Walter Latham (1851-1921) was born in Sheffield, the son of James (a snuffer burnisher and steel toy grinder) and his wife, Mary.  Walter trained as a carving tool maker, but instead began the production of silver candlesticks and candelabra in Solly Street – a business apparently started in 1874.  Walter and his wife, Eliza, had two sons:  Charles Henry Latham (1874-1904) and Ernest Walter Latham (1881-1920).   In 1900, Walter Latham & Son registered a silver mark from Brocco Works, Solly Street.  By 1911, Walter had moved to Hatfield, near Doncaster, and sold the business.  By 1920, James Deakin & Sons Ltd were the owners of the firm.  Latham’s remained at Solly Street until after the First World War.   Ernest W. Latham, Penrhyn Road, died on 30 July 1920, leaving £1,550.  Walter Latham, Rose Cottage, Hatfield, died on 19 November 1921, leaving £7,518.   He was buried at Norton Cemetery.  According to Culme (1987)¹, the business was acquired in 1926 by Frank Cobb & Co.

^1. Culme, John, The Directory of Gold and Silversmiths, Jewellers and Allied Traders 1838-1914 (Woodbridge, Suffolk, 2 vols, 1987)