Hi Alec
I'm sorry, it looks like that was wishfull thinking on my part.
THOMAS PHILLIPS b. abt 1843 Warwickshire, Birmingham was my Granfather's father and in the 1891 census at the same address in Cheapside, Birmingham.
He was a Bedstead Maker.
CHARLES R PHILLIPS (Not my Grandfather) b. abt 1841 Birmingham, lived 2 numbers away from Mary Ann Goodall in 1871 census, who's son John aged 17 was a Bedstead Castor, which sounds to me like a part of Bedstead making.
I have lept to the conclusion, without any firm evidence, that he may have been working for THOMAS PHILLIPS, who he may have known through CHARLES R PHILLIPS, who may have been THOMAS'S brother, as they are a similar age.
Sorry, absolutely no excuse for doing that, except perhaps that I have so much stuff that I cannot get myself straight and am making silly mistakes in my haste.
I am retracing my steps now and trying to get more organised, and will be more carefull in future.
Hope this clarifies.
Cheers
Ron