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Wales (Counties as in 1851-1901) => Wales => Glamorganshire => Topic started by: aggiebagwash on Tuesday 06 December 05 19:11 GMT (UK)
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Hi Everyone
I am searching for any information about Walter William Phillips born circa 1872 in Cardiff. I believe that he was the founder of Phillips Rubber Sole Company and also Phillips Yeast. I am interested in when and where he formed the Rubber Company and any leaflets or other information that may be available about the company over the last century.
Regards
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret, there are a couple of advertisements in the Times for Phillips Yeast during 1933 - here what one said:
Rejuvenation without drugs. The real way to conquer indegestion, "nerves", rheumatism.
Phillips Yeast will work wonders for you. It revitalises your entire being and in a very short time brings back all your old vigour and energy - NOT by drugs, but in a perfectly natural and harmless way. Phillips yeast is pure and live. Taken with meals - just a few Granules or two small tablets - its action begins at once by regulating your digestion, restoring your nerves and purifying your blood. your ailments soon disappear: you fell full of vitality and years younger. all men and women over 35 should take a little PHILLIPS Yeast daily for 2 or 3 weeks in every month. Phillips yeast contains the life-giving vitamins B1 and B2 in fullest measure. INTERESTING BOOKLET post free from Phillips Yeast Products Ltd., Dept. T4, Park Royal Road, London N.W.10 or 150 Regent Street, W1.
Well Margaret, I don't know about you, but I think I am in the queue for some of this ;D :D
hope this helps
will see if the Rubber Sole Company is there also
Margaret :)
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Margaret, I think this legal notice relates to him from the Times of Saturday October 19th 1946:
Re Walter William Phillips Deceased persuant to the Trustee Act 1925. Notice is hereby given that all persons having claims against the estate of Walter William Phillips late of Oaklands, Dyke Road Avenue, Hove in the county of Sussex deceased [who died on the 22nd day of July 1946, by Douglas Hugh Granville Phillips, William Reginald Willison, Charles Edward Pettit and Kenneth Long-Brown the executors therin named] are required to send particulars, in writing, of their claims to the undersigned by the 22nd day of December 1946. [Pettit & Westlake 63-65 Baker St. London Solitors for the Executors
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret - again :)
The Times seems to be a wealth of information on Phillips Rubber Soles - original business established 1898.
There is an article in October 9th 1926 which describes the flotation of Phillips Rubber Soles Limited and offer of shares. It seems that the company was formed to take over the business and net assets of the private company Phillips Rubbers Ltd and its three subsiduary companies. There are a number of other articles during 1926, 1927 and onwards about the financial aspects of the company -shares, etc.
There are adverts in the Times from the late twenties onwards an example from March 2nd 1928 says: Enjoy your walking. Get the fullest enjoyment and benefit from walking by having your shoes fitted with Phillips Lighht Rubber Soles. They impart spring to your step and keep your feet dry and comfortable.
Can you see how similar it is to the other advert for the yeast! I think the graphics used were also done by the same person
Lastly notice of death in Times says husband of Florence and father of Olive, Marjorie and Douglas. it gives his age at death as 74.
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret, someone is selling a share certificate for Phillips Rubber Soles on e-bay and they have posted a picture of the certificate. Thought you might want to look at it for your research
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=8362294840
Happy Christmas Turkey
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret
Thank you so much for all that information. I am really mad that I didn't check my emails yesterday morning because the bids for the shares certificate closed yesterday lunchtime unsold and I would have put a bid in for it. Ce la vie.
It is amazing the information you have found about Walter Phillips I never seem to know where to look. You must be a researchers golden arm.
Thanks you so much for all the details you sent I just hope that I can reciprocate some time.
Regards
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret, I do hope the information helps. I know from my own past experience how just a little bit of extra info can sometimes make a real difference. I quite like taking a break from my own lot now and again and nosing around for other bits of info ;D
With regards to that share, it had been 'relisted' once already - probably no bids. It might be worth checking again in the new year as it may come up again. I noticed that the person selling it sells other share certificates so it must be their hobby/income source maybe?
