By the time of the Second World War David Burles retired and was a Major in the Essex Yeomanry and talented water colour artist. He painted a series of watercolours of churches in the Rochford Hundred which were published weekly in the Southend Standard. As far as his grandson is aware, the originals are in the Beecroft Gallery although we understand that they are no longer on exhibition. David Burles’ Father was at some time the publican of the Hole in the Wall pub that could be found at the bottom of Pier Hill. They lived in York Road where he designed the first cinema in Southend-on-sea, the Strand but this has since been demolished.