Links:

• John Edwin Sharp
• Theodosia Emma Hann
• Isabella Mary Ann Hann

Generation 1 - Children of John and Theodosia

• Ernest John Sharp
• Alice Theodosia Sharp
• Bertram Sharp
• Arthur Sharp
• Eleanor Rose Sharp

Generation 1 - Children of John and Isabella

• Charles Sharp
• Jessie Sharp
• Isabella Sharp
• Sarah Sharp
• John Bentley Sharp
• Edwin Sharp

Generation 2 - Children of John Bentley Sharp

• Eileen Sharp
• Joan Sharp
• Doreen Sharp
• Dennis Sharp
• John Sharp
• Desmond Sharp
• Norrie Sharp

Eleanor Rose Sharp, 1872-1914

Eleanor Rose Sharp was born on 29 April 1872 in Lee, Kent. She married an Australian Selwyn Francis Edge in 1892 in Upper Norwood, London, when she was 20 years old. Selwyn had been taken to England when he was three years old by his parents. He was born in Concord township, near Sydney, on 29 March 1868 to Alexander and Annie Edge. He had 3 brothers: Kelburne Ernest b 15 Nov 1869, d 1920, Seaton Taylor (1872-1910), and William Alexander (1874-1915), and two sisters Mary Elizabeth (1873-1967) and Marguerite 'Daisie' Stella (1883-1971).

In the 1881 Census, Eleanor R Sharp is recorded as living in the household of Francis Walter and his wife Theodosia. She is listed along with her 13 year old sister Alice. Also there was a one year old boy named Francis Walter. The girls were listed as being born in Lee, Kent (although her death certificate and coroners report record lists her birthplace as Dublin, Ireland.)

See also an image titled "Mr S.F. Edge and his 16-H.P. Napier car" on Flickr.

In the magazine entitled "The Norwood Review" issue 226 dated Autumn 2019, there is a lengthy description from pages 4-9 of the occupants of Odessa House at 80 Belvedere Road, Upper Norwood (an area of South London), which Alexander Ernest Edge took possession of as a 21-year lease on 24 June 1879, until late 1891, when he returned to New South Wales. Annie had died at Odessa House in 1889. You can read The Norwood Review in pdf format.

Eleanor and Selwyn were involved in motoring, as Selwyn was a motoring buff, and was well known in the motoring world in the early 20th century. See the Unique Cars and Parts website for photo and story. He was an early pioneer of the motor car, cycle, launch and flying machines, and broke many records. There is mention of a Mrs S F Edge in "The Times" in 1904 at The Meet of the Automobile Ladies Club. She was driving a 12 horsepower Napier - see photos and story of the Napier. Selwyn wrote a book in 1934 called "My Motoring Reminiscences" (see British Library listing record) which covers his motoring life between 1895-1912 and other details were published in a book written by G H Smith and published by H R Grubb of Croydon in 1931, which is also available through the British Library.

Eleanor Rose appeared to share Selwyn's enthusiasm for cycling in the 1890s, joining him on rides in the south London area, and Eleanor drove a Gladiator car in the early 1900s (pictured). (Selwyn was agent for Gladiator cars, amongst other makes.) In the 1901 Census they were shown as living at 7 Tavistock Chambers, Bloomsbury although she is described as "living on own means". She was interviewed in 1902 when it was recorded "though driving herself nearly every day in her Gladiator, she normally joins her husband on a bigger vehicle for weekend excursions". She is also mentioned by "The Motor" as being present during Selwyn's record-breaking 24-hour run at Brooklands in 1907. It would appear that they separated not long after that.

