H Rumsey Wells
Business reminiscence page
- 1879: Thomas Wells was Senior Partner at the Firm T Wells & Son, who manufactured caps and hats. Many prizes were won by Thomas Wells, for making sporting caps - for cycling, boating, riding etc. The business also supplied hats to the Armed Forces such as the Hussars.
- 1904: Thomas' son, Herbert Rumsey became a partner in the Firm. At this time, the business was located at 4 St Andrews Street. In addition to caps and hats, the business sold ties, embroidered badges, sashes and ribbons.
- 1914 on: Herbert introduced many new styles and he introduced the first semi-soft service cap for Officers. Some of the styles at that time were: the 'Doggie' cap - the Brancaster, the Blofield, the Westwick, the Conesford, the Wellscap, the Yare, the Reepham, the Burgh, the Wroxham and the Plumstead.
- 1935: By this year, the business was advertising their hats as the most expensive in the world!
- 1937: Herbert Rumsey died this year.
- 1974: The business ceased to trade.