Meet Private White

Jack White with some Salford residents

In 1896 a true northern hero was born in the city of Leeds. Jack White joined the King’s Royal Regiment in Lancaster at the young age of 18 and was shipped off to face some fierce fighting as he was deployed in Gallipoli.

He was then commended for his valiant effort during a bloody battle across the Dialah River in which he was the sole man left standing. Private White valiantly jumped overboard and toed his own boat back to shore saving the lives of many of his comrades as well as a lot of valuable equipment.

For his service to his country and outright bravery in the face of battle, Jack was awarded the prestigious Victoria Cross, the highest of military accolades reserved only for some of Britain’s most famous heroes.

After the end of WW1 Jack returned to the North of England where he began training as a pattern cutter in Manchester. As his skills grew, so did his interest and indeed his employment within the company. Jack’s steady will and determination saw him quickly become General Manager of the company and before too long he was the owner.

Jack White with the Major of Manchester, circa 1931

Now, under the careful stewardship of his great-grandchildren, the very factory he once owned is still churning out great quality footwear to this day. Many of the different footwear on offer is highly remnant of the original handmade shoes and boots from Private White himself and their new street wear clothing range is certainly a bricolage of contemporary fashion with a hat-tip to days gone by.

Jack’s death was a sorrowful event as his health deteriorated and he passed away in 1949 at the age of just 52. Jack’s legend however, lives on today in the shoe-making legacy he left in the second half of his life, even making its way across the pond, in addition to pop up stores in Manchester and London.

Category: Featured, Student News