Hope the info from the Times helps, post again if you need more detail on anything
best wishes and happy new year 2006
margaret :)
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Hi Margaret
I have been searching the census for Walter and I am getting a little confused. On the 1901 census age 29 he gives his occupation as Boot and Shoe traveler. If the Times article is right then why doesn't he say he is a Rubber Manufacturer? Why is there such a large gap between then and when the adverts appear for what must have been two quite large companies and why such diverse products?
Have you got any ideas on how I could fill in the missing years? As I don't know where the companies were first formed it makes it difficult to find. If you have time could you email me anything that is relevent to either company and that at least would give me a head start with the exhibition articles.
Thanks
Margaret :D
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Hi Margaret
I have just put another message out about Walter Phillips on the Sussex page hopefully someone may know about him. I have become totally absorbed in his story. With all the information you have given me it has made me even more curious about this self-made man.
Just done a bit of research for someone in London looking for a lost relative and found them within two minutes but the trouble with me is that I can't let go and have to keep moving back until I have done most of their family history for them. I seldom tell them that because it would spoil it for them but if I see another message a few days later I go back and help if I can.
This genealogy bug is a devil to get rid of isn't it? You keep scratching it and it makes it worse. Ha! Ha!
Regards
Margaret
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Margaret, this gives a bit of history when there shares are being made available. I expect that is why we suddenly see the companies mentioned so much in the Times - share prices updated on a regular basis. It seems that this man/companies was worth a fortune???
The profits of the 4 companies are 1922 - £110,708; 1923 -£116,016; 1924 - £134, 288; 1925 - £106,425.
Times - October 18th 1926
PROSPECTUS The company has been formed for the purposes mentioned in the memorandum of association and with the immediate object of taking over the business and net assets as on 30th November 1925 with the profits since that date except as in herinafter mentioned, of the present private company, Phillips Rubbers Lyd., of 142, 144 and 146 Old Street, London E.C.1. This company and its undermentioned subsiduary companies are the proprietors, manufacturers ans distributors of the well known PHILLIPS RUBBER SOLES AND HEELS for boots and shoes including the celebrated:
Phillips 'Military' Soles and Heels
Phillips 'President' Soles and 'Stick-a-Soles'
Phillips 'President' and 'Magna' Heels
Phillips Heel Tips
The assets to be aquired include all the issued shares in the following subsiduary companies viz:- Phillips Patents Ltd., 142, 144, and 146 Old Street, London, E.C.1
Premier Waterproof and Rubber Co., Ltd., Guide Bridge, near Manchester
Progress of Business
The original business was established by Mr. W.W. Phillips in 1898, and was converted into a limited company in 1903 under the title of Phillips Patents Limited. The business gradually developed, and became very extensive; and in November 1919, a new private company, Phillips Rubbers Ltd., was formed. This company aquired all the issued shares in the original company and in the Premier Waterproof and Rubber Co., Ltd. [which for some years previously had been manufacturing soles and heels for it], and shortly after that date the latter company became and has since been exclusively engaged in the manufacture of Phillips Rubber Soles and heels. In December 1923, further developments took place, and all the issued shares in the Guide Bridge Rubber Co., Ltd., were aquired; and since then, that company has been exclusively occupied in the manufacture of soles and heels for Phillips Patents Ltd. Many millions of pairs pf 'Phillips' products are now sold yearly in Great Britain and throughout the world; and there is considerable scope for largely increased business at home and abroad. THe name 'Phillips' is a household word in Great Britain in connection with rubber soles and heels and is also widely known throughout the world. It is a registered trade mark in Great Britain and in many other countries, and has acquired a very hight reputation for excellence of quality and scientific design. The goods have been, and are, extensively advertised. The business is well organised, and has been developed on sound and progressive lines.
REGISTERED DESIGNS &c
The assets to be acquired directly, or belonging to the subsiduary companies, include numerous registered designs, patents, trade marks and formulae which are very valuable. Many of these rights were originslly held on licence from Mr. W. W. Phillips at a royalty, but in 1923, Phillips Rubbers, Ltd., purchased these outright and compounded all future royalties by payment of a substantial sum in cash. Any future inventions by Mr. W. W. Phillips relative to rubber soles and heels up to 1st December 1934 [since extended to 1st December 1941] were included in the purchase without further payment, and the company will have the benefit of this important provision
hope this helps a bit more
Margaret :)
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Margaret, found an advert for 9th December 1916 [a bit earlier] in the Times for Phillips Military Soles and Heels, as follows:
"Thin rubber plates, with raised studs, to be attached on top of ordinary soles and heels giving complete protection from wear. The rubber used is sis times more durable than leather.
