Harry West

Harry Thomas West (1913 - 1991)

 

Harry West was born on 30th January 1913, and started with the company as a junior clerk in 1930 at the age of 15.  He had had two shorts periods of employment prior to his joining us, 3 months as a temporary with Brooks Jenkins & Co, and 3 months with Turnbull Bros Ltd in Lime Street Square, where he was made redundant due to ‘reductions in staff owing to Indian Export falling off'.

 

A day before the British declaration of war against Nazi Germany on 3rd September 1939, Harry joined the Police War Reserve, although it seems that he later transferred to the Royal Navy.  He re-joined us in October 1946 after being demobbed.

 

He became Butchers Sundries Manager at 6&7 West Smithfield in 1951, taking over from Mr. Freebody when he retired.

 

Harry is shown on the right in a photograph taken around 1960 for the launch of the Reflectomatic scale.  The picture was taken in the showroom at 6&7 West Smithfield. In the background meat lorries can be seen backed up to the Meat Market itself, while the model posing as a typical young housewife of the time is wearing gloves!

 

In 1962 the Company sold the Butchers Sundries business to Messrs. Glenhurst Ltd, and Harry transferred to them, receiving a Silver Tea Service in recognition of his 32 years of service.

 

Harry retired from Glenhurst in 1978 at age 65, and died at his home in Rayleigh in 1991.