William Arthur Colley (1868-1916) and Francis Harold Colley (1858-1936) were the sons of Francis William Colley (1829-1881), and his wife Sarah.  F. W. Colley operated Meersbrook Tannery and left £20,347, when he died in 1881.  Francis Harold took over his father’s business, while William Arthur became a cutlery traveller (visiting South Africa and South America).  In 1899, William launched W. A. Colley Ltd (capital £20,000) at Titanic Steel Works, No. 76 Arundel Street, as a ‘manufacturer’ and merchant in steel, files, cutlery, and tools.  He acquired Deakin, Sons and its ‘TIGER’ mark; and registered a silver mark in 1902.  Other Colley marks included ‘WALTER WARRINGTON’, ‘PERAL’, and ‘B. HANCOCK 44’ (perhaps Benjamin Hancock).  In 1900, he organised a cutlery fund for the prosecution of the ‘unscrupulous foreigner’ (in other words, Germans) who counterfeited Sheffield marks (Sheffield Independent, 6 January, 31 May 1900).  He also complained about the lack of support from the Company of Cutlers – a complaint rebutted by Master Cutler Robert A. Hadfield (Sheffield Independent, 13 January 1900). 

In 1910, W. A. Colley sold out to tool manufacturer John Kenyon & Co and joined its board.  ‘W. A. Colley’, cutlery manufacturer, 76 Arundel Street, became the vehicle for Francis Harold (whose father’s tannery had ceased business in the 1890s and was liquidated in 1908).  In 1911, Francis was listed as a manufacturer, Deakin, Sons & Co, Tiger Works, No. 76 Arundel Street.  He lived with his brother at No. 29 Kenwood Park Road.  Captain W. A. Colley was killed in action in France on 1 July 1916, aged 47, where he met ‘his fate like a true English gentleman’ (Sheffield Yearbook & Record, 1917).  His remains lie in Thiepval Memorial Cemetery, Picardy.  He left £4,074.  In 1919, W. A. Colley advertised at Arara Works, Rockingham Street.  But the Colley cutlery and steel interests were wound up in 1925.