Wolverhampton's Blue Plaques
 Cleveland Road, 
Lichfield Street (Bilston)
Commemorating:

Forder & Company Limited

Sponsored by:

S.J. Dixon & Son Limited

Location:

Dixon's Building, Cleveland Road.
Forder carriage builders was founded in1864 by Frederick Forder and a Mr. Traves, and had premises on the corner of Garrick Street and Bilston Street. Traves retired from the business in 1866, which then became known as Forder and Company. They were very successful and specialised in making hansom cabs for the London market. In 1880, they acquired the Tudor works in Cleveland Road to provide much needed increased floor space. Only three years after the 1882 opening, plans were drawn up for further expansion. The new extension forms the present Dixon's building. It has not been established when the new extension was first used, but Forder's occupation did not last long. In 1893 the company was in financial difficulties and on 1st December the building was sold to Thomas Reade.
Commemorating:

John Freeman, author

Sponsored by:

The Black Country Society

Location:

The former Bilston Town Hall, Lichfield Street, Bilston.
The photograph shows the former Town Hall. The plaque can be seen on the front of the building.
Commemorating:

Sir Henry Newbolt, poet.

Sponsored by:

Wolverhampton M.B.C.

Location:

On the side of Barclays Bank, Lichfield Street, Bilston.
Henry Newbolt was born in Bilston. His father was vicar of St. Mary's Church, but died when Henry was only 4 years old. The family then moved to Walsall and at the age of 10 Henry was sent to a boarding school in Lincolnshire, from  where he won a scholarship to Clifton College. He later went to Corpus Christi College, Oxford and began a legal career, practising at the Chancery Bar from 1887 to 1889.
He became well known in literary circles and is probably best remembered for his sea songs, Admirals All, which includes Drake's Drum ("Drake he's in his hammock and a thousand miles away"); and Vitai Lampada ("There's a breathless hush in the close tonight ... Play up! play up! and play the
game!").

 He was knighted in 1915.