Richard Bracey, a Welsh miner who left the mines in the 1940s and moved to London, where he found success in the neon sign industry. His company, God's Own Junkyard, which is now owned by his grandson, has been illuminating the streets of London, particularly in Soho, for seven decades.
Richard Bracey began his journey in London after disliking his work in the mines and serving in the Royal Navy during World War Two. He learned the specialized trade of creating neon signs, a challenging job involving high temperatures and electricity.
In the 1950s, he founded his own neon sign company, which later became God's Own Junkyard. His neon signs, including those for Soho's Raymond Revuebar and the former Walthamstow Stadium, still shine brightly in various parts of London.
Richard's son, Chris, carried on the family tradition and became known as the "neon man," creating signs for films and establishments in Soho. The company has grown from a small garage workshop to a major player in the neon sign industry, maintaining one of the largest collections of neon signs and sculptures in Walthamstow.
Matthew Bracey, Richard's grandson, now leads the company and continues to send neon signs worldwide, cementing the company's global reputation.