Following Eleanor's death, Selwyn married Myra Caroline Martin (1887-1969) on 17 March 1917 in Christ Church, Mayfair and they had 2 girls, Myra Jean Edge (1920-2012); and Sonia Frances Edge (1922-2012). Myra was a 30 year old spinster from West Merton and Selwyn was a 48 year old widower, with an occupation of Ministry of Munitions, living at 7 Hertford St. In fact he was the Controller of the Agricultural Machinery Dept. Myra Jean died on 23 March 2012, as noted in an obituary in "The Times". She had married Maurice Hassid, and lived in Geneva. Myra Caroline Martin is mentioned on the UK National Archives website as being involved in property transactions. He was also closely associated with "the fastest girl on earth" Dorothy Levitt, who was reported as the first woman in the world to compete in a motor race. See Dorothy's story on her Wikipedia page.

Articles of interest about Selwyn Francis Edge

An article entitled "Mr S F Edge" published in "The Sydney Morning Herald" on Tuesday 6 May 1930 stated: Mr S F Edge, the great English motorist, who did much to establish the six-cylinder engine by his record breaking and racing performances nearly a quarter of a century ago, claims to have covered 600,000 miles since he first drove in 1895. He has had only one insurance claim, and has a clean licence, although he has driven both far and reasonably fast. He still finds motor car driving his most interesting and pleasing sport, a long-distance drive being his greatest rest, relaxation and holiday. Many improvements in the design and equipment of cars were effected as the results of practical tests made by Mr Edge, who was the only British driver to win the Gordon Bennett Cup road race. He was also a prominent marine motorist, his boats, the Napiers, being winners of some great International races. View article online.

In another article dated 30 November 1932 entitled "MOTOR WRINKLES. S.F. EDGE RETURNS" Every follower of motoring sport is familiar with the name S.F. Edge, for that gentleman can rightly claim to be one of the leading pioneers of motoring and motor racing. Mr Edge who is now revisiting Australia, was born near Sydney, but at a very early age removed with his parents to England. When a very young man he became absorbed in cycling and motoring and in both branches of sport has a long list of successes to his credit. In earlier years he won many important contests and also soon came to the front as a prominent figure in the British motor industry, his name being linked with the productions of several renowned factories." View article online

VETERAN MOTORIST, Mr. S. F. Edge's Visit, Pioneering Exploits, Successes as Driver

"Australia is well advanced in the development of road transport and its people are fully alive to the usefulness of the motor vehicle," said Mr. S. F. Edge, noted authority on motoring matters. Mr. Edge, attracted by the excellent fishing in the Great Lake, arrived from England on Tuesday, and is staying in Hobart. He considers that roads generally in Australia are of a high standard, a fact that is not realised by most people in Great Britain.

Mr. Edge is charmed with what he has seen of Tasmania, and is looking forward to some good sport with rod and line at the Great Lake, accompanied by his old friend, Mr. E. M. Mayes, one of the best-known anglers in England.

Mr. Edge was born at Concord (N.S.W.), and when three years old went to England, where he has resided, ever since, apart from occasional visits to the Continent of Europe and a trip to Australia about three years ago. As a young man he was a keen cyclist, and rode the safety bicycle and the tricycle with a good deal of success. He won the English tricycle championship in 1888. His best distance was 100 miles, and he won eight scratch events on the road over that distance. During his cycling career he was associated with the Rudge Company. He became interested in motoring about 1895 and realising the possibilities of vehicles propelled by internal combustion engines, went into partnership with Mr. M. Napier with a view to the manufacture of automobiles. The first car was built in 1899, and Mr. Edge drove it in the reliability trial conducted the following year by the Royal Automobile Club. The route of the trial was from London lo Edinburgh, via the East Coast, returning by way of the West Coast. More than 100 cars took part, but only a small proportion finished. Mr. Edge won a gold medal given for first place. Apart from tyre trouble which was regarded as inevitable in those days, Mr. Edge had no trouble during the trial. He had a lucky escape from accident when the car started to run backwards down a hill. The brakes fitted to cars then would not act when the car was moving backward, but a sprag was provided to stop the vehicle in such an emergency. Unfortunately, the car ran over the sprag, and it was only by dexterous steering that Mr. Edge managed to keep the car on the road till a level stretch was reached. In this trial, Mr. Edge used pneumatic tyres, though many of his competitors had cars fitted with solid rubber tyres.

