Category Archives: Birmingham

The beautiful game at Fairlight, Edgbaston.

Posted on December 2, 2019 by admin

Here’s an article from the Birmingham Post of 3rd June 2000 telling the story of Gem and Perera. Since then it has been established that Gem and Perera’s game dates from as early as 1859, not 1865 and their Leamington … Continue reading →

Posted in Ampton Road, Birmingham, Harry Gem, History of Lawn Tennis, Perera | Leave a comment

Gem’s restored grave unveiled

Posted on July 5, 2019 by admin

The restored grave of Harry Gem, Victorian lawn tennis pioneer, was unveiled on Wednesday, 26th June 2019, by Ann Jones, who this year celebrates the golden anniversary of her winning the singles title at the Wimbledon Championships in 1969. Guests … Continue reading →

Posted in Birmingham, Edgbaston Archery & Lawn Tennis Society, Grave - Harry Gem, Harry Gem, Leamington Club, Obituary - Harry Gem, Uncategorized, Warstone Lane Cemetery | Leave a comment

Harry’s Aunt Helen

Posted on October 22, 2018 by admin

    Harry’s father William Gem had twin sisters: Helen Maria and Mary born in 1795. Helen died in January 1873 and Mary in March of the same year. Helen’s grave may be found in Warstone Lane Cemetery, Jewellery Quarter, Birmngham … Continue reading →

Posted in Birmingham, Grave - Harry Gem, Harry Gem, History of Lawn Tennis, Obituary - Harry Gem, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Grave restoration – step three

Posted on October 20, 2018 by admin

The York stone plinth is now in position. All that remains now is to build the superstructure, once the original ledger stone has been engraved with Ellen Maria’s details and the side panel with the dedication to Gem and Perera … Continue reading →

Posted in Birmingham, Grave - Harry Gem, Harry Gem, History of Lawn Tennis, Obituary - Harry Gem, Perera, Uncategorized, Warstone Lane Cemetery | Leave a comment

Grave restoration – step two

Posted on October 13, 2018 by admin

Footings in ready for constructuon of the new grave architecure once work is completed in the workshop.

Posted in Birmingham, Grave - Harry Gem, Harry Gem, History of Lawn Tennis, Obituary - Harry Gem, Warstone Lane Cemetery | Leave a comment

Grave restoration – step one

Posted on October 10, 2018 by admin

On the morning of Tuesday 9th October the team from Midland Conservation lifted the ledger stone and removed it off site. The details of Ellen Maria, Thomas Henry Gem’s wife, are to be engraved on the stone as she is … Continue reading →

Posted in Birmingham, Grave - Harry Gem, Harry Gem, History of Lawn Tennis, Obituary - Harry Gem, Uncategorized, Warstone Lane Cemetery | Leave a comment

Grave restoraton commissioned

Posted on September 19, 2018 by admin

At long last, with sufficient monies raised, the restoration work has been commissioned via Midland Conservation Limited. A site meeting was held recently and materials ordered. The ledger stone should be lifted early in October and taken into the workshop … Continue reading →

Posted in Birmingham, Grave - Harry Gem, Harry Gem, Obituary - Harry Gem, Warstone Lane Cemetery | Leave a comment