewis motor cycles. He
was the manager of the Kadina Branch from
1906 through to February 1910 when he became the Lewis "country inspector". He
was still with Lewis in Adelaide in December 1913, when he was described as a
"manager". |
C.O. Scott
was the manager of the Clare Branch in 1914. |
C. Searce
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
D.W. Simpson
was appointed manager at the Kadina Branch
when Lewis re-purchased it in 1915. |
Mr Slack
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
B. Smith
Berry Smith was an accountant, and the company secretary of Vivian Lewis Limited from its
beginnings in May 1907. He was tragically knocked down and killed by a tram in August
1910. Berry presented Tom O'Grady with a travelling rug from the employees at his farewell
in March 1910. A Mr Smith participated in sports events at the Vivian Lewis employees
picnics, November 1908 and 1909, but while it may have been Berry, it could also have been
J. Smith below. |
J. Smith
was the leader of one of the Tug-of-War teams at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic,
November 1909. He also participated in November 1910, and likely in 1908 (see B. Smith
above). A Mrs Smith participated in picnic events in 1909, 1910 and 1912. A Mr Smith
played cricket for the "married men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Master or Mistress Steinberg
participated in an "Under 10" event at the employees' picnic in November 1910 -
let's assume a child of an employee. In fact Mr. Steinberg spoke at the farewell to Vivian
Lewis in May 1913, so he may well have been an employee of some standing. |
Mr Stiller
played cricket for the "married men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Mr Stuart
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
J. Summers
In 1897 Jack Summers was part of the three-member team that rode the "new" Lewis
cycle triplet, pacing cyclists at the Jubilee Oval in Adelaide. Jack was also prominent at
a meeting at the same venue in May 1898 when he pushed Mlle Seroplette's recalcitrant motor tricycle
"with an energy worthy of a better cause" in "his earnest endeavors to get
the thing to gee". |
W. Swan
was working with Lewis in 1900. |
F. Swift
participated in the bicycle race at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
A. Taylor
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
A. Thompson
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
W.E. Tilbrook
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
Mr Tooze
participated in the novelty race at the Vivian Lewis employees picnic, November 1909. |
C. Tuck
Clifford Tuck was a motor trimmer at Vivian Lewis Limited. He was killed in action, age
20, in 1917. |
Mr Venus
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
N.W.
was typing letters at Lewis in 1921. |
J. Walters
In 1897 Mr Walters was part of the three-member team that rode the "old" Lewis
cycle triplet, pacing cyclists at the Jubilee Oval in Adelaide. |
Mr Washington
teamed with Cook to win the wheelbarrow race at the third Vivian Lewis Limited employees'
picnic in November 1910. |
M. Welsch
Mark Welsch was working with Lewis in 1900. He later opened his own motor garage in Dunn
St Semaphore. |
C. West
drove one of three Lewis hire cars to the Clare Races in January 1905. |
E. Whitney
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. Handwriting on the caption
indistinct. |
Mr Wilson (?)
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. Handwriting on the caption
indistinct. |
W.J. Winterbottom
Wentwoth Winterbottom was working at the Lewis Cycle and Motor Works as an engine fitter
in 1905 (when his wife died suddenly, age 23). |
Mr Wood
played cricket for the "single men" at the employees' picnic in October 1912. |
Mr Woods
is in a Vivian Lewis Limited staff photograph, c1919. |
C. Woodward
Cyril Woodward was working at Lewis in Kadina c1909 when, as a lad of 13, his tasks
included driving cars in and out of the garage and parking them on the road, for which he
was granted a special license. |
J.J. Work
Mr Work finished second behind Bill Courtney in the "Old Buffers" event at the
Vivian Lewis Limited employees' picnic in October 1912. He acted as a judge at the event. |