Edward Bettles was born in 1854 at Podington, where he worked as an agricultural labourer. He married Sarah Rainbow from Denton, in 1875, and already had a son George, a son Charles Rainbow, and daughters Eveline Mary and Maria when the family left Podington in 1885.

Edward brought the family to Rushden when George was about nine years old. William Harold Bettles was born soon after they arrived here, then two years later son Richard was born, and another daughter Lily Farey three years later. Edward worked in the shoe trade. They lived in Orchard Place, but then moved to 19 Windmill Road.

William Harold Bettles, like his father and brothers, trained as boot maker. He was working as a 'country' carrier when the 1911 census was taken, and he married Lilian Robinson in 1919.

William Bettles - carrier

In about 1908, his brother George had left the shoetrade and began to work on his own account using this fine horse and cart.

G Bettles - contractor and coal merchant