William Leech, Gun Maker 1796-1948, Still Trading
William Leech moved from St Martins in the Field, London to 20 Duke Street, Chelmsford in 1794. There he started up his gun maker's shop. Later he moved to 3 &4 Tindale Street, Chelmesford. Percy Leech, the last family gun maker, trading under W Leech & Sons, sold the business about 1948. The new owners continued to trade from the shop in Tindale Street until 1984. W Leech & Son still continue to trade up to this date from other premises.
The Leech family owned land across the road what they called the gardens, in which they had a range to test the guns that that they made. Also in the gardens was a shed in which they made up the cartridges for the guns.
The Leech family helped to form the Methodist Church in Chelmsford. They, along with other members of the Methodist Church, held services in their homes, before going on to rent a cottage in Springfield to hold their meetings.
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RE: RE: William Leech, Gun Maker 1796-1948, Still Trading
The William Leech gunshop was sold to 2 gentlemen named HASTLER & HANCE, who also owned the ironmongers of the same name across Tindal Street from the gunshop. The manager of the ironmongers was my grandfather Cecil Charles Perry. As a child visiting him at the shop was a wonderous place for a very small child. The 2 owners, Hasler & Hance both lived in housers near to each other in Cedar Avenue, behind the Quakers building in Rainsford Road.
Comment from John Crouch on Saturday, 2nd April 2011.
RE: RE: William Leech, Gun Maker 1796-1948, Still Trading
Hi there Anne, Have received your email, if there are any photos of present day Chelmsford that you may require, just contact me with an email address, and I will send them to you as an attachment. This offer is made because I'm not sure of how far away from Chelmsford you are. So to anyone who needs this service feel free to contact me. Not all of us can get back to recapture those images that we recall from many years ago. Best regards to one and all, John.
Comment from John Crouch on Monday, 4th April 2011.
RE: RE: William Leech, Gun Maker 1796-1948, Still Trading
Hi Ann, I forgot to add that my contact details are in the comments section of the WOODFINE family. Best as always, John.
Comment from John Crouch on Wednesday, 6th April 2011.
RE: RE: William Leech, Gun Maker 1796-1948, Still Trading
Hi Anne, I have your photos of what was Leech's gun shop. I have also dug up an old photo that shows the butchers shop next door. This was called H. Wright, butchers, and comparing it to the photos taken to-day clearly proves that it stood next door but one to the gun shop. Will still need you to contact me so the photos can be sent as an attachement to an email address. Best regards, John.
Comment from John Crouch on Friday, 8th April 2011.