© Ken Hawley Collection Trust - K.0089
An advertisement for G. W. Belk appeared in the Skegness Standard dated Wednesday 1 July 1936. “STAINLESS CUTLERY and PLATED GOODS will be ON SALE in the MARKET on JULY 2nd. Direct from the Actual manufacturer. G. W. BELK, SHEFFIELD”.
Identifying G. W. Belk is difficult, as the name did not appear in directory listings of cutlery manufacturers. A good candidate, though, is George William Belk (1903-1970), who was the son of Byron Belk (1875-1944) and his wife, Harriet. After the First World War, Byron operated a market stall at Matlock, which sold, inter alia, cutlery and razors. In the Register of Engalnd & Wales (1939), Byron and George William (both widowed) were living at Asline Road, Sheffield. Byron was a razor blade salesman; his son was a market salesman. Byron died on 24 June 1944, leaving £1,261. His executors were his daughter, Mabel Holmes, and George William (a cutlery and tools salesman). The Belk family grave is at Abbey Lane Cemetery.
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