Fred and Nora Archer: studio portrait, circa 1910, living at 64 Kingston Road, Oxford:

My dad, Fred, aged nearly 5 would you say? So that makes it about 1909/1910. Nearly up to Edward VII’s funeral and George V’s coronation, and the family awaits the arrival of the twins in 1914. Dad, William Archer is working for his father-in-law at his furniture shop in Little Clarendon Street, nice walking distance from home along Kingston Road/Walton Street (past the Methodist Chapel, no doubt, though I have never found out exactly where it was), and Grandpa, Alfred George Archer is living with Grandma Olive at 7 Tackley Place, past the entrace to which, William would walk on his way to and from work. A cohesive family circle, no doubt, with chapel services attended on Sunday mornings, plus, equally doubtless, Sunday school for the children. Arthur is not seen here. I wonder why not? Two years older than Fred, and always good for a bit of fun, he was probably ‘unacountably missing’ just when it was time for the photo. I joke. But many a true word spoken in jest. Dad, would not be pleased!

qaa© Philip B Archer 2014