Spectrum Yarns is a family firm with a fascinating family history which we’ve celebrated with our Herbert Brown range. 

It’s named after Spectrum managing director Richard Brown’s father and split into different styles with each one named after someone from the Spectrum history … and what a history which includes a Victoria Cross winner from World War one and a decorated RAF hero from World War Two.

The Danny range is named after Richard’s father-in-law, Squadron Leader Daniel O’Leary, a spitfire pilot who won the Distinguished Flying Cross and Bar and later became a reconnaissance pilot during the Italian campaign. Only the best pilots were given this role as the planes were stripped of all their guns and armour plating so they could fly faster to evade enemy aircraft.

Daniel later flew bombers as life-savers during the Berlin Airlift and became a specialist in radar and missile defence systems. He retired from the RAF in April 1971 and his more than 30 years’ service saw his last role as RAF base commander on Malta between 1963 and 1966.

The Michael range is named after Danny’s father, Michael O’Leary, who was the first Irish Guardsman to win the Victoria Cross in World War One when he single-handedly charged two German machine gun posts in January 1915, killing eight of the enemy and taking the rest prisoner.

Brave O'Leary family (from left) Daniel, his brother Jeremiah, a bomber rear gunner, and their father, Michael who was a major in World War Two

He became well-known for his bravery with all the newspapers covering the story and received his VC from King George V at Buckingham Palace. Michael served as a major in charge of a POW camp during World War Two. 

The Tommy range honours Danny’s wife, Elsie Winifred Tomlinson (below) – known affectionately as Tommy – who was chief catering officer in the Women’s Auxiliary Air Force during World War Two.

The Rodney range pays tribute to Rodney Brook (below) who was the technical director at Spectrum for many years. Rodney did a four year Textile Degree Course at Huddersfield Technical College which later became Huddersfield University.

He was so intelligent that he did the course in just three years and obtained the highest marks ever. What he didn’t know about textile machinery and yarn spinning production just wasn’t worth knowing and he’s sadly missed by everyone at the company.