Historical information

Lyons family history: Frederick Adolphus (Fred) Lyons operated a cab / taxi service in Union Road for several decades.
Arthur was the only son of Frederick Adolphus Lyons (1891-1980) who was born in Surrey Hills, son of Thomas and Catherine Lyons. He married Elizabeth Ruby Hall in 1918. They lived at 55 Sunbury Crescent. The Lyons’ home 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.
This is one of a series of photos donated by Arthur Lyons. 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.
The hail storm occurred on 2 December 1924.

Significance

Despite the poor condition, this is significant because of the clear detail of the Union Road buildings and railway crossing in the background in 1924.

Physical description

Black and white photo of cab driver Fred Lyons with his son Arthur taken at the cab rank near the Surrey Hills station, clearing up after a hail storm in 1924. Fred balances 2 large shovels; Arthur has an over-sized jacket on. The railway gates and overhead lines can be clearly seen in the background. Despite the poor condition, it is a relatively significant photo as it details Union Road buildings and the railway crossing clearly behind it.

Inscriptions & markings

On back of photo is written in pencil "copied 1996" and in blue pen "2/12/24"