IN 1915, when Salisbury City Corporation’s only form of transport was the horse and carriage, a 12-year-old boy left St Martin’s School to work at Mr H Till’s saddling business in Brown Street.

Many years later, the writer of this column who attended the same school, also tried to seek employment at the same establishment – unfortunately he was unsuccessful. Frank King, however, had a long and enjoyable career lasting 50 years and resulting in a gold watch in appreciation of his years with the firm.

Mr King – pictured – was born in London but came to Salisbury as a small child. He entered into a saddler’s business that was already well established having been started by Mr Till’s family in Brown Street around 1875.

Mr King had been with the firm for about a year when it was asked to make 12 sets of harness for the City Council. This was a large order to complete because one harness was usually a week’s work.

The thread was made from flax or hemp, which was coated with beeswax and the work required large steel needles plus tools that could punch holes in leather or slit the material.

But the work was completed and for many years a proud Frank kept a picture near to his work bench. This showed himself with Mr Till and the 12 sets they made – all hand stitched – and the firm also kept one of the halters inscribed with the letters SC as a souvenir.

Mr King commented in the mid-1960’s saying that the harness trade had practically vanished and his work relied mainly with saddles, several parts which were still stitched by hand.

At this time, Mr King was living in Pennyfarthing Street and had been married for 43 years.

He had no hobby but liked watching show jumping and followed any local gymkhanas.

By Frogg Moody