George H. Lawrence Ltd.

George Lawrence completed his apprenticeship as a razor grinder, however, he soon became interested in safety razors. In 1913 he started manufacturing them himself where he lived in Southgrove Road, with only a handful of workers employed. By 1932, after two moves to larger premises, the company moved to Laurel Works on Nursery Street. George Lawrence was a great philanthropist, spending vast sums of money on many different charitable causes. In Hathersage, where he lived with his wife, he built the open air swimming pool and bowling green, facilities which also included a band stand, tennis courts, paddling pool and sand pit, sun room, gardens and gymnasium. They also provided money to help build a new Methodist chapel and organ in the village. In Sheffield, George Lawrence also helped to build the Longley open air pool, and as a director of Sheffield United had the first roof put on the kop at the Shoreham Street end, amongst other good causes. The Lawrences’ also donated to international causes, and helped build twelve houses and a school in Bapaume, l’école Lawrence, the French town adopted by Sheffield after the battle of the Somme. George and his wife Elsie are still remembered kindly in Bapaume to this day.

Sadly, George was killed during the Sheffield Blitz on the 12/13 December 1940. He had been at home when the bombing had started and when he could not get through to the works by phone, he rushed in his car with food and drinks for his staff to help them. The factory received a direct hit and nine people, including George Lawrence, died. The force of the blast blew the strips of steel used for making razor blades across the road and onto the church tower opposite, making it look like it was covered in tinsel, according to an eyewitness.