One of the more curious aspects of our Bank in the early part of the twentieth century is “Cattle Trade Banking”, a pioneering method of moving money quickly in connection with the buying and selling of cattle. Based on more trust than is perhaps advisable, it becomes successful AND profitable. By the time of the merger with Barclays we still have many cattle market, or auction mart sub branches. Some of these have actually survived into the twenty-first century. The way it began for Martins is written in the following essay by John Mashiter, (pictured, right) who at time of writing – 1948 - is Manager of our Skipton Branch. Here he describes the birth of perhaps the most important of our cattle market branches – Birkenhead Woodside.
E Reed & Sons and The Cattle Trade Bank Ltd.
E. Reed & Sons originated in 1863 not as bankers but as dealers in the big import cattle markets of the north-west of England. Branches were established in the markets at Salford, Wakefield and Liverpool.				Image: W N Townson Bequest
About 1875 the partners became alive to the need for some form of credit finance in the markets in which they dealt and they evolved a system of banking which, although quite unorthodox, proved most successful and brought them good profits. The large operators who collected the herds of cattle and brought them to the market for sale were enabled to draw at once the proceeds of each day's sales, leaving it to E. Reed and Sons to recoup themselves from the individual purchasers of cattle. By 1911, Birkenhead had become the principal port of entry for the great herds of Irish beef cattle sold in this country and in that year E. Reed and Sons established a branch in the Birkenhead Lairage, which commenced business on January 1st, 1912.
Mr D S Burrow Manager 1946-55	The successful business which resulted was purchased in 1920 by the promoters of the Cattle Trade Bank Ltd. In October, 1924, the surviving partner of the firm of E. Reed and Sons commenced negotiations with the Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd., and in the following year the latter purchased what remained of the business. Early in 1920, a syndicate of interested gentlemen decided to purchase the Birkenhead branch of E. Reed and Sons with a view to the incorporation of a limited liability company to carry on the cattle finance business of the branch. The surviving partner of E. Reed and Sons, Mr. Charles H. Reed, was elected to the Board of the new company which commenced business on May 27th, 1920, in the premises at the Ferry Approach, Chester Street, Woodside, Birkenhead.
As time went on the Bank extended its business but progress naturally was limited by the amount of the cattle trade which could be handled by the Woodside Lairage, although the Bank did accept customers not connected with the Market. The nominal Capital was £100,000 in £1 shares of which 62,800 were subscribed. A few shares were paid up, the remainder having 10/- at call and the paid-up capital totalled £32,900. The history of the bank was uneventful and it was taken over on August 28th, 1923, by the Bank of Liverpool and Martins Ltd.
Mr J O Hughes Joined the bank here 1923 to 1938 Limited Authority 1928 Pro Manager 1935		Mr John Currie Manager 1928 to 1946			Mr T A Samuel Pro Manager 1932 to 1934	Mr F J Clee On the Staff 1937 to 1938
Mr S Squirrel Joined the Bank Here 1941 to 1942		Mr S N Abraham Pro Manager 1942 to 1964			Mr D S Burrow Manager 1946 to 1955	Mr L D Carson Manager 1955 to 1964
Title:			11-078 Birkenhead Woodside Cattle Trade Branch
Type:			Full Branch
Address:			Woodside Lairage Ferry Approach Birkenhead Cheshire
Hours:			Non standard to fit trading days and times
Telephone:			Birkenhead 557
Services:			No Nightsafe Installed
Manager:			Mr D S Burrow (1955)
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