Springfield Place, Harnell Lane, Coventry.
1911 Late in 1911, a machine appeared that was different from the rest. It had a pressure lubrication system with a gear pump submerged in the oil in the sump. Both main bearings, the big end and the gudgeon pin were force fed in an era when most still relied on a hand pump, sight bowl and drip feed. Other 496cc engine details were a separate cylinder head, both it and the barrel being held by three long bolts, and a front-mounted magneto. It also had Druid forks and direct drive by belt or optionally a Sturmey Archer hub gear with clutch.
The machine carried on in that form until 1913.
The founders of Wartnaby & Draper were William Thomas Wade Wartnaby (1885-1925) of Market Harbourough and Alick Darby Draper (b.1884-1981) of Hemel Hempstead.
Both attended Rugby School around 1900, and during their tenure developed an interest in engineering. Harry Ricardo was also a pupil at Rugby School in those years.
During the war William Wartnaby served in the Royal Navy until August 1916, he then transferred to the Royal Flying Corps. He died in 1925.
Alick Draper served with the Army Service Corps and attained the rank of Captain. In 1928 he applied for admission to The Institution of Automobile Engineers; the proposer for his application was Harry Ricardo.
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