Mr. Brown would disappear for weeks and his wife would be unaware of his whereabouts. (I am told he was a commercial traveller.) Mrs. Brown made frequent visits to my home (the local police station) complaining of ill treatment by her husband. I think it was a love/hate relationship, as on many visits they were quite happy together! I don't think they were in Thurlow for many years. It was reported that Mrs. Brown committed suicide after they left Thurlow; apparently she put her head in the gas oven ­ very sad.

The Browns were followed by Mr. and Mrs. Hale. Mr. Hale was quite a character (very outspoken). The correct approach was most important when making a purchase. It was fatal to say, "Have you got a certain item?" His reply would be, "Mr. Hale has got everything". This being wartime we didn't always get what we wanted!

Mr. Hale and his son made excellent bread and pork pies. Jack remembers Mr. Hale letting Fred (his son) deliver the bread with a pony and trap around Cowlinge and Bradley East Green areas. Fred did the local deliveries on a trade bicycle.

In later years Mr. Hale's eldest son took over the business and kept the shop open for a number of years. Sadly after Ernest Hale left it ceased to remain a shop.