W.H. Walker and Brothers
W.H. Walker and Brothers was a narrow boat builder based in Rickmansworth, England, from 1905 to 1964. They were one of the major producers of narrow boats for the English Canal Network.
The business of W.H. Walker and Brothers was established in 1905 by Harry Walker. He took a lease of part of Frogmoor Wharf from Robert Grosvenor, 2nd Baron Ebury. The firm thrived there for most of the twentieth century. Eventually the land was sold for redevelopment to Tesco in June 1989.[1]
History
Harry Walker started with repair work to boats but in 1907 he started building his own boats. Walkers specialised in wooden construction. It took eight oak trees and one elm tree per boat. The first were horsedrawn, but motor power was introduced from 1913. Boats were built for Fellows Morton and Clayton, the Grand Union Canal Carrying Company, Cadbury of Bournville and Wander of Kings Langley, the manufacturers of Ovaltine.
The last new boats were built before the Second World War. Repair work kept the boatyard in business until 1964. The total production of the business was 212 new boats and repairs to over 600 boats. The business was known as Walkers’ of Ricky.
Bibliography
- Walkers' of Ricky: a history of W. H. Walker & Brothers Limited of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire. W.H. Walker & Brothers, Anthony John Walker. W. H. Walker, 1991. ISBN 0-9517923-0-X
