According to the 1861 Census there were 146 men engaged in the watchmaking industry in Earlsdon at that time, out of a total of 159 men over the age of fifteen. One of those watchmakers was Joseph Richardson, a manufacturer and son of William Richardson, also a manufacturer. Together they bought two plots on Clarendon Street as soon as they became available and built adjoining three-storey houses with extensive workshops at the rear.
By the 1880s, the Richardsons were at the top of their trade, but following the deaths of both father and son, another generation took over. After the death of Mary Richardson (William’s widow), Westwood House was occupied for a period by Alfred Herbert — later Sir Alfred Herbert, Coventry’s great machine tool manufacturer — who had recently moved from Leicester to Coventry. He didn’t stay long but retained a lasting affection for Earlsdon and its church of St Barbara, to which he later donated a significant sum.
Eventually both houses returned to a watchmaking family, this time the Hammonds, who were however experiencing financial difficulties as the trade declined. Both houses were again vacant by 1904. The next occupants were Albert Staley, a mining engineer, and William Spencer, who had a ribbon factory in Earl Street. According to an account left by his granddaughter, Mrs Davis Brown, Westwood House was ‘quite pretentious and furnished in lavish Victorian style, all red plush and mahogany’.
These families were there for about fourteen years until, after the Staleys’ deaths, the Gibberds moved in. Before their move from Spencer Avenue could be made, an extension was required for the family of seven. It was while this work was being carried out that one son — young Frederick Gibberd — realised what the function of an architect was, decided that was to be his profession, and went on to design Liverpool RC Cathedral, Harlow New Town, and many other distinguished buildings.