PLYMOUTH |
The Encyclopaedia of Plymouth History |
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Messrs VOSPER'S MOTOR HOUSE (PLYMOUTH) Ltd
Frederick Leonard Vosper was born in Plymouth in 1891. His parents were Mr Francis and Mrs Elizabeth Vosper, a house builder. [1] Mr Frederick Leonard Vosper married Miss Florence Emily Wilson at the Church of Saint Gabriel, Plymouth, on June 17th 1914 [2] Mr Francis Leonard Vosper was born in Plymouth on September 8th 1920. [3] In about 1926 Mr Frederick Leonard Vosper founded Vosper's Radio (Plymouth) Ltd in Russell Street. The business continued for many years until the premises were taken over and he had to close. [4] The family in 1935 lived at 95 Mutley Plain, over the grocery store of Messrs G S Dilleigh & Company Ltd while Miss Doris Vosper looked after the radio store at 15 Russell Street. [5] At the end of the Second World War in 1945 his son, Mr 'Frank' Vosper, started to sell and maintain cars at a garage off Russell Street. In 1951 this became Messrs Vosper's Motor House (Plymouth) Ltd, with Mr Frederick Leonard Vosper as chairman. [4][6] By 1955 their main premises were in Princess Square and their workshops were at 13/14 Cremyll Street, Stonehouse. [7] They were appointed as Ford dealers in 1960 and moved the business to Union Street [6]. In 1966 they started selling lorries as well [8]. With the closure of Messrs Reed's in Cobourg Street in 1969 they became sole Ford dealer in Plymouth [6]. Later they became dealers in Honda motorcycles and started the Vosper's Rental and Contract Hire business. eventually finishing with seven dealerships [8]. Mr Frederick Leonard Vosper died on Saturday January 29th 1966 at his home, 3 Osborne Villas, Stoke. He was 74 years of age. During the Great War he had served as one of the "Old Contemptibles" and was awarded the Military Medal. He was survived by his widow, one son, and three daughters, two of whom were living in Adelaide, Australia. [4] Mr Francis Leonard 'Frank' Vosper died suddenly on September 28th 1974. He was only 54-years-old. Mr Vosper lived at Liswell Meadow House, Membland, Newton Ferrers, and was survived by his widow, two children and his mother. [6] Frank's son, Mr Peter Vosper, took over as managing director. [6] Sources:
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