They impart smoothness to the tread, lessen fatigue, and are essential to marching comfort. They grip prefectly and prevent slipping. Feet keep dry in wet weather. INVALUABLE TO MILITARY OFFICERS. IDEAL FOR GOLF, SHOOTING & COUNTRY WEAR.
From all bootmakers,
STOUT [for active service] 4/9 per set
LIGHT [for town wear, golf, etc.] 3/9 per set
LADIES [for general wear] 3/- per set.
Phillips Patents Ltd.
[Dept. D2] 142-6, Old St., London E.C.
Margaret :)
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I have a family engagement in the Times September 4th 1929
The daughter, Marjorie Joyce is engaged to Kenneth Long-Brown M.A., A.C.A., younger son of Mr. A Long-Brown of 8 princes Avenue, Muswell Hill. Marjorie is described as the younger daughter of Mr. and Mrs Phillips of Oaklands, Dyke road Avenue, Hove, Sussex
and another engagement for the other daughter a few years earlier
Times December 8th 1925
Olive, the elder daughter of Mr and Mr W W Phillips of The Croft, Burgess Hill, Sussex to William Reginald Willison, youngest son of Mr and Mrs R Willison of Westbourne, Tillicoultry, Clackmannan AND THEN the marriage announcement in August 1926 - married on 7th August at St Johns, Burgess Hill. Her full name is given as GWENDOLINE OLIVE PHILLIPS
Margaret :)
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Magaret, have you got access to the Times online? If not you might want to see if this link [posted by smeghead] still works?
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php/topic,86255.0.html
Margaret :)
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Thanks Margaret will give it a go. I hope it is easy to follow otherwise I will have to get my gradson to show me how to do it. Ha! Ha!
Regards
Margaret
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Hi Margaret. Happy New Year.
Well I managed to access the Times Archive and I can't believe how much information there is on the company. You must have groaned when I asked you to email the details. Ha! Ha! I am not that cruel I just thought it would be a few details. Crickey I will be burning out my printer if I copy it all.
Now all I need to do is find out which company he bought in 1898 and where it was? Was it one of the two in Manchester or another one somewhere else. I cannot see any other business associated with the company and I can't understand why they would have such large premises in London if the companies were up north because they weren't large factories!!!
Strangely I have just remembered an incident from my teens when I went to visit my cousin's grandfather and when I told him where I worked he told me he had worked there when he was a young man but it was called something else. They were actually called the Premier Waterproofing and Rubber Company and Guide Bridge Rubber Company I wish I had asked him for more information but you don't when you are that age do you?
Anyway thanks for all your hard work I really appreciate it. If you have any ideas about Walter's early life and where to look please let me know. I am curious to know how he accumulated the money to buy the companies on the wages of a salesman.
Thanks once again.
Margaret
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Hi the 'other Margaret' :)
I'm glad you managed to get in the Times - thats the end of life as you know it - you won't be able to get off it for weeks [spoken from experience!] ;D
Margaret, where was Walter William living in 1901 and what did he say he did for a living?
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret
In 1901 Walter was living 10 Brywymor Cres, St Mary's Parish, Swansea.
Walter W. Phillips Head age 29 Boot and Shoe Traveller born Cardiff.
Mary Jane Mother age 57 born Sheffield, Yorks
Bessie age 32 sister no occupation born Cardiff
George age 25 brother, clothes assistant born Swansea.
This is why I can't link Walter and Phillips Rubber Soles which he bought in 1898 why not say he was a rubber manufacturer on the 1901? Maybe if I looked to see what his brother James was doing it may give me a clue. George eventually became a director of the company. It seems such a big jump from shop assistant doesn't it?
On the 1891 census he is listed as Clerk as are his 2 brothers. Mother Mary is a widow. All living at 57 St Helen's Ave, St Helens, Swansea
On the 1881 census living at 35 St Helen's Ave.
Can't read father John's occupation but on earlier censuses he appears to be a Linen Draper/Shopkeeper in the St John's area of Cardiff and Walter a scholar.
