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After leaving school, Thomas
Edward Bladon became an apprentice with a Mr CT Shaw, a diamond
manufacturer in the jewellery quarter, however, this didn’t
last long as he formed a partnership with a Mr Stokes which had become
‘Stokes and Bladon’ of 46/61 Northwood Street by
1876. This partnership did not last long and Thomas then formed another
partnership with a Mark Harry Tongue, originally from Wolverhampton, a
lamp manufacturer who had a business at number 4 James Street,
employing 4 men and 2 boys.
In 1878 Thomas Edward married Sarah
Alice Matthews and lived in Kings Heath, as his father had done, on the
Alcester Road. The partnership with Tongue was dissolved in 1881 when
the business is listed as, ship and railway lamp manufacturers. During
1887 two patents for bicycle lamps and ventilating equipment lapsed
through non-payment of fees.
Around this time I feel
something must have happened since on the 1891 census the family were
living at Balsall Heath - a come down from Kings Heath. However Thomas
Edward decided to ‘go alone’ and went back to his
roots of Northwood Street, this time number 99/101 and moved his family
of four children back to Kings Heath. His siblings were also living in
the area, as was his father by now a widower.>
In 1898 Thomas Edward was
elected as a councillor for Kings Heath and shortly afterwards his wife
died. She was buried at Brandwood End cemetery in Kings Heath after a
Baptist ceremony. Two years later Edward died age 82 and like his wife
was buried at St Nicolas, Kings Norton. Early in 1917 Thomas Edward
decided to spend his last days at Stratford Upon Avon (back to his
roots!) Why is not clear . It was here that he died 11 years later and
was buried next to his wife at Brandwood End, 27 years after her death.
The business was carried on by
his son William Edward with his son, Thomas John, who was then 18 years
old so I would like to think he was involved until his tragic death 2
years after his marriage. Sadly William Edward’s other son by
his second marriage died aged 11.
TE BLADON
& SON Ltd
TE Bladon
were trading at 99 Northwood Street from around 1888. On 20th January
1916 the company was renamed Thomas Edward Bladon and Son Ltd and the
description reads ‘Trade or business to be brass
founders, stampers, piercers, tinsmiths, lamp makers, oil can
manufacturers, motor accessory makers, casters, spinners, electrical
engineers and munition workers’.
In 1921 a mortgage was taken out
to purchase 99-105 Northwood Street Birmingham for the business and
this was paid off in 1966. When Thomas retired, George Raymond Neale
joined the company, but Thomas still remained a director.
When Thomas Edward died William Edward became managing
director. After Williams’s death, the husbands of his
daughters were involved, as his son Thomas John had died but by 1974
the business was being run by the Homers and had moved to Lichfield
Road Industrial Estate, Tamworth Staffordshire and was still trading
under the name of TE Bladon and Son Ltd. In October 1990 the company
ceased trading.
A Birmingham Directory of about 1888 shews,
‘Thomas E. Bladon, Patentee
and Manufacturer of all kinds of Lamps, Lanterns, Reflectors, etc., 4,
James Street, St. Paul's.
An important and exceedingly flourishing branch of industrial activity
in Birmingham, is the manufacture of lamps, lanterns, etc. and in this
connection the very old-established house of Mr. Thomas E. Bladon is
one of the leading and largest in the town. The premises occupied in
James Street, are very extensive front and rear, the front possessing a
very business-like, attractive appearance, the rear consisting of the
different workshops. The latter are excellently equipped with all the
newest and most improved machinery and appliances known to the trade
the arrangements throughout affording the greatest facilities for
executing orders at the shortest notice and in the best possible
manner. Mr. Bladon employs an efficient staff of skilled workmen, to
whom he gives constant employment, as his connection is now very
widespread and valuable, including a large shipping trade, Mr. Bladon
is a patentee and manufacturer of all kinds of lamps, lanterns,
reflectors, oil cans, ventilators, etc. He manufactures all kinds of
outside lamps for hotels, restaurants, shop windows, etc., and makes
special designs to suit any style of architecture. He is also the
patentee of the new Patent Save-all Spring Feeder, which has a very
large sale. He also paints, glazes, and repairs old lamps on the
shortest notice.
Mr. Bladon for all his work and manufactures has received the highest
commendation. He is a conscientious manufacturer, and a scrupulous
businessman. The increased trade which he has grown around him during
the last few years bears testimony to the high repute in which he is
held. Mr. Bladon has designed and patented some of the prettiest and
most graceful designs in lamps that have been seen. His manufactures
have found their way to every part of the country, and the patronage
now enjoyed is of that superior order which is fully in consonance with
the long and honourable record of this distinguished house.
If you have any information or
you worked
or were connected with this company please contact us via the Email
address on the home page.
We thank Helena Bladon for
providing the above information
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