John we have corresponed in the past as I have a particular interest in Henry Clarke. Here is what I have concerning the Clarke/Pollard connection:
1905 - H. E. Pollard & Co. Ltd., acquired the neighbouring business of Perrins & Son around 1905, already established at 61 & 62 Broad Street, Worcester. Herbert Pollard was son in law to a Perrins. The latter advertised themselves as "Practical Gun Makers and Cartridge Loaders & Fishing Tackle Experts". It is not known when Herbert Pollard retired or died.
1911 - H. Clarke & Sons of Leicester took over the firm of HE Pollard & Co of 62 Broad Street, Worcester in about 1911.
1922 October London Gazette: NOTICE is hereby given, that the Partnership heretofore subsisting between us, the undersigned, Henry Clarke, George Clarke and Frank Clarke, carrying on business as Gunmakers and Fishing Tackle Merchants, at 62, Broad-street, in the city of Worcester, under the style or firm of "H. E. POLLARD & CO.," has been dissolved by mutual consent as from the 31st day of October, 1922. All debts due to and owing by the said late firm will be received and paid by the said Frank Clarke, who will continue the said business under the same style. Dated this 27th day of January, 1923. HENRY CLARKE. GEORGE CLARKE. Mr FRANK CLARKE”. So the Pollard name (brand I guess we would call it now) carried on under the management of Frank Clarke only, leaving his brothers to concentrate on their Leicester business.
1928 July edition of the Sporting Goods Review magazine: "A Worcester Gunmaker. Established 100 years ago, the business of Messrs Clarke, sporting gunsmiths, has been taken over by Mr T Thacker, who was manager of Messrs Clarke & Sons since they took the business over from Messrs Pollard & Co in 1911. Mr Thacker was formerly works manager for Messrs WW Greener & Co. The business was originally founded by Messrs Perrins & Sons, and went in that name for nearly 50 years, when it was taken over by Mr Pollard, the chief partner, being the son in law of the surviving member of the Perrins family". In this notice it is clear that the writer meant ‘Messrs Clarke’ as to be Messrs Pollard, since that was the trading name. H Clarke & Sons of Leicester in fact carried on until December 1963. In addition, I might speculate that Frank Clarke continued to manage the Pollard business alongside Thacker, since he appears not to have worked with his brothers in Leicester.
It is stated that Thomas Thacker remained at the Broad Street premises until 1932. However I have found an auction listing for a Hardy Super Bottom Fishing Tackle Catalogue c1936, retailed by H E Pollard & Co Ltd of 62 Broad Street Worcester. He may have therefore carried on in business until around the start of WWII.
Pollards loaded their own cartridges, the "Gastight", "The Keepers", "The Long Shot" and a best quality gastight game load called "Our Game".
Tim
Last edited by trw999; 11/18/15 06:21 AM.
