Unsolvable mystery
This photograph is of a framed picture on display in my local pub, The Ragleth Inn, Little Stretton, Shropshire. Clearly from the photo the little motorcycle was an important acquisition judging by the rather formal attire of the individuals. Can you identify the motorcycle, please?
Our thanks to the Ragleth Inn for facilitating Les gaining a much second larger file image of their photo for our publication during the current Covid 19 situation. Like many small businesses, they'll have been hard hit by the necessary lockdown and we at TCM wish them well for when they reopen.
As for the motorcycle ... Suggestions have included Levis and OK. As the machine with direct drive and Druid side-sprung front fork dates from cl 919-1922, Levis seems unlikely to me as their engines (211 cc, 247cc and earlier 2½hp and 2 ¾hp) were physically tiny and the engine in the subject machine looks externally larger. Certainly, it's a two-stroke unit, which, by barrel shape and flywheel, isn't a Villiers Mk.I to early Mk.IV but looks very like a 292cc Union engine, possibly a c1922 349cc Union, or maybe something rare, such as a Dalm.
The problem with identifying such machines is they were built predominantly from proprietary components, thus frames were made from lugs or frame kits supplied by the likes of Sun Cycle and Fittings or Sparkbrook (or made entirely by them) and almost everything else, including the Druid front fork, Greens style tank, mudguards, wheels (complete or in parts), saddle and all detail parts were bought in, and they will be bought from the same components makers/factors as their rivals sourced from. Thus there are many similarities between marques and, while, it is easy to recognise a BSA engine or Triumph tank, for example, with such 'kit' built machines, we need help, such as the legend on the tank.
Union two-stroke engines were made by Josiah Parkes & Sons Ltd., Union Works, Willenhall, Staffs, and fitted by a number of motorcycle makers, including
OK, Coulson, De-Luxe, Sirrah (Harris backwards) and Verus - both by Alfred Wiseman and Co. - Edmund, Connaught and probably a few others. Of these, I would plump for Coulson (initially London and then bought by Arthur Wall, brotherin-law to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who moved production to Birmingham), DeLuxe of Birmingham, Edmund of Chester and Connaught made by the Bordesley Engineering Co Ltd, Birmingham, and the panelling of the tank matches some Edmunds and Connaughts.
You are absolutely spot-on to suggest by the photograph and attire of the women and men this was an important occasion - even a couple of dogs plus a black and white cat have sneaked into the picture! In the 1919-22 period, this direct drive but well equipped machine with acetylene lighting kit, horn, carrier and toolboxes would have cost in the order of £65 to £100, at a time when a labourer would have earned about £2-lOs (£2.50) per week and a skilled tradesman such as a carpenter could have made up to £4 per week. For the average person, this motorcycle purchase would have involved a lot of saving, making its buy significant, and worthy of recording with this superb photograph.