Herbert and Annie (possibly) on ‘EE 5543’, a 3.45 hp ‘Excelsior Sports’ motorcycle c1920s.

An original, amateur photograph on Kodak VELOX paper.

We are very grateful indeed to Tracey Townsend of North East Lincolnshire Archives (Lincs Inspire Ltd.) who has, amazingly, identified the motorcycle, potentially the owner and possibly the location.

The details on the Motor Vehicle Registration Card held by the Archives indicate that ‘EE 5543’ was a 3.45 hp ‘Excelsior Sports’ O.H.V. (1926). It was registered to Herbert Land of 495 Weelsby Street, Grimsby. It can be seen from the picture that the motorcycle had a J.A.P. engine (John Alfred Prestwich).

Herbert Land owned the motorcycle from October 1925 until at least 1929. From 1935, it had a number of local owners; K. Cripsey of Fuller Street, James William Southwell Smith of Curry Road, Albert Richardson of Hainton Avenue, William Griffiths of Orwell Street, John B. Powell of Riby Street and Percy Blanchard of Weelsby Street.

It’s possible, therefore, that the photo shows Herbert Land, a fitter’s labourer at a motor works, and his wife Annie on the motorcycle, when it was relatively new. (They were still living at 495 Weelsby Street in 1939.)

Note: Herbert Land (1883-1947) married Annie Elizabeth Shepherd (1884-1962) in Grimsby in 1908.

Note: The cat on the roof.