The firm was founded in 1933 by William Healy Darbyshire and his son William Arnold Darbyshire. His grandson Rowland Darbyshire continues as a Director with the firm.

Over the years W. H. Darbyshire & Son, have taken over a number of small firms, notably those of H.B. Lupton, Harold Parkinson, Fred Orrell & Co and Neville Rimmer & Birkett.