Insurance agent W.J Emson & Co. had a shop in Mitcham for about 50 years, from around 1937 to 1987.
According to the 1921 census, William John Mulready EMSON, age 39, born in 1883, was a police sergeant at the Mitcham Police Station, and lived at the police quarters in Lower Green West (where Vine Cottages is now), with his wife Lilian Rose Emson, aged 38.
This and from 1932 shows him using all of his initials “W.J.M.” and the address as 21 Langdale Avenue, which was his home address as shown in the 1939 registry, with his wife Lillian R. Emson.
Mitcham Advertiser – Thursday 21 January 1932
By 1937, his business was from a shop on the corner of Langdale Avenue and London Road at no. 251, as can be seen in this ad. Note that the third initial has been dropped.
1937 ad from Mitcham Cricket Club yearbook
He was listed as a subscriber to the cricket club’s yearbook in 1937, from which it is assumed he was a member of the club. These ads ran up to 1968.
The 1952 Chamber of Commerce guide lists W. J. Emson & Co., at 177 London Road, Mitcham, near the corner with Downe Road.
He passed away in September 1961, and his address on the probate record on Ancestry was 4 Glebe Court, Mitcham.
This ad from 1968 is from the Mitcham Cricket Club yearbook.
1968 ad
The business was listed in the 1971 phone book at 177 London Road, Mitcham, 01-648 9351.
Merton Memories has a c.1987 photo which shows the business at 35 Monarch Parade.
Mitcham History Notes 