Albert's son Eric bought a shoe repair wholesale business called Charles Birch Ltd in 1965, which today is the largest supplier of shoe components in Europe. One of Eric’s first customers in the Leeds area was Craggs Shoe Repairs, also based in Leeds and run by a local character, Tommy Craggs.

Established in 1933, Craggs Shoe Repairs had already developed a tremendous reputation for quality craftsmanship in all aspects of shoe repairs. Using only top quality materials, Tommy Craggs repaired everything from boots and shoes to saddles and suitcases. Tommy passed these skills onto his grandson Tom, who was trained in shoe making and repairs from the age of five.

When Tom and his father Gerald were offered the opportunity to supply their boot repair and boot making services to the Ministry of Defence, they approached Eric Wilson’s son Chris, who had taken over from his father at Charles Birch Ltd, to form a new partnership.

The Boot Repair Company Ltd was born in 2011. The business has gone from strength to strength supplying the tri-services including the Household Cavalry’s riding boots, Jack boots and the Queens Guards drill boots. Read more about the Boot Repair Company here.