Historical information

This was the home of Fred Lyons and family from c1920. Previously they had lived in Lorne Parade. Fred had a hansom cab at the rank at the Surrey Hills station from c1919 and stabled his horse in a paddock to the rear of this house. His son Arthur Lyons remained living here until 1990. The fox terrier was Fred's constant companion.
This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons.
From 1907 a cab service operated from near the railway gates in Union Road. It was established and maintained by Mr C Fraser until c1916. George Rea either took over then or set up in opposition. Fred Lyons initially worked for George until he set up his own business. In time he changed over to a motor vehicle and continued his service until 1960.
Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived in Lorne Parade before moving to 55 Sunbury Crescent.
The Lyons’ home in Sunbury Crescent was called ‘Knopshambury’ - this was probably a misspelling of Knockshanbally in Co Kilkenny, the birth place of Fred’s father, Thomas Edmund Josias Lyons (1846-1915).
Arthur Lyons was born in Surrey Hills on 12 Jun 1920. He became a motor mechanic / welder and lived his whole life at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The donation was made while he was in hospital. He died shortly afterwards (23 Sep 1990). Donation was finalised by a neighbour, Mrs Florence Ann Armitstead, wife of Glen Victor Armitstead. Glen was a local hairdresser. They moved to 11 Sunbury Crescent after their marriage in 1939. Arthur had no relatives to distribute the material to.

Physical description

Black and white photo of the home of Fred Lyons and his family. It is a simple timber cottage with a corrugated iron roof and a low brick fence with wrought iron decorative infill between the brick pillars. A fox terrier sits on the brick pillar next to the driveway. On the RHS of the house a high slatted timber fence divides the front from the rear of the property. An early model Holden is parked in the driveway, the number plate beginning with GBE

Inscriptions & markings

On the back in pencil "copied 1996" . In black pen "Lyons, Sunbury Cres"