The Railtons were a Banbury based family whose main business was farming, but also owned a shoe shop in the town which was run by manager, Solomon Shrimpton. They then decided to open other branches at: Chipping Norton, Buckingham and Kenilworth. To manage the shop at Kenilworth they entrusted Solomon Shrimpton’s son, Ernest, who had been gaining experience of the shoe trade at their Banbury shop.
Born in 1880, he had married Nellie Louise Judge at Banbury in 1904, and bought her to Kenilworth, and they settled into married life living above the shop. They had one child together, a daughter called Nellie. The Railtons had taken over the shoe shop of Herbert Wridgway at No. 10, The Square (now Enhanced Mobility). Within a short time, the business had moved into the larger shop next door at No. 6, (presently the Tree House Bookshop), where it became a permanent fixture in the town.
Following the sudden death of Henry Hill Railton, when he was only 46 years-old, Ernest was able to purchase the business from the Railton family, concluding the deal on 27th May 1915. He paid them £1,840-12s-6p for the business, with a loan of £1000 over a seven-year period, a loan he actually got from the Railton family, such was their trust in him.
With WW1 now into its third year, the Army was on the look-out for new recruits, and town’s like Kenilworth were being targeted. At a tribunal in November 1916, Ernest was spared conscription as he was considered to be unfit for military service, instead he was granted a munitions order. This made him work 36 hours-per-week, and he ended up working at the Coventry Ordnance Works, in Stoney Stanton Road, where some of the heaviest British guns were made during the war.
Ernest also (for a period) had a shop in New Street, but the year is unknown. He may well have moved there temporarily for some reason. It could also have been while the main shop was having some refurbisments, or he may have just trying out another shop in town, seeing if it might work. As can be seen, it was a much smaller shop than the one at the Square.
He was obviously a very shrewd businessman, promoting his footwear at every available opportunity. He organised many window displays at other businesses, like at the Building Societies, and also at dinner and dance functions etc. He sold a wide variety of footwear, including many different brands, including: Clarks, Norvic, Lotus, Mascot and Delta. He was a regular advertiser in many local newspapers, so he knew the value of advertising, and it obviously worked for him.
In 1930, Ernest attended an coroner’s inquest, concerning the death of 67 year old Thomas Owens of Roseland Road, who had been an employee of his for 16 years. He had taken his own life by drowning in the River Avon at Warwick, following the death of his wife two days earlier, and was seemingly un-able to cope with his loss. He had been plagued with leg problems since infancy, he was also suffered from bouts of depression.
The “Boot Business” was obviously thriving, and by 1936, Ernest had saved enough money to purchase a sizeable plot of land at Abbey End, where he had a house build. He and Nellie would stay there for the rest of their lives. The house he built still survives today, and is located in the area of the present day Mulberry Court.
The shop was damaged when the landmine was dropped on The Square/Abbey End in 1940. Soon after, Ernest decided to sell the business to the Norvic Shoe Company, who were a large footwear manufacturer based in Norwich and Northampton. They had numerous shops around the country, and Kenilworth was a good addition to their business.
The sale of the business gave him the opportunity to retire at the age of about 60, giving him time to concentrate on his interests. He had a great passion for crown green bowling, and spent many happy hours on the green in the Abbey Fields (now a children’s play area). He was a long-standing committee member of the Tennis & Bowls Club, and by 1965, at the age of 85, he was the only original member left. In his younger life, he liked keeping fit and was very keen on gymnastics, and cross country running. His other interests included football, and was a keen supporter of Coventry City, and watched them for many seasons. He was a firm believer in supporting your local team.
In 1953, he was at the diamond jubilee celebrations of his former school, Banbury Grammar. Over 1000 past and present pupils attended, and one of the dignitaries in attendance, was none other than MP for Stratford, John Profumo.
Along with Charles Randall, he was a founder member of the Kenilworth Conservative Club. Indeed, he was in attendance during their 50th anniversary celebrations at the club in 1964. The event was reported in the 6th November edition of the Kenilworth Weekly News, and the catering was put on by fellow member Mr Fancott, of the Fancott’s Bakery.
The name Railton, remained above the shop until about 1958 (probably for commercial reasons), then the Norvic name eventually appeared. In was around 1967 that Norvic eventually closed, and the premises were taken over by horticultural & pet food supplier, F. W. Hodgskins. The property has since been the, Picture Shop, and presently, the Tree House Bookshop.
Nellie died in 1969, aged 92, but Ernest lived for another eleven years, passing away in 1980, he was just over 100!. He had enjoyed, the best part of forty years in retirement.
