Harry (Henry) Mulliner (Coach Builder) – Chapel Street, Leamington Spa

Harry Mulliner was born in Northampton, son of Francis and Jane Mulliner who had a coach building business in Bridge Street, Northampton.

In 1871 Harry and his brother Robert Bouverie Mulliner had a coach building business in Chapel Street, Leamington Spa, employing 42 men and 17 boys.

In 1854 Robert has moved to Liverpool and started his own coach building business.

In 1869 they are credited with improving the hanging method of the Broughams carriage.

In 1887 there was a Legal case concerning Mulliner and Co and the Birmingham Cab Co.

Harry (Henry) died in 1887 and was buried in Leamington Priors.

In 1888 the company is wound up with Herbert H. Mulliner as chairman at the time. Robert assumed all of the debts.

Descendants of the family went on to make bodies for Daimler and Rolls-Royce in Derby.

In 1909 John Croall & Sons of Edinburgh takes the controlling interest in H. J. Mulliner & Co.

John Croall then sold that controlling interest to Rolls-Royce in July 1959 and Rolls-Royce then merged it with Park Ward which they had owned since 1939 forming Mulliner-Park Ward in 1961.

Photo, Horse and Broughams carriage ref: Gail Thornton