FEATS OF SPEED.

The race for the Gordon Bennett trophy. In 1902, over a route from Paris to Innsbruck (Austria), was won by Mr. Edge, driving a six-cylinder Napier car. A condition was that all parts of competing cars had to be made in the country of origin, and this resulted in the establishment in England of factories for certain parts that had always been imported from the Continent previously. Mr. Edge competed in more than 200 speed tests and hill climbs prior to 1907, and won many trophies. About that time a press controversy was started as to whether it was possible for a motor car to be driven continuously for 24 hours at a speed of 60 miles an hour. Mr. Edge hired the famous Brooklands track, and averaged 67 miles an hour for 24 hours, gaining much approbation from motoring enthusiasts for the feat. He used a six cylinder Napier car. During the test no fewer than 44 tyres burst, and Mr Edge frequently saw them bowling along in front of the car. After 1907, Mr. Edge retired from car racing for about 10 years. In 1917 a good deal of attention was directed to what was termed double 12-hour trials. He drove a 40 horse-powered six-cylinder Lanchester at Brooklands and averaged 87 miles an hour for the double 12 hours. Retiring from the Napier car business in 1912, Mr. Edge devoted himself to farming pursuits, and for 10 years prior to 1927 conducted in Sussex a pedigree pig farm, on which he ran about 6,000 pigs. Thoe establishment was the largest of its kind in the world, Mr. Edge believes, and the turnover was in the vicinity of £1,000 daily. Mr. Edge sold the farm when his heart was affected by a bad tooth and his health became too bad to continue. After consulting a specialist, who did not do him much good, he decided that the trouble with his heart was that it was lacking in rhythm. He cured himself by bicycle riding. (It is believed only 24 tyres were burst, not 44 as stated in the article.)

In 1918 Mr. Edge became interested in the motor business again, joining Mr. T. Gillett in an enterprise for the manufacture of A.C. cars. Mr. Edge had a good deal to do with the design of the A.C. car, which was a very light vehicle, with the gearbox located near the rear axle. At the time big, high powered American cars were popular in England, and the A.C. probably came a few years too soon to be a commercial success. As a car it was most successful, and it was the forerunner of a type of car that today commands a big share of the British market. It was rather strange that Mr. Edge's 24-hour record, which had stood for many years, was beaten by a car of his own design, when Mr. Gillett, driving an A.C. Six, established a record at the Montlhery track near Paris in 1918.

Mr. Edge now resides at Hindhead (Surrey). His chief recreations are motoring and fishing. Ho covers about 30,000 miles annually in his car, an Armstrong-Siddeley Six fitted with self changing gears. He considers this system the best of all transmission systems.

IMPRESSIONS OF AUSTRALIA

"I was surprised to find how prosperous the people of Australia appear," said Mr. Edge, when asked what impressions he had gained since his arrival. The roads generally in Australia were very good, and the main Launceston-Hobart highway, which he travelled over on Tuesday, was in first-class condition. He had never seen in an English city so many cars parked on either side of the street as in Melbourne. Motoring was undoubtedly an integral part of the life of Australians. It was regrettable that there were so many cars of American origin in the Commonwealth. The British manufacturers had produced cars capable of giving a good performance in Australian conditions, and it was a pity they were not given more support.

Mr. Edge considers that with the development of the autogyro aviation will make immense strides, and eventually, displace the automobile. The high taking-off and landing speeds necessary with an ordinary aeroplane have, in his opinion, retarded the growth of aviation as a popular means of transport. Ho has made several flights in commercial machines on services between England and the Continent, and in an experimental craft designed by the Armstrong-Siddeley concern.

