Why is a small pub in Warwickshire named “The Tipperary Inn”?

The story begins when Harry Williams was born in Erdington on 23^rd September 1873.  When young Harry fell down the cellar steps of the family home breaking both legs, the injury left him severely disabled.  Harry spent most of his childhood studying, music, poetry, song writing and playing the mandolin and piano.

Around 1904 Harry and his family moved to “The Plough, Meer End” where his father became the licensee.  Whilst at The Plough Harry continued to write his songs.  Many of the songs were written in partnership with Jack Judge who performed at The Malt Shovel in Oldbury, where Harry’s brother Benjamin was the licensee.

It’s a long way to Tipperary was written in 1909 and published in 1912 and became famous during the Great War 1914 – 1918. The royalties from this and other songs made Harry a wealthy man, which enabled him to buy The Plough, the cottage and surrounding land for his parents.

Harry also wrote a Funeral Pose for King Edward VII, which was requested by the Queen to commemorate the King’s life. When Harry died in 1924 at The Plough, he was buried alongside his parents in Temple Balsall. The inscription on his headstone is dedicated to “The author of it’s a long way to Tipperary”.

In Honour of Harry’s most famous song the pub became known as: The Tipperary Inn.