Hi Patricia
Well you may well know more than me I'm afraid!
We own a Robey Showmans Steam Engine and when we purchased it it came with a folder of letters from a gentleman (Mr John Bullock) who used to work on the engine - his boss was Charles West (who he held in very high regard). Ever since then I've been trying to piece together the history of the Engine and of Charles West. It's been very difficult not least because they seem to have an allergy to census's and birth records!
Do you know who Harriet Whiting's father was?
I'll have to go through the letters again because there may be references to places that may be of help to you but in the meanwhile:-
Charles West/Oadley - one of 3 boys and 5 girls, son of Mrs H Oadley (previously married to a Mr West) of Alfreton. Charles's Wife - No idea of name! - remarried a Mr Culleo an ice cream vendor of Sheffield.
They were based in Whitwell, Worksop, Notts
They had 3 boys and 2 girls (no names)
His brother in law was a Mr James Whiting
Easter Monday 1931 they were at a fair at Hardwick Hall before 12 noon on the Tuesday Charles West fell off the tow bar and under the Engine as they were pulling out. He was taken to Chesterfield Royal Infirmary and died 4 days later. I imagine there will be newspaper reports but I haven't had chance to go look for them yet.
photo 2004 of Robey engine
http://www.steamscenes.org.uk/?pc=/engines/robey/showmans-tractor/41492/all/you may find these interesting as well
http://hri.shef.ac.uk/db/fairground/gjpg.jsp?id=00150208http://www.bseps.org.uk/scf2k4/FX6661_scf2k4.htmHope that helps at least a little bit!
Kay.
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