From The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) Thu 7 Feb 1935, Page 12, VETERAN MOTORIST

MR. S. F. EDGE RETURNS. Railways in the Future.

Mr. S. F. Edge, one of the pioneers of the British motor industry and a leading authority on auto motive subjects, is now on a visit to Australia, his native land, whence he was taken to England by his parents about 60 years ago. Mr. Edge's dynamic and progressive activities in the furtherance of motors and motoring, probably did more to advance the automotive industry in its swaddling days, than any other individual in the British Empire. His opinions have always carried considerable weight in all parts or the world, and because many of early predictions have been fulfilled, his views as to the eventual solution of the road v. rail transport problems are of particular interest. Mr Edge foresees the day when the land transport of people, for short and moderate distances will depend largely on the motor bus, while the low initial cost and running of the baby type of car will bring it into almost universal favour. He believes that in time many non-payable railway lines in various parts of the world will be turned into special auto roads, for the use of which toll charges will be made. The railway stations on these closed rail roads will be turned into bus terminals. For long distance travel aeroplanes will be used, with landing stages built over railway stations and yards in populous centres as landing grounds for commercial aircraft. In the not distant future, Mr. Edge thinks that private cars will resolve into two groups, small economy cars and larger vehicles of from 16 to 20 h.p. (nominal), the last mentioned type having ample power to give all the efficiency and comfort assured by the big cars of today. Six cylinder engines, he predicts, will be most popular, with "fours" in use in many of the smaller utility cars. Mr. Edge may be said to have, in conjunction with Mr. D. Napier, fathered the 6-cylinder car, for many Napiers with 6-cylinder engines were in use in various parts of the globe, including Australia, as far back as 1906. Mr. Edge forecasts rapid developments in automotive engineering, and particularly in regard to use of pre-selective gears, liquid fly wheel, etc. In his opinion automotive transport has a wonderful future, and no country in the world needs it more than Australia, with its huge and sparse population.

From Queensland Times (Ipswich, Qld. : 1909 - 1954) Fri 18 Nov 1932, Page 4, For the MOTORIST

MR F. S. EDGE, Pioneer Returns to Native Land

MR F. S. EDGE, one of Britain's most notable pioneers of motoring, arrived in Melbourne from England today, and will leave for Sydney tomorrow. He was born at Concord (N.S.W.). In 1868, and when still an infant was taken by his parents to England. For nearly 50 years the name of F. S. Edge has been associated with cycling and motoring. As a youth he became prominent as a cyclist, among his contemporaries being "Monty" Holbein and G. P. Mills, and it is doubtful if Britain has had such a fine trio of long-distance road cyclists since those days. In 1897 he was secretary of the English Dunlop Tyre Co.

SPORT AND BUSINESS. Mr Edge was among the first Britishers to engage seriously in motoring as a sport and in business, and he was soon one of the leaders in both. He was early associated with David* Napier in the making and marketing of the six-cylinder Napier car, which, for many years, was one of the best known cars in the world. Many cars and trucks of this make were prominent on Australian roads 26 years ago. In 1902 he won for Britain the International Gordon Bennett Cup, given for an annual international motor car road race by Mr James Gordon Bennett, of the New York Herald. His British outfit was a 50 h.p. Napier and Dunlop. By December, 1901 all world's speed records from one to 20 miles were standing to the credit of Napier cars, while in 1907 Mr Edge drove his six-cylinder Napier 1581 miles 1310 yards in 24 hours on the Brooklands track, a record that stood for 18 years. Mr Edge will be entertained at dinner at the Oriental Hotel this evening by the Chamber of Automotive Industries.

*Correction: Montague Napier, not David Napier.

From The Herald (Melbourne, Vic. : 1861 - 1954) Mon 7 Nov 1932 Page 14 The Herald MOTOR SERVICE

Doomed by the Doctor

This article describes how S.F. Edge took up cycling to improve his health, and met with considerable success after winning more 100-mile road races than anyone in England, and added the Bordeaux-Paris Cup to his collection of trophies. Read the full article Doomed by the Doctor in pdf format. (From Truth (Sydney, NSW : 1894 - 1954) Sun 20 Nov 1932 Page 10 Doomed By Doctor).

