Sporting the factory manager’s century-old tie

sir – A black knitted tie that I still wear was made at John Smedley Ltd between 1905 and 1910.

It was originally the property of Mr Charles Gregory, who was the factory manager and conductor of the company’s prize-winning brass band.

The tie was bequeathed to me by his daughter, Miss Ethel Gregory. She also left Florence Nightingale’s fan case to one of her relatives. Perhaps that is still in use, too.

Dr Clifford Calladine

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

sir – Our 25-year-old son wears his great-great uncle’s doublet with some pride. Only one cuff has the usual embellishments. The other is plain, as the original owner lost an arm in the Great War.

Jayne James Duff

Montrose, Angus

sir – I find these letters (November 11) regarding the longevity of coats slightly irritating. My husband of 47 years has never owned a coat long enough for it to be worn out. Without exception they have been forgotten in cloakrooms and other coat-hook locations.

He maintains that when he next visits Clitheroe (26 years after his previous visit) he will pop into the restaurant where he left his Barbour to collect it and prove me wrong.

Julia Edmondson

Knockholt, Kent

sir – A few years ago, Peter Cameron, a Royal Marines helicopter pilot, suffered serious injuries on my boat.

The haemorrhaging leg wound required a tourniquet and, in the dark, we applied a government-issued “first field dressing”.

Once he had been lifted ashore by the coastguard, we inspected the packaging: the dressing was dated 1944. I am glad to report that Peter survived.

Ewen Southby-tailyour Ermington, Devon