Harry Silver Crossley
Matthew Crossley recalls tells of the quality of life, growing up in a poor household in Huddersfield.

He tells the story of his father, Harry Silver Crossley:

In 1880, at ten years old, Harry went to work at Lumb's. He worked there for 62 years, as a wool sorter.

He was employed in his later years in the dyehouse. Harry had a wife and ten children to support.

Shunning an overcoat, he always walked to work and put paper under his jacket when it rained. He refused to travel on the bus or tram.

Harry Silver Crossley. 1870 - 1942

Mary Hirst
In 1924, at the age of sixteen, Mary Hirst went to work at the mill in spinning and twisting; she loved every minute of it.

Her grand-daughter's company is now located in the re-developed mill.

Mary Hirst

Emily Linfoot
Emily started at Lumb's in 1935 and worked there full time until she had children, subsequently worked part-time until 1975, when the mill began redundancies by laying off married women.

In the 1930s, Emily Linfoot told her overlooker she was leaving her job as a winder. Emily didn't want to tell him that she was "expecting", but finally she did. He just walked away.

Later, she was asked to go to see Mr. Lumb in his office. Mr Lumb gave her £100 and asked her to come back to work when she was ready.

Emily Linfoot

Roger Cliff
Roger unintentionally started at Lumb's in 1964 and worked there as an overlooker until its closure in 1980.

A friend of Roger's had notice of an interview for an apprenticeship at Lumb's. He asked Roger to accompany him to the mill.

After the friend's interview, Roger was called in to the Managing Director's office. He came out with an apprenticeship at Lumb's - he didn't want to admit that he hadn't gone for a job.

Roger Cliff