ROMANCE OF THE MOTOR

Reminiscences of Mr S.F. Edge, historic feats and tribulations recalled. This article is too long to reproduce here, so please refer to the file Romance of the Motor (pdf). (From Telegraph (Brisbane, Qld. 1872 - 1947), Monday 22 October 1934, page 11)

Parade of the Veterans

In the article in the Queenslander on 1 November 1934, S. F. Edge's book "My Motoring Reminiscences" is reviewed. The article is too long to reproduce here, so you can download and read it from the pdf file Parade of the Veterans. (from the Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 - 1939), Thursday 1 November 1934, page 12)

S.F. EDGE GETS AN AUSTRALIAN DRIVING LICENCE

An elderly gentleman, well set up and well spoken, recently called at the Sydney motor traffic office. He wanted a driving licence. There would have to be a test, he was told. But, explained the applicant, he had an English and a French licence, and he had considerable driving experience. But that did not count - the applicant had to go through with the test. He got his licence. But that was not surprising, for the applicant was none other than S. F. Edge, for many years one of the big names in English motoring, the only Britisher to ever win a Gordon Bennett race, world's record holder, and the man who has driven over a million miles.

"It's a pity to make things hard, rather than easy, for the tourist," comments Mr. Edge, "If he is competent to have a driver's licence, in any important country, the visitor should be competent to drive here. Often, too, the tourist has only limited time; and, in any case, the fact of his having to sit for a motoring test is irritating." But the famous visitor has bouquets as well as a brickbat for Sydney's motoring. "Your traffic control is excellent," he says, "and the taxis are the finest I have ever seen. Oh, yes, much better than those of London and in Continental cities. They are well handled, and, of course, the 6d. per mile rate is surprisingly cheap."

For three years - his first three years - Mr. Edge was an Australian. Sixty-seven years ago he was born at Concord, Sydney, and there he lived until his parents took him to England. It was an adventurous trip. The wind jammer was dismasted off Cape Horn, and limped home on jury rig.

In 1895 young Edge first became news. Under the tutelage of Charron, prince of pioneer drivers, he drove a car in France. From then on, until in 1912, when he resigned the managing directorship of the Napier Company, he was a big motor man. Earlier he was a crack cyclist - he was a trike champion - but when he persuaded Napier to switch from weighing machines to motor cars, he helped to win world-fame for the marque. Besides the Gordon Bennett victory, his major speed achievements included the world's 24-hour record. Nowadays, Mr. Edge is just a motorist. He has made this, his second trip to Australia in 64 years, to see his sisters.

From Smith's Weekly (Sydney, NSW : 1919 - 1950) Sat 9 Mar 1935 Page 14 S. F. EDGE GETS AN AUSTRALIAN DRIVING LICENCE

Children

According to Eleanor's death certificate, Selwyn and Eleanor did not have any children. Also there was a quote in "The Times" when S. F Edge was threatened by a former employee in 1907 - the man threatened to kill him - the employee had written "And after I show that white faced adulterous cad up, I will kill him". One can only imagine what led to a comment like that. That may explain why there were no children.

Deaths

Eleanor died at 414 Roslyn Hall, The Crescent, Manly, Sydney, Australia on 24 November 1914, of natural causes from pneumonia, aged 42 (Ref NSW BDM 18730/1914), her parents being listed as John Sharp, a lace importer, and Theodosia Emma Hann.

