Thomas Holcroft was born in a house in Coseley Street, Bilston. Between 1822-4 he was the Manager at William and John Sparrow & Sons' coal and iron works of Bilston New Mill & Furnaces. In 1834 a trade directory listed him as Agent for the Company.
Kelly' Directory for 1870 lists Thomas Holcroft, engineer, iron and brass founder and millwright at his Bilston foundry. The company was also known as a manufacturer of waterworks pumping engines, mill and forge engines.
Holcroft's was one of the larger firms which received a mention in Lawley's History of Bilston, published in 1893. He wrote:
"A hollow-ware works of great size has within the last few years been erected at Ettingshall by Messrs. T. Holcroft & Sons. Some hundreds of hands are here employed - a large addition to the works having been made two years ago. Of this establishment Mr. Harold Holcroft has the active management."
In that year, 1893, the firm was incorporated, Thomas Holcroft becoming Chairman, with his brothers William and Charles, sons Harold, Arthur and Frederick, and his nephew George Harry Holcroft, as well as former Works Manager, A.H.Mould, all as fellow directors. On his death in 1904 Thomas was followed as Chairman by his son Harold who was also the managing Director.
Kelly's 1900 Trade Directory lists the premises at Ma