.... served an apprenticeship with the firm of Ball Beavon. He left at the outbreak of World War I to serve in France.  Upon demobilisation, he and his brother formed the firm of Rose Brothers and they dealt in the wholesale supply of  all kinds of musical merchandise including banjos and zither- banjos made in the Birmingham and London factories.

When the banjo started to be popular during the dance band boom of the early 1920s, Rose Brothers manufactured and sold to music shops their "Savana" range of inexpensive banjos. (The name was coined from the Savoy Hotel and its broadcasting "Havana" band.)

In 1923 the Rose brothers took into the business the brothers Morris and the title of the firm was changed to Rose, Morris & Co. Ltd. (See John Grey.)