Information about Eleanor was found after a Google search on the RootsChat discussion board and pieced together from the threads. However her death notice has not been found in any Sydney newspapers. She was buried in the South Head Cemetery, Church of England section, on 25 November 1914 (it is believed there is no headstone according to archivists who have documented all the headstones in this cemetery). An enquiry into her death was held on 2 December 1914, and there is mention on one website of her enquiry file, which has not yet been obtained (New South Wales, Australia, Registers of Coroners' Inquests, 1796-1942). Investigations continue as it is interesting that Eleanor is not mentioned in any of Selwyn's articles or notices. Why she ended up in Australia 4 years before her death is puzzling. Maybe she was visiting her husband's family at the time. View Eleanor's Death Certificate 1914/018730 - original (pdf) and transcript (Word).

Selwyn died on 12 February 1940 at Princess Alice Hospital in Eastbourne, Sussex, England, and in his obituary it mentions that "he was married and had two daughters". His address at the time was Dentdale Corrie-road, Beacon-hill, Hindhead, Surrey. It lists his effects as being worth £398.17s.7d. Another record shows that Selwyn Francis Edge, at age 33, was the managing director of an automobile company, born NSW. He is buried at Tilford near Farnham, along with his second wife (ashes) and cousin Arthur Cecil Edge, who died at "Uplands" in Tilford, which was where Selwyn was also living.

Selwyn's death and obituary was published in several editions of Australian newspapers. Even though he spent all his life in England, he was considered an Australian icon of motoring.

Canberra Times, Wednesday 14 February 1940: MOTOR PIONEER, Death of S. F. Edge. LONDON. The death was announced of Selwyn Francis Edge, who was born in Sydney in 1868. He held many motor car records and was interested in farming pursuits and was the controller of the Agricultural Machinery Department of the Ministry of Munitions during the Great War.

Sydney Morning Herald, Wednesday 14 February 1940, page 16: DEATH OF MR S. F. EDGE. The death has occurred of Mr. Selwyn Francis Edge, aged 72, a former prominent figure in the motor business in the United Kingdom. He was born In Sydney. Mr. Edge was the founder and principal shareholder of S. F. Edge, Ltd. He sold out his interest in 1912 and occupied himself mainly with farming and land-owning interests until 1921, when he returned to the motor business. He became governing director of A. C. (Acedes) Cars, Ltd. In 1917, he was controller of the Agricultural Machinery Department of the Ministry of Munitions. With Mr. Dan Albone, of Biggles wade, he introduced the farm tractor in Britain. Mr. Edge was the winner of many classic cycle races, the Gordon Bennett race, the International Harmsworth motor boat trophy, and the championship of the sea at Monaco. He was the holder for many years of the 24 hours' motor car record of 1,581 miles' continuous driving, in Britain.

OBITUARY - MR SELWYN F. EDGE. Motoring Pioneer In Britain. LONDON, February 13. The death of Mr. Selwyn Francis Edge, motorist and one of the pioneers of the motor manufacturing industry in Britain, is announced.

Mr Edge, who was born in Sydney 72 years ago, was the outstanding long distance racing cyclist of his time in England. He founded in 1899 the Motor Power Co., and was later associated with several firms, including that of Napier. He founded S. F. Edge Ltd, but sold out to D. Napier and Son Ltd. In 1912 he was then occupied with farming interests until 1921 when he returned to the motoring business. He was controller of the Agricultural Machlnery Department of the Ministry for Munitions during the Great War, and at his death was governing director of A. C. (Acedes) Cars Ltd*. When farming he established the biggest pedigree pig breeding business in Britain, and introduced the farm tractor to the country. For 17 years he held the English record of 1,581 miles for 24 hours of continuous driving, and was the only British winner of the Gorden Bennett race for balloons and the Harmsworth Motor-boat Trophy. (update: *In fact A.C. (Acedes) Cars Ltd went into liquidation in 1929 and he had no involvement in the company after that.)

PROBATE: EDGE, Selwyn Frances of Dentdale Corrie-road Beakon-hill Hindhead Surrey died 12 February 1940 at Princess Alice Hospital Eastbourne. Probate London 23 May to Myra Caroline Edge widow. Effects £398.17s.7p.

