When the depression of the early 30s started all 3 sons were sacked, or in today's terms made redundant. The eldest of the 3 sons set up on his own. My father, Earnest - the youngest, got a job selling encyclopedias whilst the middle son Harry got a job playing piano in a music shop playing sheet music for customers.

In about 1937, my father joined Alan in the business he had established on his own. With the advent of World War II, Alan decided to work from home mostly making lockets which he sold through a contact to US servicemen based in Britain.

My father now owned the business as sole proprietor and at the end of WWII employed his brother Harry and another employee named George, who had been employed prior to the war.

At the time, the company premises comprised the back yard of number 41 Warstone Lane later moving to two front rooms at the same address.

About 1950, the business moved to 46 Warstone Lane, the building being owned by WS Saunders Ltd. We however, occupied the basement. This is where I, Brian, joined the firm in 1954, making 4; my father, my uncle, Harry and George.

The firm was made a partnership about 1960 and renamed A Gleadall & Son.

My father retired in 1971 and the firm moved to 4 Hylton Street.

In 1973 we moved again to custom built flatted factory called the Hockley Centre later to be renamed the Big Peg.

My son Nigel joined the firm in 1973 and I retired in 2000, the company becoming limited in 2001.

We now go into a second century and a fourth generation to run A Gleadall & Son Ltd.