Richard Whitmore, seen here with Georgina Dudley, Benthall Pottery, 1937. A transfer-printed coronation bowl can be seen to the left.
Richard Whitmore (1861–1940), photographed at Benthall Pottery, 1937.
Unidentified workers photographed at Benthall Pottery, 1937, making coronation mugs.
Images: Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News, 20 February 1937, reproduced by the Broseley Local History Society
Richard “Dick” William Whitmore (1861–1940)
Active at the Benthall Pottery Company: c.1884–1937
Born at Bilston, near Wolverhampton, south Staffordshire, in 1861, Richard Whitmore was the son of an iron puddler.
In the 1881 census, Richard Whitmore, aged 20, was living with his parents, James and Jane Whitmore, at 5 James Street, Bilston. He was recorded as a “potter, tea pot maker”, though it is not known for whom he was working. He was married in 1882 to Marie Louise Benton.
According to his obituary, Richard Whitmore’s connection with the Benthall Pottery Company began about 1884.
The 1891 census records him living on Benthall Lane, Benthall, with his wife, Marie, and their family. His occupation is given as “earthenware potter”.
The census of 1901 describes him as an “earthenware turner”, and the 1911 census records him as a “pottery thrower”.
The Wellington Journal & Shrewsbury News, 20 February, 1937, published a biographical article about Richard Whitmore and his imminent retirement from the Benthall Pottery Company, entitled “Forty Years at the Potter’s Wheel”. The article is reproduced in full, below:
Forty Years at the Potter’s Wheel
A Shropshire craftsman of the old school
Mr R.Whitmore, Benthall, to retire
Seventy-four years old Mr. R Whitmore, of Benthall Lane, Benthall, which is in the ancient borough of Wenlock, who has been engaged in the making of pottery – the oldest of the arts known to man – is shortly to retire, but not until he has completed his work in connection with the fashioning of Coronation souvenirs.
He is engaged at one of the oldest pottery works, established over 200 years ago, and some of the present employees are third and fourth generation descendants of Shropshire potters. Although Mr. Whitmore is not a direct Salopian – he was born at Bilston – he can be claimed as one of the Shropshire potters, for he has been employed at the Benthall Potteries for 53 years, and for over 40 years he has been at the potter’s wheel, one of the oldest of the potter's tools.
Professionally, he is styled as a “thrower”, and when a JOURNAL representative called at the works this week, Mr. Whitmore had just “thrown” a lump of clay on the wheel and with his deft fingers was fashioning the desired article – a Coronation beaker.
Fragile cups, bowls, exquisitely shaped ornamental vases, tea-pots ready for the process of “baking” were on his bench, and they were all request hand-made articles.
In conversation which followed, the JOURNAL representative was informed of special Coronation orders had been received for hand-made souvenir cups and beakers, and it is on this work that Mr. Whitmore is at present engaged. He was on similar work for the Coronations of King Edward VII and King George V.
Although modern methods have been introduced, Mr. Whitmore is still engaged on the old treadle-worked wooden wheel, which was at the works long before his day. No one dare challenge him at “throwing” for he is an expert in the shaping by hands, and his work has gone to various parts of the British Empire and foreign countries.
An expert from Stockholm, when speaking on the subject in England recently, said, "The art wares so produced (by hand) have a touch of individuality, which gives them a wonderful charm which a. piece made in a mould never could attain.”
The comment is a tribute to the skill of such men as Mr. Whitmore.
Three photographs were printed with the article, giving unprecedented, tantalising views inside Benthall Pottery – the only ones known to exist (see images, right).
Richard Whitmore was verger and acting clerk for Benthall Church for 35 years, vice-chair of the Church Parade Committee and treasurer of the Rose of Sharon Lodge of the Oddfellows’ Friendly Society.
He died at Benthall on 20 August 1940, aged 78. Among the mourners at his funeral were Jack Raleigh, one-time owner of the Benthall Pottery Company, and Percy Hartshorne, the company’s manager.
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