Dutch & Dutch was set up by two brothers, Samuel and Robert, the sons of a doctor, Myer Akita Dutch, and his wife Leah, who lived at 197 Walm Lane. Myer Dutch was born in Dublin and Leah in Bedford Square, London.
Samuel Louis Dutch was born in Crewe around 1880, and his younger brother Robert Victor Dutch was born in Hereford Road, London. According to the 1911 census, both brothers were living with their parents and working as surveyors and estate agents.
The company prospered, but sadly both brothers died young: Samuel in 1936 while living at 197 Walm Lane, and Robert two years later at his home at 48 Teignmouth Road.
Robert’s son, Henry Victor Dutch, joined the company and led it for many years.
Len Matthews joined the firm in the early 1930s and met Joan, who worked as a secretary to Mr Chattin, one of the Directors. They married in 1946, and Len later took over running the company. Joan left briefly to raise their family but returned, ultimately spending around 60 years working on and off for Dutch & Dutch before retiring in her 80s.
Dutch & Dutch remained at 415 Kilburn High Road until 1977, when the bridges originally built in 1879 required reconstruction. By 1978, the company had relocated to 346 Kilburn High Road near Loveridge Road.
