A. Burrell, Jobmaster
At one time, "A.Burrell, Jobmaster" of 48 Bacton Road was the man to go to if you wished to move house and he is pictured here in the late 1920s engaged on one such job. The photograph was probably taken in the vicinity of Preference Place on Bacton Road (now home of the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade). Archibald James Burrell first appeared in the Kelly Trade Directory of 1922 and, by 1927, the town guide recommends him for "Cartage of any descriptionandfuneral works a speciality". In the same guide, his advertisement offers "Hearse and Mourning Coaches, Wedding Carriages and Wagonettes at reasonable Charges" and promises the "Promptest attention to all".
Regrettable, in 1930, at the early age of 48, Mr Burrell died. Around that time, the firm became Burrell and Craske and, in the 1931 Guide, had become "Burrell and Craske (late A.Burrell), Carriers and Jobmasters". They were carriers to Norwich on Wednesdays and Saturdays with a department given as "The White Horse", Magdalen Street and carriages leaving at 4.30p.m. It was a sign of the times that the firm also advertised "open and closed cars for hire.andlorry for haulage".
Soon after Mr. Burrells death, it is believed that the horse-drawn hearse was sold to Mr. Murrell Cork, whose funeral business still thrives. Burrell and Craske was still listed in the 1937 Kellys and is thought to have closed sometime around the Second World War. Bob Craske was later working for the North Walsham Gas Light & Coke Company on Mundesley Road and, still later, worked for Mr. Murrell Cork.
Mr Burrells son, also Archibald James, is well remembered for his cheerful countenance at Randells Works and his keenly held membership of the St. Johns Ambulance Brigade. He is, in turn succeeded by his sons Robert and John. Robert and his family still reside in the town.
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