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Search on to reunite driving licences dating back to 1935 found in Rhode Street car park in Chatham with family of the driver

14:00, 07 September 2024

updated: 14:18, 13 September 2024

A hotel manager got more than he bargained for when he strolled through town to get a haircut.

As Jonny Siberry walked through a car park in Chatham something caught his eye a little out of the ordinary - three driving licences dating back to 1935 perched on top of a traffic bollard.

Jonny Siberry with the old driving licences dating back to 1935 and found in a Chatham car park
Jonny Siberry with the old driving licences dating back to 1935 and found in a Chatham car park

The 53-year-old dad carried on not wishing to miss his appointment, but just a few paces ahead decided to return to retrieve the lost property.

He picked up the documents which were all in the name of Harry Russell Pitt Esq with several different addresses in north Kent, southeast London and the Midlands.

Jonny, a hotelier who lives in Chatham, has been on a mission to reunite the licences with a member of Mr Pitt’s family ever since.

He said: “I suddenly thought they belong to somebody’s father or grandfather and would be of such value to them — not financial I imagine, but sentimental.

“I did not want somebody to just take them and throw them in bushes, that would be such a shame.”

The driving licences found in a Chatham car park
The driving licences found in a Chatham car park

Since his find on the afternoon of Monday, July 15 at the Rhode Street car park, he has not had anyone come forward despite an appeal on social media and radio.

Jonny is not giving up hope and is asking for KentOnline to help him out.

The licences are dated from 1935 to 1949 with addresses given in Gravesend, Bexley, Penge and Wolverhampton.

Jonny said Mr Pitt appears to have moved around a lot in a fairly short space of time.

He said: “On two he has got stickers indicating speeding tickets.”

Speeding conviction in July 1938 cost Harry Russell Pitt Esq dearly
Speeding conviction in July 1938 cost Harry Russell Pitt Esq dearly

In 1937 he was fined 15 shillings and the following year, 10 shillings with three shillings and six pennies costs for exceeding the permitted limit.

In the 1930s cars were considered a luxury item and only 10% of households owned a vehicle.

The first driving licence was issued in 1903 under the Motor Car Act and cost 20 shillings, the equivalent of £1 a year.

Driving licence valid from June 1939 to June 1940 found in Chatham car park
Driving licence valid from June 1939 to June 1940 found in Chatham car park

From a simple folded bit of card, it turned into the credit card photo format in 1998.

Today’s driving licence is valid for 10 years and is issued by the DVLA .

If you have any information contact our newsroom on 01634 227803 or email medwaymessenger@thekmgroup.co.uk

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