Identity area
Reference code
AR1182
Title
Date(s)
- 1894 - 2008 (Creation)
Level of description
Collection
Extent and medium
1 box containing 63 items plus 1 oversized item
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Louis Henry Turtle, born 1861 in Chesterfield, was a travelling salesman for Sheffield cutlery manufacturer Wheatley Brothers. In 1894, whilst visiting Croydon, he purchased a tool shop on Crown Hill that was up for sale. He continued to be head of the firm until his death 4th October 1940, aged 79.
Louis Henry married Kate Hibberson in 1883 and had two children, Clifford and Marion. Clifford worked in the shop until he was called up to fight during the First World War. He was killed in the Battle of the Somme in 1916 at age 23. Marion went on to marry Martin Little whom she later divorced, changing her name back to Turtle by deed poll. They had a son named Rupert.
Rupert, a trained engineer, worked in the shop where he met Marjorie. Her father provided Rupert with a job in his engineering company whilst Marion and Rupert ran the shop. Rupert and Marjorie had 4 children. When the eldest showed no interest in wanting to run the shop, Jeremy took over, helping facilitate a move of premises in 1964. Jeremy Turtle ran the business until its closure in 2008.
Name of creator
Administrative history
L. H. Turtle Ltd. (Turtles or Turtle's) was established in 1894 by Louis Henry Turtle upon the purchase of a tool shop in Crown Hill (Lindsley and Co.). The shop initially sold cutlery and tools before expanding into garden tools and arts and crafts. In 1913 the site had expanded to include the garden and an old malt house at the end of the garden. This extra space was used to accommodate workshops for grinding, sharpening and repairs. In 1964, the shop became subject to a compulsory purchase order and new premises on Park Street were found. As part of this move, it became one of the first hardware stores to offer self-service shopping. At the same time, offices and storage facilites were obtained in Whitehorse Lane before moving to purpose built premises on Tait Road in 1974. The business continued to operate until 2008 when the shop became subject to another compulsory order and the business was closed. Although there were times when the shop was managed by non-family, both Louis Henry’s children, Marion and Clifford, helped in the shop as did Marion’s son, Rupert. When the move to Park Street was necessary, Jeremy, Louis Henry’s great-grandson took over the business until its closure. Company number: 00836538
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Donated by Jeremy Turtle, the great-grandson of the stores founder, Louis Henry Turtle
Content and structure area
Scope and content
This collection consists of photographs, correspondence, press cuttings and marketing material that chart the companies long service of operation, including the changing location of physical stores, up to the companies closure. Also included are sales catalogues and price lists from the early 1900s that showcase the range of items sold.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
During appraisal and arrangement, duplicate items were disposed of in consultation with the Borough Archivist.
Accruals
System of arrangement
The collection has mostly remained in the original order as when deposited. Some items, mostly photographs, were moved to better fit within the artificially assigned series used.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright conditions for a number of photographs are unknown.
Language of material
Script of material
Language and script notes
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
Some sales Catalogues and Price Lists are fragile.
Finding aids
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Note
Also included is a 3 page history of the family and business written by Jeremy Turtle as part of the accession process.