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Around 8.7 million men served in the British Army at some point during 1914-1918 – and they all needed uniforms.

This led to full order books for many companies in Leicestershire in the footwear industry and in the hosiery trade, plus extra work for the women who were left at home.

But it wasn't just the bigger companies who thrived during World War One – there were smaller companies who did their bit for the war; such as HJ hall and Son, which produced 35 million pairs of socks for British, French and Belgian troops.

They were made in the small Leicestershire village of Stoke Golding, mainly by women, then taken by Blossom the horse down to the now defunct village railway station, and sent off to our troops in Europe.

Location: The Courtyard, Stoke Golding, Leicestershire CV13 6EX
Aerial photograph of the Stoke Golding Factory courtesy of Neville Hall
Presented by Bridget Blair