William, Ernest and Herbert Archer:

Left to Right: William, Ernest and Herbert Archer, officially recorded by Oxford’s own photographer, Soame (later becoming in Phil’s schooldays, the 1940s and 1950s: “Gillman & Soame”). The three brothers are shown, in this undated (perhaps 1930s?) photograph, ‘in their mature years’ (Grandpa would be 52 in 1930), long after the eldest brother (Eddie) and the much younger one (John) had both died (of consumption in Oxford, and in a tram accident in Leeds, respectively). Why their fourth brother, Charlie is not included, I know not, nor indeed why their sisters are not there either. (pba.19.6.2014). As for their careers, Grandpa William was, of course, the owner of his (bequeathed to him by his uncle) own furniture removals and storage business, and ‘very-nicely-off’ (as we would have said in the 1950s), whereas Ernest was an importer (into Holland), and perhaps exporter also, of motor vehicles. Charlie was, I believe a bank official, possibly a bank manager, who ultimately lived in Devonshire. 

qaa© Philip B Archer 2014