Rushden Echo, January 4th 1924, transcribed by Kay Collins Mr Leonard Tysoe, of Rushden, will be the manager of the fine new factory erected near Abington Park, Northampton, by the Co-operative Wholesale Society, which will commence operations early in February and has a capacity for 20,000 pairs per week. Mr Tysoe is manager of the Rushden works of the society, and will combine the two factories. Of this he is quite capable, as he is a good organiser and technical expert. He is one of the late Mr. Swaysland’s old pupils, and, with his brothers, was in business in Northampton. Mr. Tysoe has greatly improved the production of the Rushden factory, and will make an ideal manager for the new works at Northampton, being capable and courteous and having full knowledge of all branches of the trade.

The Rushden Echo and Argus, 13th April, 1934 Rushden Loses Another Urban Councillor Mr. Leonard Tysoe Laid to Rest Former Controller Of C.W.S. Factories Election Aftermath   Rushden has lost by death another of the Urban District Council members who retired at the election last month.   Mr. Leonard Tysoe, who passed away early on Saturday at his residence, “Elysian,” Higham-road, has survived by seven days only his Council colleague, Mr. Tom Swindall, and Council election of 1934 will thus be memorable for its lamentable aftermath.   Like his companion, Mr. Tysoe had retired because of ill health.  He had been in poor health throughout the winter months, and during the past three or four months was seriously ill.  His wife and family were with him at 12.15 a.m., when he passed away. C.W.S. Manager Mr L Tysoe   Until his retirement from business life in July, 1932, Mr. Tysoe held a high position in the C.W.S. movement as wholesale manager of a chain of C.W.S. boot factories at Rushden, Wellingborough, Northampton, Kempston and Norwich.   Few men in responsible positions have enjoyed greater popularity among the workpeople they controlled.  Mr. Tysoe was generally acknowledged to be one of the most human and genial of managers, approachable, reasonable, and genuinely interested in the men and women who served under his authority.  He was held in general affection at the Rushden C.W.S. Works, and on his retirement the employees made him a handsome presentation.   Aged 68 years, he was born at Hackleton, Northampton.  He was the son of the late Mr. George Tysoe, and started work when only ten years old.  When he married, he was managing a boot factory for Messrs. J. and W. Brown, of Northampton, and later joined Messrs. Tysoe Bros. in their own factory there.   He removed to Kettering, taking an executive position with Mr. Harry Wright, and later joined Messrs. Charles Parker at Higham Ferrers.   The last twenty years prior to his retirement were spent firstly as wholesale manager of the Rushden C.W.S. factory, and one by one the other factories were placed under his control. Keen Liberal   Mr. Tysoe was a Liberal, and had supported the party for many years.  He always enjoyed the thrill of a Parliamentary election, and his reputation in factory life, added to his cheerful, unassuming personality and breezy manner of speech, always gave him a pull when facing Socialist hecklers.   In the position he often held as chairman at public meetings he could do more by his sense of humour and unconventional style than others might have done by their eloquence.  Hospitable and active, he enjoyed life to the full.   It was not until 1928 that Mr. Tysoe sought election to the Rushden Urban Council.  He stood as a Liberal for the East Ward and was elected, gaining fourth place on the poll.  He repeated his success three years ago, and at the monthly meetings often drew attention to small matter of general interest in which he thought improvements might be made.  He was chairman of the Health and Sanitary Committee, and a member of the Rating and Parks, Baths and Hall Committees.   Apart from the Council, Mr. Tysoe did not seek public offices, for he was a busy man, and his duties often took him out of town.  He was a member of the Rushden Town Bowling Club, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and the Rushden Masonic Lodge, president of the Town Band and a vice-president of the British Legion. Church Organist   He was a keen musician.  In his early days he was organist at Hackleton Carey Memorial Chapel, and was later choirmaster for some time at Adnitt-road Chapel, Northampton.  He was for several years a trombone player in Northampton Temperance Band, and was a member of the Hackleton Band – an organisation made up of brothers and cousins of only two families, the Tysoes and the Howes.   He leaves a widow, one son, Mr. Frederick Leonard Tysoe, of Inglenook, Higham-road, who is dairy-farming, and one daughter, Mrs. H. A. Gillett, of Bedford.  The younger son, Mr. H. E. Tysoe, died five years ago; he was assistant manager at the C.W.S. boot factory at Northampton, and a popular member of the Rushden Operatic Society.  Mr. Harold Gillett, Mr. Tysoe’s son-in-law, is honorary dental surgeon at Bedford Hospital.   Mrs. Gough, of St. Albans, and Mrs. Goode, of Harpenden, are sisters.  Dr. A. C. Tysoe, organist at Leeds Parish Church, is a cousin, and was formerly at both All Saints’ and St. Matthew’s Churches at Northampton.