The town of Rugby is better known by most people for being the place where the code of 'Rugby Union' football was established in 1823 at Rugby School also known by many for producing many eminent persons and scholars, some of which I will mention later in this page. In the Celtic era "Drochebrig" (Rugby) was mentioned as being on the south bank of the Avon River. Later in time 'Rocheberie' then 'Rokeby' were written in the Doomsday Book in the 11th century. Rugby was given the title of a 'Market Town' because then and still today has an open market at least 3 or 4 times a week where local produce can be bought and sold.

During the time of the Roman occupation, several roads were built by the Romans to enable them to move troops and battle equipment quickly from one place to another. The better known of these roads were the Watling Street and the Fosse Way being built out of mainly cobble stones, some of which are still in evidence to this day. Rugby was located very close to these roads and late also the 'Oxford Canal' which runs directly through the area. The canal was built around the 1770's and formed a network of canal via which all kinds of freight and commodities were transported throughout England. It was the fore-runner of our modern highways.

Present day Rugby has a population of around

 85,000 and since the turn of the new century has

 received a large influx of settlers from many different

 cultures. The market place can be seen on the left of

 the picture alongside the old Clock Tower as it is

 known. Rugby is at the centre of a hub in this area of

 the county of Warwickshire.

Most of my family descendents lived in or around Rugby in out-lying villages, hamlets and farming areas, in those early days folks tended not to wander to far away from their roots.

Rugby was not always the focal of attention in earlier times because more strategically positioned was a small hamlet named Dunchurch which became an important stagecoach stop on the route from London to Holyhead on the west coast. 40 coaches a day came through the village and it was an important venue to change the horse teams and feed the passengers on board the coaches. many of the old buildings in Dunchurch are still in use but these days with the modern highway systems it has reverted back to its sleepy backwater existence.

Today the modern high speed highways the M1, M6, M45 and the A5 run close to Dunchurch and Rugby. 

Another very important landmark for the town has been the railway system that been in existence. Rugby was always a major stop on the London Midland & Scottish railway which ran between Euston Station in London and Glasgow in Scotland. Crossing the LMS line at Rugby via a large suspension type bridge was the LNER (London North Eastern railway. With the nationalisation of the rail system into British Rail came the resultant remodelling of the British rail system, the LNER ceased to exist. My father was a senior locomotive driver with the LMS then British Rail for many years. It supported a large number of men and their families.

Other well known identities to make their mark here were William Webb 1807-1872 who was the man who actually invented Rugby Union Football. 

In 1836 - 1920 Norman Lockyer lived in Rugby, he was credited with inventing the gas Helium. 

The well written poet Rupert Brooke 1887-1915 was also born and lived in Rugby.

Sir Frank Whittle who built the first Jet engine in 1937 was born and lived in Rugby

Quite close to Rugby also  remains of a Roman settlement described as from the Tripontium era has yielded many remarkable artifacts and remains. 

The Government site here in Rugby houses the 'Atomic Clock' and transmits the MSF time signal from the huge antenna farm.

The infamous 'Guy Fawkes' who is widely remembered for his attempt to blow-up the House of Parliament in London, actually had a house and lived there for a time. 

Finally Rugby should be known for housing the largest cement factory in the world, namely Rugby Portland Cement which again creates a large amount of jobs for the area.