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There is this one but is 16 August 1918

Civil Registration event: Death
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Name: HOPE, Leonard
Registration district: Abingdon
County: Berkshire
Year of registration: 1977
Quarter of registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Date of birth: 16 August 1918
Volume no: 20
Page no: 2020



Cannot find a corresponding birth though!

Hi, went hunting for John Allen and came up with this snippet:

".....The area is closely associated with light engineering in general and agricultural machines in particular. The first steam rollers and ploughs were invented locally by a John Allen of Oxford in 1868."

(from http://www.naturalengland.co.uk/Images/109_Mid_Vale_Ridge_tcm6-32125.pdf )

So changing my search from Abingdon to Oxford brought up many more references, for instance:

Only one John Allen engine is listed in the Traction Engine Register, this being John Allen no. 67, a 12 ton ploughing engine built in 1913 preserved at the Hollycombe Steam collection in Hampshire.

and

The company of John Allen of Oxford Ltd was originally established in 1874 as the Oxfordshire Steam Ploughing Company. John Allen takes over the firm in 1897. The Firm became John Allen & (Sons) Ltd in 1925. The firm was noted for manufacturing scarifiers for steam rollers and also re built engines. They built a few steam engines themselves and also fair ground rides.

(both from http://tractors.wikia.com/wiki/John_Allen_of_Oxford )

The Oxford Mail has information about the later periods (thirties onwards), but does mention a site:

"The John Allen name was revived when the site in Between Towns Road, Cowley, was developed as a retail park"

http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/community/memorylane/9610772.Diner_time/

... and the Road Locomotion Society (founded in 1937), to celebrate its 75th anniversary (so 2012) has commissioned this book:

"ALLEN'S OF OXFORD Written by Jonathan Brown

To celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the Society the Committee have commissioned Dr Jonathan Brown of the Museum of English Rural Life, Reading to write the full history of the well known firm of John Allen & Co., (Oxford) Ltd., which includes the Oxford Steam Plough Company.

The book tells the complete history of this well known Company. Right from its formation in 1868 to the closure of the Cowley works in 1985.

In the early days the Company played an important innovative part in the steam era, particularly with steam ploughing engines and later steam rollers. The business diversified into rebuilding and converting many engines, and also patented the Allen scarifier and then went on to build fairground gallopers and the famous Allen scythe.

A limited edition A4 hard back book, on good quality glossy paper, with hard back colour cover, the book consists of the full history of this well known company

and includes many previously unpublished photographs.

Price £25 +£5 p&p

Published by the Road Locomotive Society (Registered Charity No. 1102574) "

http://www.photoart.plus.com/RLS/publications.html

Hi I have since found out that leonard (my grandad) died in Abingdon, but was cremated in chatham. He lived in strood at the time but was visiting family, would that have been registered as chatham or Abingdon? HE does have a son born 1940 who married in 1965, that is my parents. Will double check dates with my parents. We have had my aunt and uncle over from Australia, and have been discussing things, they knew a lot more than my parents.

Think that this is a real possibility.......even though the year of birth is out by a few years that could be down to whoever registered the death.

From my reply earlier:-

Civil Registration event: Death
Print Close
Name: HOPE, Leonard
Registration district: Abingdon
County: Berkshire
Year of registration: 1977
Quarter of registration: Oct-Nov-Dec
Date of birth: 16 August 1918
Volume no: 20
Page no: 2020



Cannot find a corresponding birth though so that could be because the year of birth at death was incorrect.

Did leonard have any siblings that would confirm his mothers maiden name?