Kelburne Ernest Edge

Selwyn's brother, Kelburne Ernest Edge, was born in Concord, NSW, on 15 November 1869, a son of Alexander Ernest Edge, clerk, and his wife Annie Sharp who married in 1868 and emigrated to the UK about 1870. Other children in the family were Selwyn Francis (1868-1940), Seaton Taylor (1872-1910), Mary Elizabeth (1873-1967), William Alexander (1874-1915) and Marguerite 'Daisie' Stella (1883-1971). Known by his second name, Ernest was well travelled, as he arrived back in Sydney from London in March 1891, just a few months before he came to Tasmania on a bicycling trip and to visit the Exhibition in Launceston. He exhibited a typewriter and cash handling system that was used by drapers and returned to Sydney from Hobart on the "SS Oonah".

Ernest was an electrician, but had his own diverse business at 126 Pitt Street, which included being the sole agent and importer of the Yost typewriter, agent for the Edison Mimeograph, Japanese paper, letter books, fountain and style pens. His company Edge & Edge at 248a Pitt Street imported bicycles and accessories. By 1900 this business was described as electrical and mechanical engineers and contractors for electric light and power installation.

In 1896 Ernest married Hilda Gertrude Smith, daughter of Isaac Drummond and Mary Ann Smith of St Leonards, NSW. The couple had a daughter, Marjorie, born in 1898 in Carlton, Victoria. In 1901 he sailed again for London via the USA. Ernest then moved to Dunedin, and died in 1920; his wife died in Roseville, NSW aged 97 in August 1970.

Death Notice: EDGE. On September 9, at his late residence, 84 Elm row, Dunedin, Kelburne Ernest, dearly loved husband of Hilda Edge and son of Alex. Edge, Sydney. Private interment. Otago Witness, 14 September 1920.

Kelburne was buried at Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin, Block 55, plot 13, on 11 September 1920.

MOTORS AND MOTORING. Kelburne Edge, of Sydney, brother of S. F. Edge, the leading racing motorist of England and winner of the Gordon Bennett Cup in 1902, has signified his intention of trying to emulate his famous brother by "carrying off" the premier motor contest of Australia, to be held from Sydney to Melbourne on February 21 to 25. It is predicted that in England and on the Continent the prices of motor cars will be materially reduced this year. It is stated in regard to the forthcoming Gordon Bennett race that several cars have been constructed with engines of 130 h.p., and which may, if the conditions are available, attain a speed of 130 miles an hour. A few of these cars are already on the roads, and are being put through their paces, in order to allow the drivers to become accustomed the manipulating the cars at 100 miles an hour and over. From: New Zealand Herald 11 February 1905 Page 5 (Supplement).

See Launceston Family Album web page.

There is a lot more information about Kelburne Ernest Edge not yet published. If you are interested, please contact me.

Seaton Taylor Edge

Seaton was in partnership with his brother Kelburne (Ernest) as the other Edge in Edge & Edge, but had returned to England by 1905 where he was active racing motor boats owned by Selwyn, and he was a founding member of the British Motor Boat Club in 1905. In 1907 he was living in Selwyn's flat in Whitehall Court.

Death Notice 5 May 1910: EDGE. May 2, at Yelverton, Dartmoor, England, Seaton Taylor Edge, son of A. E. Edge, of Kinsale, Balmain. (From The Sydney Morning Herald, Thu 5 May 1910). It is unknown why Seaton was in the UK at the time of his death. Burial location is unknown.

William Alexander Edge

William and Hannah-More Barrow were married on 24 June 1903 at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney. She was a spinster aged 43 and he was a bachelor, occupation Accountant, aged 29 years. His father's occupation was Importer, named Alexander Ernest Edge, and his wife was Anna Charlotte Sharp. The marriage notice reads: EDGE-BARROW - On 24 June, at St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney, by the Rev. R. J. Read, William Alexander Edge, of London, to Hannah-More, only child of George and Marie Barrow, of "Fairfield", Glen Innes, and great-granddaughter of Sir William Moreton, Kent, of Moreton-hall, Moreton, Cheshire, England. (From the Australasian, Sat 18 July 1903, page 55).

