READERS have supplied further details of Woking builders, decorators, engineers and plumbers Richard Pain & Sons Ltd.

The business was featured in Peeps earlier this month, with a photo from about 1917 showing staff from the firm before departing for a day’s outing in two motor-charabancs.

Nigel Searle wrote: “I strongly suspect the company became Richard Pain & Sons Ltd, which had, from the 1957 Woking Directory, business premises at 119 Church Street.  

“As an accountant, my late father had the company as a client. And if my recollection is correct, the company at that time – the 1950s to the 1970s – was then owned and run by two sisters. 

“Therefore they were likely to be of the following generation, although not necessarily direct descendants, of the ‘Sons’ given in the firm’s name. One of the sisters, a spinster, had the surname Pain.”

Further research by Nigel reveals the Surrey History Centre in Woking holds records of the firm that was in business from as early as circa 1800 to 1975. 

They include financial and staff records, building plans and leases, building specifications and contracts, brochures and advertisements, photographs and records relating to company events.

The Institute of Mechanical Engineers also holds records on the firm that include ledgers dating from 1910 to 1933, containing register of members and share information, register of directors, allotment lists, register of transfers and annual summaries. It was stated that the business was established by Richard Pain, an engineer in Woking.

Nigel wrote: “A further revelation, from trade directories of 1921 and 1934 given on the Rootsweb website, was that the company had, for a number of years, occupied premises on Woking’s Commercial Road and High Street, possibly bridging between the two.”

R Pain & Sons Ltd had an advertisement in The Woking Book 1972-23 edition that was billed as an “information guide to the commercial, business and community activities of the district”. 

Of this, Nigel wrote: “The advertisement indicates the company was then about to move from Church Street to Cherry Street, doubtless forced by the major upheavals caused by the earliest stages of the town centre’s redevelopment. 

“The advert reminded me the firm was the local agent for AGA cookers, a fact which I seem to remember featured prominently on the company’s vehicles.” 

June Gilbert has added some details. 

She wrote: “My dad worked for Pains in the 1940s. Our house was owned by Brian Pain, and I wonder if he might have been the son of Richard.

“You will see from the bill of sale that our house in Horsell Moor was purchased by Brian Pain in 1938. Our next-door neighbour was a plumber and also worked for Pains.  

“I remember that when I was a child, Mr Pain’s two daughters called every Monday to collect the rent.”

The bill reveals that Brian Pain lived at Rydal, Heath Side Crescent, Woking. The price of the house he bought in Horsell Moor was £650, and he put down a deposit of £65.

Other documents June has show the property was within a block of three – 21 to 23 Grove Villas.

Details state: “Quietly yet centrally situated overlooking the moor, and built of brick, partly pebble dashed, with slate roof. Frontage of about 25 feet.

“Each contains: hall, sitting room (with fireplace), kitchen (with range), larder, scullery (with sink), three bedrooms (with fireplaces). 

“Outside: Coal house, WC. The sheds at No.21 and the glass house at No.22 are claimed by the tenants.”