Norman Woods Melling (1888-1943) was born at Bolton, Lancashire.  He was baptised at Bridge Street Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, the son of James Melling and Elizabeth. The family lived at Turner Street, Tonge Moor, Bolton. Information on Norman’s parents and his upbringing is scanty. His first appearance in the Census was in 1901, when he was an inmate at Eden’s Orphanage in Bolton. In 1911, he was staying with the Heyes’ family at Keswick Street and was described as their stepson. He was working as a ‘commercial traveller for blue’ – presumably a reference to the local bleach works. In 1914, he married Nellie Catlow and they moved to Bristol, where they had three sons:  George Ernest (1915-1976), Harry (1918-1954), and Kenneth (1921-2006).

Apparently, Norman Melling began selling home medicines, so that he could support his mission work as a Methodist. It was said that he was ‘a natural open-air speaker, standing on a little box playing his concertina and enjoying repartee with hecklers as he preached’ (T. A. Noble, Called to be Saints, 2017). By the 1920s, he had established a business as a wholesale tea blender and merchant.  The address was Wellsway Works, 22 Rupert Street, Bristol.  As partners, Melling had Allan Vincent and Doris Ivy Evans, later Goudge (1900-1983). In 1936, Vincent withdrew. In 1939, the Register of England & Wales enumerated Norman W. Melling as a director of a wholesaler of tea and sundries; and an honorary minister of religion. Kenneth Melling was the salesman and London manager. Doris Ivy Evans was the assistant director and saleswoman. By now, the business was at 13 Rosemary Street (Bristol Directory, 1938).  Norman W. Melling, of Talbot Road, died at Bristol Royal Infirmary on 2 November 1943, aged of 55.  Probate was granted to Doris Ivy Evans; the estate was valued at £301.

The knife would have been made in Sheffield but we have no information on the manufacturer. If you have any further details please share them with us via enquiries@hawleytoolcollection.com