There was some confusion here – even as late as 1912 the street directory continued to call this shop Rabbits & Sons: however, Mr Shirley wrote on his census form that he worked for Freeman Hardy & Willis and he was right – this firm acquired the Rabbits chain in 1903. Freeman, Hardy & Willis was established in 1875 and named after three employees; it was eventually sold, partly to the British Shoe Corporation, and ceased to exist as a brand name in the 1990s.

Mr Shirley was born c.1877 Brixton; married 1899 Alice Florence Freeman (1875-1973). Children (one died in 1901, aged 3 days) – William Frank (1903 Epsom-1918 Epsom); Arthur Thomas (1905 Epsom-1996), accountant, married 1933 local confectioner’s daughter Violet Minnie Webb.

Died 27 March 1965, then living at 103 Hook Road.