Death Notice 1 February 1915 in The Sun: EDGE. January 30, at the Royal Hospital, after a severe operation, William Alexander Edge, much loved husband of H.M.B. Edge, of "Tintern" Kent street, Rockdale, and late of Lewisham.

William was buried in Waverley Cemetery, Section 16 Select, row 40, and the inscription on his headstone says: "husb. of H.M.B. Edge and son-in-law of above. In his 41st year." This was his father-in-law George Barrow.

Hannah died a widow on 9 August 1945 is buried at the Woronora Memorial Park, Sutherland, Sutherland Shire, New South Wales, Australia.

In her will, Hannah left an estate worth £24,963. According to this newspaper article in the Northern Star on Tuesday 24 December 1946: PETS DISAPPEARED. SYDNEY, Monday Mrs. Hannah More Edge, who left a £24,963 estate, said in her will she wished to have all her pets put to death to avoid the possibility of anyone being unkind to them. Today her solicitor (Mr. J. W. Begg) said the pets could not be found. He suspected that someone who was attached to the pets and who knew of the will had taken them.

In an article in The Propeller on 26 December 1946, the following is found: WIDOW'S STRANGE WILL. Pets to be Buried With Her. Mrs. Hannah More Barrow Edge, a widow, aged 84 years, of Upper Kent Street, Rockdale, who died last year leaving £24,963, directed in her Will, that her dog, cat, birds and any other pets that she might have, at the time of her death, should be buried with her. In her will, probate of which was granted in the Supreme Court last week, she said that she desired that her pets be painlessly deprived of life to prevent the possibility of anyone being cruel to them after she was dead. Mrs. Edge left £1000 each to the Far West Children's Health Scheme, Manly, the Rachel Forster Hospital, Redfern, and the Home for Incurables Ryde. She directed that after legacies to friends and relatives, amounting to £1300, had been paid, the residue of her estate was to be divided equally between the R.S.P.C.A., the Home of Peace for the Dying, Marrickville; Deaf, Dumb and Blind Institute, Darlington; Blind Institute, Boomerang Street; The Salvation Army, for rescue work in Sydney districts; Sydney City Mission and Night Refuge, and the Central Methodist Mission, Sydney.

References

September 2015: Thanks to Craig Horner, UK, for information about Selwyn's 2nd wife, and image of Eleanor with vehicle.

December 2022: Thanks to Simon Fisher, Nairobi, Kenya, author of "S.F. Edge, Maker of Motoring History" published on 1 September 2022 and available on booktopia . Selwyn Francis Edge, invariably known simply as 'SF', was a highly significant pioneer of motoring in Britain. When, in 1902, he drove a Napier to victory in the Gordon Bennett Cup, a mighty event on public roads between Paris in France and Innsbruck in Austria, he initiated serious British endeavour in motor racing. He was deeply involved in the birth of Brooklands, setting a 24-hour solo driving record there when the circuit opened in 1907. As a towering industry figure most closely associated with Napier and AC Cars, he played an important role in the growth of car manufacture in Britain. In the words of 'Bentley Boy' S.C.H. 'Sammy' Davis, 'His keen grey eyes, the bushy eyebrows and the hawk-like face made him a notable figure in any assembly.' This biography uncovers the life of an extraordinary man whose achievements deserve to be far more widely recognised.

See Graces Guide to British Industrial History for a history of Selwyn Edge.

Wikipedia: You can view the life story of Selwyn Edge on his Wikipedia page.

Wikipedia: George Bennett Cup 1902.

Birthplace of Speed - a webpage about the Napier motor vehicle.