Victor White was born in Leeds on the 8th December 1913 to Janey (White) and Myer Hamburg. He changed from his birth surname of Hamburg to his mother’s maiden name of White because there were no male members of his mothers family to continue that name.
He schooled at Lovell Rd school with the infamous Mr Bentley as the headmaster. This school had a very high percentage of Jewish pupils, many of which moved on to further education. Victor however followed in his fathers footsteps learning the tailoring trade ,starting at Burtons and moving on eventually to work with Leonard Wootliffe who was possibly one of the best bespoke tailors in Leeds in his day , so Victor had a great teacher. Victor was called up for the army in the Second World War and spent six years starting in the U.K. and moving across to Europe. He wasn’t the official platoon tailor but did many alterations for the regiments uniforms thus providing probably the best fitting garments for the rank and file and the officers
On demob he met his future wife Nina Clayman in 1946 and they married a year later at the New Synagogue in Chapeltown Road Leeds.
In about 1948 together with his brother in law and trading as White Brithers tailors he set up a bespoke business in Bradford
Every jacket, suit was hand made and a work of art. The loyalty of their customers reinforced the quality. Victor retired in his late 70’s but continued doing alterations at home mainly for ladies who bought garments that were poor fitting. Interestingly enough this work was done on a tredle sewing machine which he claimed was good therapy after a slight stroke. He was a regular shul goer and was always early on Shabbat and Yom Tov. His health was extremely good until the last couple of months before he passed away.
New Years Day 2011 …1.1 11. was the date that he died.
He was never judgemental and always rationalised with discussions and not arguments. He left an inspirational legacy and was a wonderful example to his son Raymond and grandson Lee in every way.
