This enterprise can be traced to the registration of Thomas Raynes Ltd as a private limited company in 1935.   Capitalised at £1,000, it was based at 39 Eyre Street, and dealt in cutlery and various tools.  The subscribers were brothers: James Fairclough Gee (1899-1974) and Reginald L. Gee (1913-?).    They had been born at St Helens, Lancashire, the sons of James Gee (1868-1948) – an insurance superintendent – and his wife, Agnes née Fairclough.  In 1939, James and Reginald Gee were living with their parents at 47 Brooklands Crescent.  They were described in the Register of England & Wales (1939) as cutlery manufacturers.  Also residing at Brooklands Crescent (62) was Leonard Wycliffe Holmes (1901-1989), his wife Florence, and their son, James Geoffrey (1932-1985).  Leonard had been born in Sheffield, the son of John Clement Holmes (a steel and iron turner) and his wife, Bertha née Shelton.  Leonard apparently received a technical education, as in 1920 he co-presented a paper on electro-plating  at Mappin Hall.  He held an Associateship in Metallurgy from Sheffield University (Sheffield Daily Independent, 19 November 1920).  Leonard and Florence had been married at a Wadsley Church in 1927: she was the sister of James F. Gee.  In 1939, Leonard was working as a commercial traveller in cutlery.  

During the Second World War, Thomas Raynes Ltd was listed at 41 Arundel Street – the same address as cutlery manufacturer, L. Holmes & Co.   The Hawley Collection has a stainless table knife marked ‘L. Holmes & Co’, which was probably made at this time.   Thomas Raynes Ltd became the vehicle for a new business entity – Gee & Holmes Ltd – which initially occupied 41 Arundel Street.  In an advertisement in 1946, the partners announced that they would be moving into a new factory at 61 Eyre Lane in early 1947.  The two-storey factory, which became known as Heritage Works, was bounded by Eyre Lane and Newton Lane.  Gee and Holmes advertised table cutlery, spoons and forks, and cased goods.  They owned a string of names: Thomas Raynes Ltd; Thomas Ibbotson & Co; L. Holmes & Co; Musgrave & Co; A. E. Martin & Co; and Gregory & Porter.  Trade marks included: ‘HERITAGE’, ‘SILVASEAL’, ‘ARMA’, ‘RAYMA’, ‘MAYFIELD’, ‘MERLIN’, ‘MARGARET ROSE’, ‘ELIZABETHAN’, ‘SPRAY’, and ‘JASMINE’.   By the 1960s, Leonard Holmes’ son, James Geoffrey, had apparently become a director and was attending meetings of the UK Cutlery & Silverware Manufacturers’ Association (of which Gee & Holmes was a member).  

James F. Gee, of Carsick Cottage, Tom Lane, died on 7 August 1974, leaving £2,853.  Leonard W.  Holmes, of 52 Clarendon Road, died 19 September 1989.  He left £139,595.  Gee & Holmes was part of K. Bright when it went into receivership in 1994.  The Eyre Lane factory was next occupied by Chimo Holdings.