Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[roverdriver]

The below photograph has a title that is quite odd, and anyone who has even the slightest knowledge of cars would see an immediate error-



The title reads- "Harry Hawker behind the wheel of a Rolls Royce car on a field, Melbourne, 1910 [picture]."

I have no reason to doubt that the driver is Harry Hawker, however the car is obviously not a Rolls Royce, and is probably a Gregoire, however the number plate looks more like one from the U.K. for this period, particularly as in Victoria (Melbourne) digits only would have been used at the time. Can someone please identify, and if possible date the number plate for me?

The description that the car is 'on a field' is rather misleading. A 'field' it might be but it seems to me to be an airfield with hangars in the background. A pity that the signs on each of the sheds cannot be read.

It is a little odd that the car has gas headlamps and electric side lamps. Can anyone offer suggestions as to why? I am inclined to believe that the date for the photo is a little early, but would guess it to be taken during WW1.

Thanks in advance for any help, Dane.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[Inglewood]

LH was issued in London Feb to Aug 1913

[Rick]

The data I have here suggests LH ran from FEB 1913 -> AUG 1913 (http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/registrations/lh.htm).

Neat photo

RJ
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[peter scott]

[Rick]

Does the sign on the righthand building behind read "Bristol" ?

I see what Peter means about the background looking similar to the Brooklands circuit.

RJ
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[Rick]

You've probably already seen this, but here is a reference to Harry Hawker driving a Gregoire:

http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/muriel-hawker/h-g-hawker-airman-his-life-and-work-hci/page-12-h-g-hawker-airman-his-life-and-work-hci.shtml

(scroll approx half way down the page)

RJ
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[roverdriver]

Thank you all. Such a wonderful set of responses. Now I have confirmation that the photo is after 1910, that it was taken in England, that the 'field' is very likely Brooklands, that Harry Hawker definitely owned (or at least drove) a Gregoire. One could not ask for more.

Again, very many thanks gents.

Now a little bit of useless information-
In about 1967, a much older friend (Bill Groves) took me and his family on a motoring trip. Bill used always to spend his summer holidays, away from his engineering works, by carting hay in the Caramut (Western Victoria) area. 1967 was a drought year so there was no hay carting, however the trip included Caramut as well as many other places.

Knowing my interest in old houses, Bill, took me to view the ruined remains of Caramut House, and while were there, he showed me, scratched onto the plaster wall in a ruined room, the name of Harry Hawker. Bill said it was the famous Harry Hawker's work. I had little knowledge of Hawker's history, but after the trip spent a little time trying to find out how his name would be on the wall of a derelict mansion in country Victoria. My search was unsuccessful so I gave it up. Although it was unlikely that Bill would give false information, I was never able to confirm it.

While still living in Melbourne, on one of our Model A trips we went along the Hamilton Highway and called in to Caramut. I showed our children the Harry Hawker signature on the wall.

Here is a quote from a book that I am reading about another famous aviator-

As an 11-year-old, he worked at the Melbourne garage of Hall & Warden, helping to build engines,, moving on to the Tarrant Motor & Engineering Co, helping make Tarrant cars, where he qualified as a mechanic. In 1907, he moved again to become the chauffeur and mechanic for Ernest De Little in Caramut, Western Victoria. In 1910 he travelled to Digger's Rest to see the first demonstrations of powered flight made in Australia, and decided to go to England to become involved in aviation, arriving in May 1911.

So, Bill was correct, Harry was De Little's mechanic and would have stayed at Caramut House when working on De Little's Rolls Royce.
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[JC T ONE]

Now THAT is a nice story, and just what these forums are all about

Nice read and great photos.
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[peter scott]

Excellent stuff Dane. I had no idea of Hawker's background.

Thanks,

Peter
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