Not much to report, but I had a quick look in the
Leicester University collection of historic directories and found that in the Kelly's Directory of Wiltshire for 1911, there's an entry in the Trade section which just says
Rye, Arthur Joseph, Ironmonger, see Edwards Bays and Rye
Following the cross reference gives us
Edwards Bays and Rye, Ironmongers, 22 Wood Street and 40 Faringdon Street
which isn't much to go on but does at least confirm that it's the same Rye and that they were there at that date.
Having done that, I then did what I should have done first and looked at the work of two much more careful researchers.
Jane Rees, in Planemakers 4th edition, lists Rye, Arthur, Joseph & Co as "a continuation of Edwards, Bays & Rye" with dates of 1905-15 and images of the Rye & Co name on two planes.
Under Edwards, Bays & Rye she gives an earlier company of Edwards & Suter in 1867 then Edwards, Bays & Rye from 1889-1898 at 22 Wood St and 40 Farringdon St., New Swindon. She says
"Ironmongers. By 1905 the name had changed to Arthur Joseph Rye & Co. New Swindon was the name given to the town that grew around the Great Western Railway Works that was built in the 1840s. It amalgamated with the older area in 1900 and the name "New" was dropped. "
Simon Barley, in BSSM, has this:
Edwards, Bays & Rye
Ironmongers, founded in 1855 as Edwards & Thompson in Wood Street, and passing through several differently named partnerships becoming the above by 1903 and splitting into Bays & Co and Rye & Co by 1911. The name Rye also occurs in the partnership of Rye & Blackwell but no connection has been established
I can add the information that much of the Great Western works has been demolished but some buildings remain to give an impression of the size and scope of them. Most of them are now occupied by discount shopping outlets, but there is a small "Steam" museum which is well worth a visit.
Here's a trade receipt on Flickr - scroll down for more on Bays and Rye and what became of the premises.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/swindonlo ... ist-6TLBKY
And Geoff, welcome to the Haven!
