OCCUPATION: Smallware manufacturer.
DEATH:62 Stoneleigh Avenue in Coventry.
Francis Carpenter was the last of the Carpenter family to have his own weaving
factory - or topshop or shed as earlier generations had termed them. He
employed about 20 women first in premises in Edgewick Road Foleshill and then,
after the Second World War, in premises purpose-built in Broad Street. The
plans for these can be examined in the city RO.
In many ways he was the last also of the ribbon weavers whose enterprises were
small family concerns since only Cashes was then left. Like Cashes his family
claimed descent from Huguenot refugees - from Lyons in France - but research
to date (1996) has shown that the family antedates the exodus at the time of
the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes. It is interesting to note that John
Carpenter of Coventry was charged with "harbouring inmates" ie strangers to
the city, an offence since they might become a charge on it, but there might
be many other explanations than that they were fellow immigrants.
However it is possible that they were refugees from France after the Massacre
of St Bartholemew's Day which is the story as I heard it from my Auntie
Kathleen.
In the 20th century fashions had changed and silk ribbons were increasingly
less in demand. Rayon was used as a cheaper version of the silk thread and
petersham ribbon for hat bands and skirt waistbands were popular products in
the 1920s and 30s. After 1945 woven labels for quality clothing became the
mainstay of the business along with related ptoducts such as mattress handles.
Francis was not called up for military service as he suffered from asthma so
he managed to keep a trickle of products flowing to his customers even though
worked as a clerk in a munitions factory full time and also as an air-raid
warden. He was thus in a strong position to find business even in the
difficult post-war conditions. He was also fortunate in that he lost little as
a result of the bombing of Coventry although this was in part due to his own
vigilance both as fire fighter and repairer of damage.
There was much boarding up of broken windows and replacing of tiles to be done
after the raids. The looms had to be next to big windows to take advantage of
natural light. Those topshops with their big windows have now been removed a
leaving rows of little two storeyed houses underneath which give no hint today
of the picture the old Foleshill presented with its rows of tall glass
factoriesMARRIAGE: Bell Green Congregational Church.
Married on Easter Saturday 1931.
OCCUPATION: schoolteacher.
BIRTH: Place - Station Rd. Crosshills Glusburn Yorkshire.
This per birth certificate. Address is Station Road Crosshills Glusburn.
DEATH: Place: Comberton Cambridgeshire
DEATH: In about 1960 in South America, he drowned while trying to save Janice
and friend - probably had a heart attack.
Freeman of the City of Coventry as he served an apprenticeship. Joined the
navy in WW2. Missing presumed dead after borrowing a boat which was never
found - after war was over.
DEATH:"died 4 years ago" per Daisy's letter Jan 1987.
DEATH:obit sent by Jean Whitmee 1996.
!BURIAL: Riverview Funeral Home.
In memory card sent by Jean Whitmee.
OCCUPATION: Drawing Office.