My grandfather (1877 - 1950)
William Henry's childhood sounds far from idyllic: from the age of eight, he was expected to help in the shop after school on weekdays, or at the firm's box-making premises, until 11.30 p.m., and all day Saturday (including helping his brother John dismantle and bring home the Kayes market stall...after the shop closed at 11 p.m.). At the age of 12, he was taken out of school, and sent to manage the Kayes shop in Scarborough, on a salary of 1 shilling per week. He made a success of this, but after 18 months in Scarborough, decided it was time to "...learn a real trade and start work in earnest" ! So he came back to Hull to work as an apprentice with his father...on the same generous salary.
Anyway, judging from this photo, his apparently hard childhood did not prevent him from turning out as a handsome young man - albeit a young man with a look of steely determination.
Anyway, judging from this photo, his apparently hard childhood did not prevent him from turning out as a handsome young man - albeit a young man with a look of steely determination.
It seems that William Henry never gave up the hard working habits instilled in him from an early age, and he always insisted on spending a significant part of his time in the workshop - as in this photo of him repairing scissors. When he did eventually retire, he went on a round the world cruise on a P&O liner (the Queen Mary?) with his wife Minnie to visit relatives in Australia. On his return to Hull, bored, he started writing his biography, but died before he got much further than his teenage years.
>> Click here to read William Henry's fascinating account of his early life....
>> Click here to read William Henry's fascinating account of his early life....