Massers solicitors is one of the oldest legal practices in Nottingham and was founded in 1897.
Mr John Thornton Masser, the found of Massers, was born in Bradford on 24 June 1855 into one of the oldest families in the West Riding area of Yorkshire who were part of the clothing manufacturing industry. John worked in the family business for 5 years, until at the age of 22 when he decided to become a solicitor.
John trained at Thomas Bradley Chambers in Brighouse and worked at Torr and Co in Bedford Row in London.
After relocating to the Mapperley area of Nottingham, he opened his own firm and became a member of the Nottingham Law Society and was one of the original members of the Nottinghamshire District Association of the Cyclists’ Touring Club.
John was widely known as a musical composer, with his Harvest Cantata performed at churches and chapels all over the country. He compiled and published a psalter and tune book in the late 1800s, both of which were used at the Addison Street Congregational Church in Nottingham where John was an organist and choirmaster for around 15 years.
H.T. Masser, pictured below, was John’s son Henry Thornton “Harry” Masser, who was mentioned in Despatches in the First World War. The signature of Winston Churchill who was Secretary of State for War can be seen at the foot of the certificate. Harry returned to Nottingham after the war and would appear to have followed in his father’s footsteps with a career in law.
During the Second World War, a young solicitor, or perhaps even a trainee, H A Wardle, served as a soldier but unfortunately was captured and imprisoned in a Krigsgefangenenlager – prisoner of war camp.
His brief note is addressed to Harry, which we believe was Henry Masser. No record could be found as to whether Mr Wardle ever became a local councillor and may have simply decided to remain a lawyer.
It was very kind and thoughtful of him to send his best wishes to friends and colleagues who remained in the office at this time, and his note seems surprisingly jolly and upbeat.
