More pieces of the WF Guiver story

I have noticed with interest the letters in recent issues of OBM concerning the motorcycle business of WF Guiver at Sutton. WF Guiver was my grandfather, and I hope the following notes may be of interest to OBM readers. I am grateful to my cousin Giles for the large amount of family history research that he has undertaken.

William F Guiver opened his first shop sometime before 1911, while still in his early 20s. This was situated in the Old Kent Road in London, where he operated as a bicycle dealer and motor engineer. In 1912 he moved to larger premises on the other side of the Old Kent Road. Here he traded as the Haven Motor Works, selling motorcycles and sidecars.

After the First World War, William Guiver moved with his family to Fleet in Hampshire. Here, he opened a new business, in partnership with his brother-in-law, called Broadway Motor and Cycle Depot, which sold, repaired and maintained bicycles, motorcycles and light cars.

However in 1929 William was on the move again, and acquired a shop at Rosehill Parade, Sutton, where he set up a motorcycle dealership and repair business under his own name. There was space behind and beneath the shop for repair facilities, and even a petrol pump!

William continued to run this business until he retired in the mid-1950s. I have no information on who took over the premises at Sutton, or the nature of the business undertaken, apart from the recent letters within these pages. However, the Guiver name remained over the shop in Sutton for many years.

Before and after the First World War, William participated in many long-distance motorcycle trials, and won several awards for his efforts. Later, he was joined in these events by his son, Frederick

(my father), who continued to compete in these events through the 1930s. These took Frederick across the UK, between Edinburgh, Cardiff and Land’s End, and he too was successful in gaining a number of awards.

After the war, Frederick

Guiver went to work for Comerfords, a large motorcycle dealer in Thames Ditton, Surrey. Here he developed and ran the spares and accessories department. Frederick left Comerfords in 1955, and moved with his family to Sussex, where he eventually was employed by Harold Lines, who had opened a motorcycle dealership in Horsham, and wished to expand with another branch in the new town centre at Crawley.

Here, Frederick again developed the spares and accessories department, which he ran until he passed away in 1976.

Six of William Guiver's grandchildren are still alive, of whom Martin keeps the tradition alive by being an avid classic motorcycle enthusiast. Peter Guiver West Sussex