About Us: The Redmile Story

1790s-1880s: Early roots in Nottinghamshire

The Redmile story begins in Nottinghamshire, where Thomas Redmile, born around 1794 in Carlton, worked in the cotton and lace industry as a hose trimmer. His son, also named Thomas (born 1830), became a skilled journeyman cotton bleacher and later moved with his wife, Sarah, to Bulwell.

There, their eldest son George Redmile was born in 1858, followed by nine siblings. As the local textile industry declined, George turned his hand to joinery – a trade that would shape the family’s future. By the late 19th century, George had become a master joiner, setting the stage for generations of builders to come.

1880s-1910s: A new start in Sheffield

In search of better opportunities, George and his wife, Betsy Thorpe, moved their growing family from Bulwell to Heeley, Sheffield, between 1888 and 1893. The city was thriving during the industrial boom, fuelled by its world-renowned steel and cutlery trades.

For a skilled joiner like George, Sheffield offered steady work in construction as its population expanded. Family stories suggest he even helped build the distinctive pagoda-style roof of the Locarno on London Road – still visible today.

George and Betsy’s sons all entered the building trade, continuing the family tradition of craftsmanship. Among them was William Redmile, born in 1882, whose skills and ambition would lead to the founding of the family company that still bears his name today.

1911-1933: A family of builders

In 1911, William Redmile married Annie Fox, and together they had two sons: William Kenneth (Bill) and Curtis. After years of helping his younger brothers establish their own building companies and working as a skilled foreman joiner himself, William wanted more stability for his family.

In 1933, seeing opportunities in Sheffield returning after the Great Depression, he established W. Redmile & Sons with his two sons beside him. Bill, aged 21, had just finished his apprenticeship under his father, while Curtis, 19, was completing his with his grandfather George.

In those early years, both sons worked as subcontractors – sometimes for their father, sometimes for other builders – until the company was large enough to employ them full time. The original company cash book, running from 1933-1941, still survives today.

In December 1933, the wages were recorded as:

• William: £4
• Bill: £1, 14s, 5d
• Curtis: £1, 8s, 6d

(Before decimalisation, there were twelve pence (d) to a shilling (s) and twenty shillings to the pound.)

1939-1945: Wartime resilience

When war broke out, W. Redmile & Sons had already built several homes in Gleadless and Beauchief, but demand vanished almost overnight. Bill and Curtis, both deemed unfit for military service, worked at the Laycock Engineering Works on Archer Road until the Sheffield Blitz brought new urgency for builders.

From 1940 to 1942, the city suffered devastating air raids. Over 40,000 people were made homeless; 3,000 homes were demolished, another 3,000 were badly damaged, and 72,000 properties suffered some form of damage.

During this time, W. Redmile & Sons helped repair bomb damage and keep vital infrastructure running. The company also contributed to war work further afield, including airfield construction as far south as Ashbourne.

1946-1970s: Rebuilding Sheffield

After the war, Sheffield faced an immense housing shortage. W. Redmile & Sons was contracted by Sheffield City Council to build new homes at Parson Cross and The Manor. In November 1946, the business became a Limited Company.

Through the post-war decades, work was plentiful. The company worked on council houses, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings across Sheffield and North Derbyshire. A standout project was the Abbeydale Boys’ Grammar School, completed in 1958.

They also began buying land to build and sell their own homes – a move that brought greater stability and growth. Developments followed across Gleadless, Dronfield, and beyond, with thousands of homes built in communities including Birdwell, Stannington, Woodhouse, Killamarsh, Chesterfield, Baslow, Aston, Mosborough, Wales, and Thorpe Hesley.

1960s-1990s: A growing legacy

When William Redmile passed away in 1961, the company remained firmly in family hands. Bill’s health began to decline in the late 1960s, and his brother Curtis took full leadership, guiding Redmile through an era of steady expansion.

The next generation soon joined: Bill’s son Gordon came aboard in the 1960s (retiring in 2004), and Curtis’s son Richard followed in 1977, later becoming Managing Director after his father. Curtis continued to advise the company until his death in 1996, never formally retiring from the business he helped build.

1980s-Today: Specialist homebuilders

By the 1980s, the construction industry was changing. Managing both contract work and private housing had become increasingly complex, and Redmile made the strategic decision to focus entirely on homebuilding.

That choice shaped the company’s future. Over time, W. Redmile & Sons Limited evolved naturally into Redmile Homes – a name that reflects its specialisation in quality new housing while honouring its long-standing roots.

Richard Redmile became Chairman in 2016, and William Smith, who joined the company in 2000, took on the role of Managing Director. Today, Redmile Homes continues to build homes that carry the family’s signature blend of tradition, craftsmanship, and care.