William Henry Roberts (1847-1920) was the son of Henry, a spring knife cutler, and his wife, Ann.  By 1879, William Henry was listed in the local directory as a spring knife manufacturer at Ivory Works, Holly Street. Two years later, the Census enumerated him as a cutlery manufacturer employing three men and three boys. He lived at Alderson Road. He continued to trade at Holly Street and was later joined by his son, Walter Charlesworth Roberts (1873-1935). In the Census (1911), the latter was described as the manager of a cutlery works (presumably his father’s). 

William Henry’s wife, Jane née Charlesworth, died on 7 September 1915; William Henry on 6 July 1920.  They were buried at the General Cemetery. 

‘William Henry Roberts’, spring knife cutler, continued to be listed at Holly Street during the 1920s – presumably managed by son Walter.  In the early 1930s, the address was 70 Bowdon Street and Albert Buildings, 151-157 Fitzwilliam Street.  The firm was not listed after Walter’s death.