Godiva Engineering Co
1890 Founded by George Bates and Walter Payne. Later joined in the business by his brothers George Payne, Frederick Payne and Matthew Payne. Also see Payne and Bates
1893 An oil engine was introduced
1896 Claimed 400 gas engines had been built
1897 George Bates (his wife's uncle) joined the company
1898 July. Legal action. Godiva Engineering Co v. Reed.[1]
1898 Started production of motor vehicles
1901 Sale of a nearly-new 7-hp oil engine made by the Godiva Engineering Co[2]
1902 The company was wound up after George Bates died
1932 The company meeting at De Montford Road, Reading, put the company into liquidation[3]
Walter Payne continued producing petrol and gas engines until 1934
The later company
1956 Centreless grinding capacity advertised by Godiva Engineering Co, of All Saints Lane, Coventry[4]
1961 Specialised in mass production of small components using automatic machinery. Acquired by Keelavite Hydraulics, of Coventry[5]
1975 Company name removed from the register[6]