A.W. Gamage Ltd.
High Holborn, London EC 1.

From Watch Repair to Radios and Railway Rides: The Rise and Fall of Gamages

Gamages began in 1879 as a humble watch repair shop run by Arthur Walter Gamage and Frank Spain. It rapidly blossomed into a colossal department store, rivalling New York's giants and proudly proclaiming itself "The People's Popular Emporium."

Gamages began in 1879 as a humble watch repair shop run by Arthur Walter Gamage (c1855-1930) and Frank Spain. It rapidly blossomed into a colossal department store, rivaling New York's giants and proudly proclaiming itself "The People's Popular Emporium."

Beyond the standard fare of clothing and housewares, Gamages boasted dedicated departments for cycling, wireless (radio), and motoring, with a particularly renowned toy section. Generous spending on promotions, advertising, and events, coupled with strong buying power and the novelty of a toy department railroad, solidified Gamages' place in the hearts of shoppers.

Pioneering Wireless and "G QTH" ^*

Gamages played a pivotal role in the early days of amateur radio. In 1913, they published the "Directory of Amateur Wireless Stations," likely the first-ever "G QTH" list, identifying 250 licensed British stations. This document included callsigns like ABX-ZUX (operated by F. Bennett of Highgate using a ⅝-inch spark coil) and D. T. Wright's Birmingham station, powered by 8 watts from accumulators and a ½-inch spark coil.[1]

Gamages also actively sold radio components and sets, later expanding to post-WWII surplus communications equipment.[2]

Closure and Legacy

Despite its success, Gamages faced its demise in 1972. Acquired in 1970 by Sterling Guarantee Trust with redevelopment plans, the vision of a smaller Gamages alongside a new Oxford Street branch never materialized.
The original store sadly closed its doors, leaving behind a legacy of innovation, entertainment, and a pioneering spirit in the world of wireless communication.

* In amateur radio, "G QTH" is a short code question that translates to "Where is your location?". It's derived from the General Service Q-codes used in radio communication.

Here's the breakdown:

• G: This indicates a geographical question.
• Q: This letter marks the beginning of a Q-code.
• TH: These letters stand for "transmitting headquarters," which implies asking for the location of the station currently transmitting.

So, when you hear someone on the air say "G QTH," they're simply asking the other station to provide their current location. The response would follow the format "My QTH is..." and then state the location information.

[1] Shortwave Magazine Jul 1950 1947, Page 359.
[2] Practical Wireless Jan 1947,  Page 61.