Jane Yeomans contacted the RLHS and donated a number of photographs that have been handed down the family from her Grandmother. Her grandmother was Gertie East and is in a couple of the photos. Luckily she had annotated the photographs with the names of her work mates.
To these photos we have added a few more from our archives to give a brief summary of British Needles.
British Needle -
British Needle Co. of Argosy Works, Victoria Street,Redditch, Worcestershire. Telephone: Redditch 119. Cables: "Argosy, Redditch"
The Company was founded in 1918 by Mr Frank Hawker, who died in April 1938. Argosy works was just behind Church Green East where the car parks are today.
Frank Hawker b. 1868 at Birmingham; s. of the late Thomas and Caroline Hawker; M.B.E., 1918. Educ.: Gower Street School and Private. Founder of Frank Hawker Carpathian Silver Co., Ltd., 1886, the largest makers of plated waiters and trays in the world, and do a trade in nearly all foreign markets, most of which the founder has visited; founder of the British Needle Co., Ltd., Redditch; Hon. Consul for Turkey; Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Needlemakers, London. Entered the Birmingham City Council Nov., 1911; retired 1921; served for ten years on the Electric Supply Committee and the Baths Committee (chairman for four years), and several special committees during the war; an Overseer for Hands worth for many years; a Governor of Handsworth Grammar School for over twenty years and at one time chairman; has served on Handsworth Parochial Charities Committee from its foundation; m. Nora, d. of James Rollason, April 15th, 1890; one d. Recreation: Salmon fishing. Addresses: (Private), Devonshire Road, Handsworth Wood; (Business), Frank Hawker Carpathian Silver Co., Ltd., Argosy Works, Spencer Street, Birmingham, 18.
From Graces Guide
Individual images in this collection can be made available to members upon request for inclusion in their research. Any images used remain the property of the Redditch Local History Society and their source should be acknowledged in any published work.
Contact the Society Archivist for more details archivist@rlhs.org.uk
Images in this collection are copyright Redditch Local History Society