| AdminHistory | Neville Blond: Blond, Neville CMG OBE (1896-1970), Textile Manufacturer
Neville Blond was born in Hull, Yorkshire on 11 February 1896 to Bernard and Rachel Blond. He was educated at Manchester Grammar school and went on to further study in Switzerland. Blond joined the family textile manufacturing business in Manchester, where he worked until the outbreak of the First World War.
From 1914-18 Blond served in France. He was part of the cavalry regiment of the British army, the Royal Horse Guards and reached the rank of Major. Blond was distinguished twice by the French government for his valiant conduct. He was decorated with the Croix de Guerre avec Palme and became an Officier de la Légion d’Honneur, the highest French order for military merit. In addition Blond was offered a position as Liaison Officer for the Ministry of war in Paris where he worked from 1918-21.
Blond returned to the family business, named ‘Blond Brothers, Textile Manufacturers’, and worked alongside his brother Horace. The business had supplied military uniforms during the war. It also produced scarves and supplied underwear to Marks and Spencer.
In 1927 Blond married Eileen Reba Nahum. They had two sons together, Anthony and Peter Blond.
(Source: Leeds Library Special Collections. URL: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/special-collections/collection/1923). |