'Happy'

My parents tell me about a chap that used to be precinct called Happy. Well they used to know him as happy, they would say "Happy" out load he would say "HAPPY" He used to wear white gloves and a white scarf and some kind of military uniform maybe a military hat and trench coat. This would be in the late 1960`s he would be a quite tall chap. Dose anybody remember him?

If you look at the thread titled "Who remembers Little Jimmy?", I have just asked the same question the other day regarding Happy...

I remember Happy very well, I used to see him in Lockhurst Lane, where I worked. He always wore long white gloves and a hat. He would often cross people over the road.This would be in the late 60s.

Happy used to wear a Salvation Army uniform and white gloves. He pushed a hand wooden cart and would stop at road junctions, stand in the middle of the road and start to direct the traffic. Perhaps in earlier life he had been a point duty policeman. I remember a magnificent incident with Happy directing the traffic at Hearsall Common. I was sitting at the front of the upper saloon on a No 13 travelling East along Broad Lane when everything ground to a halt. There was Happy, his hand cart in the middle of the road, directing the traffic. "Come on" he was shouting. The trouble was that half of the traffic was obeying his directions and the other half was ignoring them. Eventually we managed to get past into Hearsall Lane. We all had a good laugh, but I suspect that some drivers may have sworn a little.

The Salvation Army hostel where I think Happy lived was visible my back garden in Gosford Street and Happy was a regular sight in nearby Whitefriars Street, Jordan Well and Much Park Street. He was always very popular with the local kids.

Hi, I'm Sally and I was born in Cov 1946 and lived at 37 Court 16/17 house Spon St. We knew Mr Happy as Mr Sunbeam Happy! This was because he would always repeat to any hello, sunbeam happy, sunbeam happy! He would carry the flag for the Salvation Army band, and we as children would march alonside him down Spon St, as the years went by he became known as Mr Happy! Wonderful to know he's not forgotten, what a character! Just like old Coventry he had a big heart, and my heart never left Spon St and its wonderful memories.

In case you missed it, there's a photo on this link

I remember him from the 70s. He was a lovely guy, who if you wished him 'good afternoon' would have a smile which lit up the world. A friend of mine, whose parents ran Jordan Well Post Office, knew him quite well, although I never got to have a proper conversation with him.

As I recall, he died in The Leighton Hospital, Crewe If anyone can recall his name, I'll check this out

For those who don't already know, "Jordan Well Post Office" wasn't actually in Jordan Well. For most of the 20th Century it was sited at various addresses in Gosford Street. As a youngster living in Gosford Street at the time it used to confuse the hell out of me. It was always called "Jordan Well Post Office" though regardless of where it was sited.

I have been reading with interest about 'Happy'. Around about 1995 my neighbour who used to care for people with mental health problems in her home, cared for a gentleman, from Coventry, who fits the descriptions of 'Happy'. (Although I have to say he was not a happy person and sometimes could be a little aggessive.) His name was Robert McNeali. Robert originated from Scotland but lived in Coventry for many years. He was tall and slim and used to wear white gloves, a scarf, trilby hat and an overcoat. In Bedworth Robert was regularly seen crossing people over the road and directing the traffic, often causing traffic congestion. Hence, he was well known to the police who frequently used to take him home in a police car. As soon as he got home he used to wash his gloves, he kept them spotlessly white. We used to call him 'The professor' as he said he was an inventor. Robert often talked about going back to Scotland, so when he died approximately 14 years ago, my neighbours arranged for his ashes to be taken, by a local coach driver, and scattered in his beloved Scotland. Perhaps Robert was one of the people seen directing traffic in Coventry.

I don't think that was Happy. He was about in the 1950s. There may, of course, be a syndrome that involves white gloves and directing traffic from which they both suffered.

Definitely not our "Happy" Tricia: Very short, always amiable, got on especially well with children. I think however some of the other sightings I've read about may be the man you refer to.

I agree dutchman its definitely not 'your' Happy. But as you say, from some of the other sightings, Robert might be the gentleman referred to.

I certainly remember 'Happy' around the city centre in the 60s. He was always wearing his cap and white gloves, asking kids 'Are you happy', presumably hence the name. I recall him with his Benley's sandwich boards too. Benley's was a cheap shop in Warwick Row where the Litten Tree is now. My father took me there to see Santa, probably in about 1960ish. There was Happy, dressed as Santa! I remember pulling a parcel out of the lucky dip, and he said 'Don't have that, it's rubbish!' and told me to pick a different one. Priceless!