Irving Berlin pens White Christmas. Bing Crosby's recording of the song goes on to shift more than 50 million copies, making it the best-selling record of all time.

Changes in the rules allow for more directors who are not members of the Society of Friends to be appointed. Members' voting rights are also overhauled, with a move to one member, one vote, regardless of the value of policies held.

Nylon stockings make their first appearance to lighten the wartime gloom.

With the outbreak of World War II, most London staff are moved out to Harpenden in Hertfordshire. Some will remain there until 1956.

A good year for pensions but a bad year for gangsters, as Bonnie and Clyde are gunned down in a hail of bullets.

Friends Provident starts writing pension business for the first time. The new policies prove so popular that, by 1943, pensions represent 45% of total new sums assured.

The Great Depression hits the world hard. For the first time the group's assets fall short of liabilities. Staff salaries are cut by an average of 10%. Non-life premium income in the UK falls by 55% in a single year. General insurance premiums fall by 29%.

Head office is on the move again, this time to 7 Leadenhall Street, where it stays for the next 70 years. The new location provides closer links to the city's insurance and investment markets.

Buying Liverpool Marine & General Insurance Co. Ltd adds significantly to the amount of direct fire business the company writes.

To reflect the new addition the company changes its name to Friends Provident and Century Life Office.

With the acquisition of The Century it was time head office moved to Kingsway in London. Thanks to a rail strike on the day it took a char-a-banc, lorry and car to get the move completed. At the same time a new Scottish head office opened in Edinburgh's Charlotte Square.

A world-wide flu epidemic accounts for nearly three times as many people as died in the Great War. By 1920 over 22 million people have succumbed.

The first major acquisition - The Century Insurance Company. For £507,000 comes a business with market leadership in permanent health insurance and profitable fire and accident insurance businesses in the English speaking world.