You are in [People] [Coal Merchants]
There have been many coal merchants in the town over the years. Notable amongst them are Alexander's and later Lewington's:
Photo Gallery:
Another heavy wagon carrying coal, standing outside Parsons Photographic Studio, now 30 High Street, (date unknown)
(Kindly supplied by Julia Radbourne)
Alexander's Coal Merchants at the railway yard, c1912.
Joe Alexander is the tall man 5th from left; Charlie Deacon is 2nd from right.
Alexander's heavy coal wagon outside London & Provincial Stores (25 High Street), c1902.
Bill Lewington on right; "Bogey" Heath from Eddington in the centre.
Alexander's horses were kept at the station yeard in those days. This picture was taken on early closing or Bank Holiday (the windows are shuttered, and the men in best clothes. It may have been in readiness for taking a childrens' outing to Savernake Forest?
[A. Parsons, Hungerford]
Four heavy wagons, including Lewington's (2nd from left) outside Parsons Photographic Studio, now 30 High Street, (date unknown)
00-gauge model of Alexander's coal wagon, 2020.
- Alexander's heavy coal wagon outside London & Provincial Stores (25 High Street), c1902. Bill Lewington on right; "Bogey" Heath from Eddington in the centre.
Alexander's horses were kept at the station yard in those days. This picture was taken on early closing or Bank Holiday (the windows are shuttered, and the men in best clothes. It may have been in readiness for taking a childrens' outing to Savernake Forest? [A. Parsons, Hungerford].
- Four heavy wagons, including Lewington's (2nd from left) outside Parsons Photographic Studio, now 30 High Street, (date unknown).
- Another heavy wagon carrying coal, standing outside Parsons Photographic Studio, now 30 High Street, (date unknown). (Kindly supplied by Julia Radbourne).
- Alexander's Coal Merchants at the railway yard, c.1912. Joe Alexander is the tall man 5th from left; Charlie Deacon is 2nd from right.
- 00-gauge model of Alexander's coal wagon, 2020.
Alexander's Coal Merchants:
It seems the firm was started by Joseph Alexander (aged 55 years in c.1871) when he bought what is now 120 High Street, the property stretching right back up the hill to a rear entrance in Station Road, conveniently close to the train startion.
Joseph Alexander died c.1896, and William Alexander took over the business (and was Constable in 1901-02).
In 1903 Kelly's Directory describes them as Alexander Bros. - wholesale & retail coal, corn, seed, hay and straw merchants. Artificial manure.
It seems William died c.1911, and the business was continued by Joseph Alexander.
Alexander's workforce in railway yard, c.1912.
Joe Alexander is the tall man, 5th from the left.
In 1914 Horace Coker (butcher) was occupying the residence and the shop, until ?1927. The coal merchant entrance was at the Station Road end.
In 1927 Joseph Alexander took control of the business until his death in 1969, after which the premises were bought by Roy Bennet, who ran is as I.A. Bennet & Sons, Garden Shop until 1988.
Death of Mr Joseph Alexander:
The death took place on Tuesday of Mr Joseph Alexander, of Beacon farm, Hungerford, at the age of 87. He was the managing director of Alexander Bros (Hungerford) Ltd, agricultural and coal merchants, which firm was founded by his father the late Mr Joseph Alexander, and celebrated its centenary in December 1944.
He had been associated with it all his life. Mr Alexander ented Beacon Farm in 1888, purchasing it some years later. In 1920 he also bought Horn Hill Farm, Hungeford. He was connected with the Hungerford Savings Bank, but although interested in the affairs of the town he did not take an active part in public life. He was a strong Methodist.
The funeral takes place tomorrow (Friday) at the Bath-road Methodist Church, at 1.30pm.
Lewington's Coal Merchants:
C.H. Lewington started the coal merchant business in 1922.
An assembly of coal wagons outside Albert Parson's Studio, date unknown, c.1950s
Lewington's team on left
In the 1960s the business was run by Bob Lewington, from the yard off Priory Avenue.
Bob Lewington leading his pair of shire horses with the Carnival Queen, c.1957
In November 1988 Bob Lewington retired, and the business was taken over by Burbage-based W. Mundy & Son.
The yard was developed as the small housing development off Clarks Gardens called Lewington Mews.
The Canal Wharf, 2011