Maybe the money came from his father but as I don't know the social history of the Swansea/Cardiff area I can't envisage the house/shop which may give me a clue.
Will look for James on 1901 now and see what I can find.
Speak to you later.
Margaret ;)
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Hi Margaret - so what have you got so far :)
Walter William Phillips was born in Cardiff but living in Swansea in 1901 working as a boot and shoe traveller. We can assume from later information that he was running his own business in 1901 [commenced 1898]. We do not know if he was running this as a 'one man band' and/or if he was selling/making his own shoe heel and sole inventions ??
We know that by 1903 he had converted his original/1898 business into a Limited Company which he called Phillips Patents Ltd.
Five years from start up in 1898 to establishing a limited company in 1903 isn't a long time - what you don't know is the scope of this business and how it was financed or running?
Why call it Phillips Patents Limited - we know from later information in 1925 that he had a number of 'inventions' patented under his name that included his stick-a-soles and heels, military soles and heels, etc. Did he need to convert his original 1898 business into a company in 1903 to protect his patented inventions under the Patents, Designs & Trade Marks Act of 1883?
You can search for history of patents - first port of call is PATLIB
www.bl.uk/collections/patents/patentsnetwork.html
I think there are centres all over the UK, but you have to visit by the look of it!
There is some [probably minor]court case going on in 1907 [see Times Monday March 4th 1907].
We know that Phillips Patents Limited is making soles and heels from RUBBER [see Times advert for Phillips Military Soles and Heels -9.12.1916]
If you go to
www.diggerhistory.info/pages-uniforms/leg-foot-wear.htm
there is information about his Phillips Military Sole and Heel that include the patent number
Phillips Military Sole Size A Special Quality Stout RD no 644802
Phillips Military Heel 3 Stout Special Quality Patent RD no 645522
Did he make some of his money selling his military soles and heels to the army during 1914-18??
We know that in November 1919 a NEW private company called Phillips Rubbers Ltd was established and that this NEW company acquired the shares from his original company [suspect that means the 1903 Phillips patents Ltd] and also acquired the shares of the Premier Waterproof Rubber Company [how was WW Phillips involved in this company - or did he just but it out?]
We know that in December 1923 Phillips Rubbers Ltd acquired Guide Bridge Rubber Ltd and that finally in 1925 Phillips Rubbers Ltd [including it subsuiduaries of Phillips Patents, Premier Waterproof and Guide Bridge] finally became PHILLIPS RUBBER SOLES LTd
All this about RUBBERand nothing about Yeast!! but he could have patented a number of his ideas under his 1903 Phillips Patents Limited.
phew!
Margaret :)
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Hi Margaret
Are you a qualified historian? You seem to have a mind similar to me in the way you work things out.
I have found James living with his maternal grandfather William Taylor at 15 Windsor Terrace, Penarth, Glamorgan. He gives his occupation as Superannuate from the Inland Revenue. Wonder if that is where the money came from? I know it is the right James as there is a Fanny Taylor daughter living with him as Housekeeper and she was born in Sheffield the same as Walter's mother.
The strange thing about the changes of name is that when I started work there in 1963 it was called Phillips Rubber and Company but within a few years it became Phillips Patents. I will check and see if there is any reason for it. When I read the financial report for 1968 it said the company was loosing money and the following year I was made redundant. The reason given was they had to reduce the number of technicians and I was the only married female in the labs!!! There were only 2 women and 14 men who were on twice the wage of the women. Bet it wouldn't happen these days.
Another thing that is curious about the name is Guide Bridge is a place in Bury and I never heard it referred to by any other name and just presumed it was the local terminology for "the other factory". Although they did make entirely different products than we did so the labs had very little to do with each other.
As for Phillips Yeast what's that all about? Why yeast and where was the factory I don't think I have seen a reference to it yet.
You are right about The Times the only trouble is I keep getting distracted because I read all of the page and forget what I was looking for in the first place.
Will give it a go with the Patents. Who knows I may come across something.
Regards
Margaret.
PS I still love to stand near a shoe repair shop and smell the rubber and adhesive. No! I am not a glue sniffer I am just nostalgic at times. Must be getting old.
