The History of Millard & Co.

Thomas Millard was born in Tetbury, Glos.. in 1870 and his wife, Kathleen,  was born in Painswick, Glos. in 1872. Her family were influential in the West of England Woollen Industry. They had three sons, Lesna, Theo, Clinton and one daughter, Clarice.

In the 1890s Thomas had two shops, one in Frome and one in Trowbridge where he also produced his own cycles called The Pacer.

In 1908 Thomas moved to Guernsey with his family and began trading. It was hoped that the eldest son Lesna, born in 1897, would eventually be in charge of the business, but he died in the 1914-1918 war.

Thomas Millard died in 1939. In his time he served the island as a deputy. He was responsible for the introduction of reflectors on the rear of cycles and yellow lines at road junctions.

Theo Millard was born in 1909 in Trowbridge Wilts, took over as Manager in 1936 with his brother, Clinton Millard, born 1903, being Chief Mechanic.

Prior to the Germans occupying the island in the Second World War Thomas's sons Theo and Clinton, moved to England with their families. Theo first worked as a draftsman at Jowett and then moved to AVRO where he worked on the development of the Lancaster bomber and with the design of the dropping mechanism of the bouncing bomb.

Before the war Clinton Millard was one of the leading motorcycle racers in the Channel Islands and at one time in the 1920's attained a record speed over a measured mile of  83mph. The timekeepers did not believe their readings until he repeated the run a second time. In 1940 he left the Island,  having been trained to service their cars, he joined the Rover factory in Coventry. When the factory was bombed out the works were moved to Barnoldswick in Lancashire where Clinton worked throughout the War on aeroplane engines.

Lesna Millard (Theo's Son) took over as Managing Director in 1963 and retired in 1997. Lesna died in 2003.

The Business continued to flourish with John Millard (Lesna's Brother) as Managing Director until his retirement in 2002. John died in November 2008.

Tim Millard, who is the grandson of Clinton Millard, joined the Firm as a junior in 1973 and is the present Managing Director.

HISTORY OF THE BUSINESS

Millards in Guernsey was founded in 1908 when a workshop opened in Bosq Lane. In 1909 a branch was opened in Jersey.

B.S.A. motorcycles were first imported in early 1917.

Maxwell cars from the USA were imported in the early 1920s and sold in quantities similar to Ford cars. In the 1930s agencies were held for Clenoe., Willeys, Overland Crossley, Citroen, Fiat, Jowett and Rover. Guy trucks were sold to the Channel Islands Granite Company in Alderney.

In the 1920s the premises in Victoria Road, Guernsey were purchased as well as the Robin Hood garage in Jersey.

In the years from 1930 to 1940 used cars were imported from England and sold in quantity.

During the German Occupation of the Island in World War II forty cars were lost and damage done to the premises at 29 Victoria Road. This was the car garage which had a stove enamelling plant at the very top of the building. All the equipment in the garage was destroyed by the Germans before they left. In 9-11 Victoria Road (where we are today) there was a staging at the rear of the showroom where bikes were displayed. Under this the entire stock of car and truck tyres were hidden and remained undiscovered throughout the war, they were sold in 1946.

After the war the only agency left was Jowett Javelin but this was very expensive compared to Rover etc. This made car sales difficult, especially when premises for the "New Image" car trade were unsuitable. The shop in Jersey was sold to create capital to help the firm's recovery in Guernsey.

In 1946 Millards became a "Limited Company" and a deal involving 75 B.S.A. M20 side valve ex-war department machines was arranged to the trade, twenty-five machines to each dealer. They were sold immediately. 500 Armstrongs were imported and the new Sunbeams produced limited sales.

At this time our rival firm, Greens, were advertising Enfield motorcycles as "Built like a Bullet" - Millards advertised B.S.A. as "Built like a Motorcycle".

In the 1960's the former car garage at 29 Victoria Road was sold to the Earl of Jersey to provide capital needed for the modernisation of 9-11 Victoria Road which included the removal of a wall separating the main showroom from the rest of the building. B.S.A. sales rose from 50 to 500 a year and, eventually peaked at 800. In 1965 the annual sale of bicycles for hire was arranged with Jackson's of Sark.

1969/70 saw the collapse of B.S.A.  Puch moped were sold in large numbers for two years. This was due to the very successful "24 Hour Non-stop Reliability Trial" round the island, our stand at the "Trade Show", and the current fuel shortage.

1970 saw the closure of some of our competitors: Taylors of St Martins, Domailles in the Bordage,  and Greens Motorcycles and Cycles. No premises were bought but valuable stock and agencies were obtained. Suzuki and Lambretta were made available by the closure of Greens and an arrangement was made to import both of these makes for both Guernsey and Jersey. Vespa scooters were made available through the closure of Taylor's.

1973 Tim Millard joined the firm

1986 The CZ agency was obtained and held until 1992.

1989 Parted with Suzuki & obtained the Vespa (Piaggio) agency which is still held to the present day. Enfield were imported in this year, which brought back "Happy" memories for mechanic Charlie Pratt who may the years preserve worked on the originals at Greens before joining Millard & Co Ltd. Continued to sell Enfield's in Guernsey & Jersey until 1991.

1997 Lesna Millard retired and John Millard became managing director.

2001 John Millard retired and Tim Millard became managing director.

2000 Sophie Millard joined as a Saturday worker and continues working to the present day including during her student holidays.

2004 Clinton Millard joined also as a Saturday worker and continues to this date.

2008 Agencies held : Piaggio, Vespa, Gilera Motorcycles & Scooters,Hy-Moto products, Raleigh & DiamondBack Cycles.

July 5th 2008 in celebration of their 100 years in Guernsey Millards held the largest bike show in Guernsey. 200 vintage & classic machines lined Victoria road  basking in the sunshine. Well over 2000 people attended the event which was proceeded by a Bike cavalcade from Bulwer avenue to Trinity square, with up to 400 motorcycles taking part. Special guests taking part in the event were Michael Rutter & John McGuiness  British Super Bike Stars. Trophies were awarded to the most popular machines in various classes

2009 Aprilia agency obtained.  A new cycle showroom was built upstairs retaining many features of the old building and a completely new showroom for motorcycles was constructed down stairs. The wall between the showroom and the motorcycle stores was removed to give a more open and modern feel. A new floor was laid which immediately made the area have a better feel. New lighting & Spada racking for clothing & helmets complete the new modern look.

2011 Fred Giles reaches retirement age but continues to work two days a week. Mike Strachen takes Freds place in the parts & accessoiries department.