China, Earthenware and Majolica manufacturer at the Cobden Works, Edensor Road, Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, England

• The trade name 'Royal Stafford' was introduced by Thomas Poole in the early 1900s. Some sources give as early as 1900 and others 1906-7. 

• Around 1925 the business was renamed 'Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd' 

• In 1939 Thomas Poole acquired the business of George Procter & Co. and the Proctor Gladstone Works business was re-named Gladstone China (Longton) Ltd. 
  (The Procter and Poole families were related by Marriage - George Procter (the grandson of the original George Procter) had married the daughter of Thomas Poole.)

• In 1941 Thomas Poole remained in operation for the production of utility ware under the Wartime Concentration Scheme. 
  Gladstone China (Longton) Ltd was absorbed at the Cobden Works when its own works closed for the duration of the scheme. The business identity was maintained.

• They produced canteen ware for the British armed forces. 

• In June 1945 Thomas Poole (Royal Stafford) were granted a licence to restart production of 'fancies' for the home market. 

• In 1948 the Thomas Poole and Gladstone Pottery businesses were merged and acquired by a new public company - Thomas Poole & Gladstone China Ltd (TPGC Ltd) - this was controlled by the Poole family. 

• In 1952 Thomas Poole (Longton) Ltd was renamed to Royal Stafford China Ltd and Gladstone China (Longton) Ltd was renamed to Gladstone China Ltd - both under TPGC Ltd control.