ROBERT WILLIAM BIRTWHISTLE

Robert W Birtwhistle, Salesman and Sales Manager with Holdsworth 1924 - 1951

Robert Birtwhistle, in 1931

Lily Birtwhistle, in 1931

Robert W Birtwhistle, born Halifax UK on 8 January 1900, married to Lily Noble, born Halifax UK on 26 February 1900.
Robert joined John Holdsworth & Co Ltd in 1924 and his career progressed through being a Sales representative in 1927, eventually rising to the position of Sales Manager from 1937 to 1951, and he was responsible for buying the German looms in the 30's in addition to his duties as Sales Manager, hence his many visits to Nazi Germany between 1932 and 1938. He wrote lengthy reports on the factories he visited, noting how production areas changed between each visit. It was obvious to Robert that areas were being set aside for munitions and weapons production and these reports were sent to the Defence Ministry in London.
During the war as a Special Constable, he was in charge of the Air Raid Protection unit at Shaw Lodge Mills.
In 1936 he was responsible for landing the contract with Cunard to supply moquette for the Queen Mary liner and represented John Holdsworth & Co Ltd at the official launch ceremony in Southampton.
According to Robert's agreement made with the company on 27 January 1927, his position at that time was "Assistant Salesman" with an annual remuneration of 200 pounds sterling.
By 1937, then in the position of sales manager, this figure had risen to 650 plus a one percent commission of the company's net profit.
Below, are a number of documents and artefacts that have been preserved by Robert's son John Birtwhistle, who is still resident with his wife Olan, close to the business in Halifax.
We are very grateful for their contribution.

Fire Service Badge

Güsken, 1935
Name Card of H. Gerlach from Jean Güsken, Dülken (see report)

Leipzig, 1935

Leipzig, 1935, The story behind the card

Robert W Birtwhistle writes "Sunday noon during my 1935 visit to Leipzig (alone) I was walking across this
square (right to left) when a Nazi band playing in front of the theatre struck up with the Natzi National Anthem.
Everybody sprang to salute but RWB - who was instantly surrounded by six S.S. men brandishing truncheons.
RWB took off his bowler hat, placed it on his chest as at a funeral, balled out 'English', and thus avoided a clubbing."

Potsdam 1936	Potsdam 1936	Potsdam 1936, note on back of photo
Robert W Birtwhistle writes "Lily and Robert with party and guide, Potsdam Royal Palace 1936 British, French, Belgian, Dutch, German, Americans (who came over on the first trip by commercial Zepelin airship). Palace destroyed in 1939/45 war." Photo dated 2 Sep. 1936

Agreement Document 1927	Agreement Document 1929 Agreement Document 1929 p2	Agreement Document 1932
Agreement Document 1933 Agreement Document 1933 p2	Agreement Document 1936 Agreement Document 1936 p2	Agreement Document 1937

From the Album: photographs from 1948, 1973 and 2006-7

John Birtwhistle in Shaw Lane, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax, 1948	Shaw Lane, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax, 2006
John Birtwhistle with his father, Robert in the Contract Department, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax 1948	John Birtwhistle in the Contract Department Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax, 2007
John Birtwhistle with his father Robert Birtwhistle in the Contract Department, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax, 1948	John Birtwhistle in Sales Office, in Contract Department, 1948
John Birtwhistle with his father Robert Birtwhistle in the Sales Office in Contract Department, Shaw Lodge Mills, 1948	John Birtwhistle in Boys Lane, photograph looking towards the Shears Inn, Paris Gates, Halifax, 1948
John Birtwhistle on Steps of Main Office, Shaw Lodge Mills, 2007	John Birtwhistle in Holdsworth Company Boardroom, Shaw Lodge Mills, 2007
Mertens & Frohwein Moquette Loom at Holdsworth's, 1973	The Main Weaving Shed, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax, 1973
John and Olan Birtwhistle, Celebrating their Ruby Wedding at home Halifax, 23 Sept 2007	John Birtwhistle visiting the design studio, with David Hallgarth John Holdsworth & Co Ltd, Shaw Lodge Mills, Halifax Camera: Lumix TZ1 19 Apr 2007

Please send questions, updates, additions to:
Middle Pasture, Halifax, HX3 0AG, UK
Tel: +44 1422 322500