Grandson of Royal Enfield founder goes back in time at showcase - The Redditch Standard

Grandson of Royal Enfield founder goes back in time at showcase

Redditch Editorial 20th Jul, 2019   0

A VIP guest with a rich Royal Enfield background has visited the marque’s Kingfisher Shopping Centre showcase.

John Smith is the grandson of Gilbert Smith whose father RW Smith was one of the founders of Royal Enfield in Redditch.

Thousands of people have visited the showcase over the last six weeks, all keen to celebrate the iconic motorcycle brand and John didn’t want to miss out.

As well as meeting borough Mayor Councillor Roger Bennett and Royal Enfield marketing manager Mark Spiller, he took a trip down memory lane with local author Anne Bradford who has interviewed many former factory workers.




“I can’t believe how much of Royal Enfield’s history was captured in such a small space,” said John.

“It was absolutely awe-inspiring to think, back then, my great-grandfather had a head full of ideas which he then had to engineer himself, as there was no way of sending it off to be manufactured, and now it is an international brand.


“My grandfather died when I was in my twenties so unfortunately I was too young to ask him the right questions although I remember having a Royal Enfield lawnmower!

“I remember him telling me he lent his college friend a Royal Enfield bike who took it to the Isle of Man to race – and came 6th!

“He never got the bike back though.”

He added: “My mum and dad were invited to the 100th anniversary of the Needles Factory in Redditch back in the day, so I was really pleased to visit the showcase and keeping my own links with the town.”

The showcase was the result of a partnership between the borough council and Royal Enfield, with the local authority keen to maintain links.

“We couldn’t believe how popular the showcase was throughout the whole six week period with people dropping in and sharing their memories,” said Council Leader Matt Dormer.

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