Herbert Edward Dunhill: Difference between revisions

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The visit I refer to took place on a shimmering day in summer, about the middle of the war, just after Alfred Henry had returned to his regiment for the battle of the Somme. I remember the joy of taking Lilian off to see the sticklebacks in the pond and then of lying on our backs, hidden by long grass, chattering away like magpies through the drowsy afternoon.  
The visit I refer to took place on a shimmering day in summer, about the middle of the war, just after Alfred Henry had returned to his regiment for the battle of the Somme. I remember the joy of taking Lilian off to see the sticklebacks in the pond and then of lying on our backs, hidden by long grass, chattering away like magpies through the drowsy afternoon.  


We were all in the dining-room that evening when Father looked up from his plate and said with characteristic suddenness, ‘By the way, I’ve just bought another house in London. It’s in Notting Hill Gate. I really can’t go on with these unreliable trains. And the house, incidentally, is complete with a staff.
We were all in the dining-room that evening when Father looked up from his plate and said with characteristic suddenness, ‘By the way, I’ve just bought another house in London. It’s in Notting Hill Gate. I really can’t go on with these unreliable trains. And the house, incidentally, is complete with a staff.  


‘A staff?’ exclaimed Mother. Though she obviously knew about the plan, this point seemed to take her by surprise, never having had more than a local woman to give occasional help.  
‘A staff?’ exclaimed Mother. Though she obviously knew about the plan, this point seemed to take her by surprise, never having had more than a local woman to give occasional help.  
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As soon as we were allowed to leave the table Lilian and I ran back into the garden. We had plenty to talk about. It was dusk when Mother called us in. Father and Uncle Bertie were still in the dining-room, bent over papers and plans.</q> Dunhill, Mary, Our Family Business (The Bodley Head - Great Britain, 1979).</blockquote>
As soon as we were allowed to leave the table Lilian and I ran back into the garden. We had plenty to talk about. It was dusk when Mother called us in. Father and Uncle Bertie were still in the dining-room, bent over papers and plans.</q> Dunhill, Mary, Our Family Business (The Bodley Head - Great Britain, 1979).</blockquote>


Balfour reported that Herbert was involved in the motoring accessories business along with his brother Alfred, but it's not clear when this involvement started but ceased in 1905 after they resigned from the company (Alfred still a prominent shareholder until December 1908, over a year after he had started trading as a tobacconist). After that, Herbert starts his own business, but when, is presently unknown. It's known that in 1911 Herbert negotiated tobaccos, but we couldn't find detailed information about this activity and if it had any relation to Alfred's business. He was considered by his family members as an experienced businessman. He takes over the management of Alfred's company in 1912, leaving him to take the creative processes. After Alfred's retirement, he assumes a central role in the administration - position that he occupies until 1950.
Balfour reported that Herbert was involved in the motoring accessories business along with his brother Alfred, but it's not clear when this involvement started but ceased in 1905 after they resigned from the company (Alfred still a prominent shareholder until December 1908, over a year after he had started trading as a tobacconist). For the latter half of 1908, the rates were payable by ‘Dunhill Bros Ltd’, Alfred’s youngest brother Herbert having decided to join him in the business. But the partnership dissolved almost immediately and the company never traded After that. Herbert starts his own business, in north London - were two modest tobacconists’ shops. From the end of 1908 up to 1911, Herbert negotiated tobaccos, but we couldn't find detailed information about this activity and if it had any relation to Alfred's business. He was considered by his family members as an experienced businessman. He takes over the management of Alfred's company in 1912, leaving him to take the creative processes. After Alfred's retirement, he assumes a central role in the administration - position that he occupies until 1950.


<blockquote><q>After five years Alfred Dunhill was joined by his younger brother, Herbert, who had a powerful business acumen. He looked after the financial side of the business and left Alfred to initiate and develop products. It was a perfect committee of two! The increasing success of the business was achieved more by word of mouth and recommendation than from advertising; virtually none of that was undertaken.  
<blockquote><q>After five years Alfred Dunhill was joined by his younger brother, Herbert, who had a powerful business acumen. He looked after the financial side of the business and left Alfred to initiate and develop products. It was a perfect committee of two! The increasing success of the business was achieved more by word of mouth and recommendation than from advertising; virtually none of that was undertaken.