Topsham Road

Vin & Beryl Stroud, Ferndale, Topsham Road c.1949
Vin Stroud, Ferndale c.1949
Vin, Beryl & Ray Stroud c.1952

As I mentioned previously, my parents, Vin and Beryl Stroud moved into Ferndale, Topsham Road at the end of the 40s. Dad had been in the Royal Navy in the Far East until 1946.

Dad worked for Tate & Lyle in Silvertown, where he was foreman of the Instruments section, commuting every day (a more pleasant trip in those days).

Being a very practical man he installed his own wind turbine to power some massive batteries to run the house lights.

I attach some photos of the place taken betwen 1949 and 1952. I have more to scan of the garden (Mum was a wonderful gardener – shame I only have monochromes).

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  • Hello Barry and Colin – I’m so sorry for not replying (I hadn’t expected any comments and haven’t logged-on for yonks’). I have no knowledge of the lighting technique nor any details of the motorbike (and have enjoyed reading the ensuing conversation 🙂

    My Dad loved his bikes more than his cars.  He told me he had 13 of them including an Ariel Square Four and a BSA ‘Goldie’.  His favourite was a Vincent Shadow ?). I remember riding in a sidecar until I was school age and then he got a Morris 10; after borrowing workmate’s cars for our holidays  (I remember in particular, a bronze coloured Standard Vanguard).

    As well as a great engineer he was also an inventor and I remember him telling me that as a young man he had modified the gear-shift on a motorbike so that it was a foot pedal rather than the hand-operated lever near the fuel tank.  When he part-exchanged it, he had to put it back to original spec

    By Ray Stroud (07/11/2013)
  • 100% TRIUMPH side~valve. 10,000 of these 3Sws/5sws supplied to WWII (350cc/600cc). Triumphs Factory bombed out by LUFTWAFFE (14.11.1940). I ride TRW Triumph

    By Roger Wicking (04/03/2013)
  • Hi Roger and Barry. I think its motor cycle is Triumph single cylinder OHV maybe Tiger 80 1938 ish over to you.

    Roger pop into battles bridge motor cycle museum if your are that way, me and Peter basset are nommally there on Sunday.

    By Brian Cordell (04/03/2013)
  • Ok Brian, I’ll see bike when Battlesbridge show is on. I remember you as cheeky biker chappie! (we all had motorcycles then, no cars). I had Tiger 110 slickshift, bought from SOS for £35, clipons. TJN 620. 

    I will ask at tomcc for info; side~valve and OHV were in parallel production before WAR, but there were more side~valves about. RIDE SAFE MATE, IN THE MIDDLE! Rogerout

    By Roger Wicking (04/03/2013)
  • Hi Roger and Barry. Triumph motor cycle update is civilian version of mod 3 H OHV350 3 HW ? I think ? Over to you 

    By Brian Cordell (04/03/2013)
  • Brian definately ohv single, pushrod covers are clearly visible. Could be an 80, though most of the Tiger 80’s I have seen have an upswept exhaust pipe, whichever model. It would be wonderful to own today

    By Larue (04/03/2013)
  • Thanks Brian and Roger for the info on the motor cycle. It’s a wonderful looking machine. I would also like to say that your museum at Battlesbridge is great and is well worth a visit.

    By Barry Ellerby (04/03/2013)
  • Hi Ray, I’m fascinated by the first photograph in your article. At the time this was taken home photography for most people was still very basic, with most cameras having little ability to take photographs in very low light. This picture seems to have been taken without a flashlight and gives the impression that your parents are illuminated by firelight. Do you know how this was achieved. Regards Colin

    By Colin Humphrey (03/03/2013)
  • Barry as far as I can tell, the motorcycle is a pre-war Triumph, probably a Tiger 100, circa 1938, before the twin cyclinder models started to pre-dominate regards, larue

    By larue (02/03/2013)
  • Great photos Ray thanks for sharing them,Would you know the make of the motocycle.

    By Barry Ellerby (28/02/2013)

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