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Hi Margaret, wish I could have this hobby as a job - no I work for the health service :) but have been off work for four weeks and my boredom got the better of me and that's why I have been joined to the PC more than usual searching for dead relatives and those of other peoples [cos mine keep hiding!]. It is good for the idle mind ;D ;D
Hope you find some more from the clues. I think you're getting there. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if he patented loads of things!
Margaret :)
P.S.
My smell addiction is the old hardware shops that used to sell everything from paraffin, old bars of soap that smelled like Jeyes Fluid, to nails loose by the pound. Mmmmmm
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Ooh! Yes I remember that as well. Brings back lovely memories of going with my great aunts to get the pink paraffin and being fascinated with all the things on the shelves. Why did all the shops seem dark to me?
I am also off work. Had a slight heart attack a few weeks ago and told not to do anything strenuous so I am following doctors orders and relaxing. Well trying to but I get so excited when I find a new thread I have to keep telling myself to calm down. Ha! Ha! :D
Just helped out a lady who was looking for rellies in Wales but it took me ages to read the writing. Hope it was the right family.
Regards
Margaret
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Hi,
I am tracing my husbands tree, and found your notes and the names all tie in, i.e Mary Jane,Bessie,Walter,James,and George, although no mention of Florence.
The address I have in 1901 is 3 St Helens Ave/Cres,, St.Helen's, Glam.
My Husband's relative was George, his great Grandad, who later moved to Cambridge, were the family is now based.
Could this be the same Phillips Family?
Regards,
Lynda Phillips
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Hi Lynda
Yes it certainly looks like the same family doesn't it? Did George have any links with the company?
I am fascinated with how the company developed and what instigated the development side off the company and why Manchester and Bury? The link has got to be around the 1895 period. Why did Walter move away from the family business and move into developing rubber products in Lancashire and not Wales? I think the only way to find out is to research the development of rubber and see if there are any links to Swansea ie through the docks. I know in the 60's most of the rubber came from Malaysia via the Manchester Ship Canal.
Do you have any details about that side of the business and were there any other members of the family involved in the company?
Margaret
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Hi Margret,
Just read your notes, and no sorry this is the first I have heard about the company,.
I am trying to trace my husband roys tree, and he klnows nothing about his Welsh relations, George Phillips moved to Paddington , had a son George ( Roys Grandad), and then he moves to Haslingfield, Cambridge when Georgew is 2, and marries a woman who has two children.
George then marries Sarah Jervis in 1924 and has 3 sons, Eddie(died in the war), Frank (D), and Thomas (Roys dad)D. in Cambridge,
Thomas marries Betty Minnie Tredgett , in 1949 and has 6 children, Wendy, Roy, Edward (d), Pauline, Keith and Susan.
So I have just found the Welsh link, with Mary Jane, but on the census, she is a widow, and thats where I have got to so far.
Do you have any further info that could help, please,
Regards,
Lynda Phiiilip
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Sorry Lynda I can't help you with the family. I have traced the family back to 1841 but only because I was trying to find a link between Walter's company and where he lived and the mystery of how he moved away from the family business and into the shoe trade. I think George is living with Walter on the 1901 census where Walter states he is a boot and shoe traveller yet all the information I have on him points to Phillips Patents being formed circa 1898. Why didn't he say he was a Director of a company?
I can let you have all the census records if that's any use.
Margaret
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Hi,
I came across this old thread and wondered how far back you had got. I see from the replies that 1841 was the where the block came.
The Phillips family are an old established farming family in west Carmarthenshire. Walter's niece (brother George's daughter) was High Sheriff of Carmarthen in 1961-62. You can follow this link for her obituary http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/obituaries-mollie-phillips-1568530.html
Walter and George's father was John Phillips who married Mary Jane Taylor and John's father was Walter(Watt) Phillips who married Mary Thomas in 1831.Watt is shown on the 1851 census living in The White Lion Inn in Llanwinio parish.
I have information on preceding generations from a locally researched tree. Let me know if I can be of assistance
K
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Hi,
I have joined this site on the off chance you are still around and wanting information.
I am the great granddaughter of W W Phillips and various relatives one generation up are still alive and will probably have knowledge if you are still interested.
My Mum talks of seeing soldiers off to war wearing boots with the Phillips patent Rubber Soles on them.
Regards.