When the Great Slump came, because he dealt in luxury goods, DW suffered more than many.
He had to lay off staff, and as bad debts increased it was suggested he make himself bankrupt.
Three of his closest friends rallied round and saved him from disaster; two lent him money and a third, Mervyn Baron, arranged an introduction to another firm, Fearon, Block & Co. They bought his business and made him a director, but in practice his influence in the new firm was very limited.
DW's divorce from Nancy came through at this stage, and he married Joan. With the consent of the head of the combined firm, they went off for a honeymoon in France. When DW came back however, things were to take an even more dramatic turn for the worse. The directors of the new business accused him of mis-declaring a private overdraft of £4,000 by putting it in with the company's debts, and accused him of fraud.
Little did DW realise at this low point that a new life was just around the corner.
