17 november 2011, he’s back, jack

There are a few characters in my family (goodbye ralph, 15 february 2010), and one is my great uncle jack white, who was I think the second jew to be awarded britain's highest military honour, the victoria cross. He got it at gallipoli, when his boat came under attack, and as the only man not injured, he jumped into the water and, under heavy fire, tied telephone wire to the boat, took it in his teeth, and towed everyone to safety. I mustn't have been going to enough family barmitzvahs lately, as I saw a sign above my cousin's law firm today that led me to this amazing website and the discovery that jack's factory, which he returned from the war to be an apprentice at and went on to manage, is still there, and is in fact back in family ownership and booming. With its ingredients of wonderful style, design, textiles in salford, made in manchester, commerce, culture and narrative, all underpinned by such an amazing story, it's simply overwhelming for me, as it's my own family. I'll be making some calls over the weekend...