[4] When World War II broke out in 1939, he enlisted[1] in the Royal Navy, and trained at HMS Vernon[1] while continuing to paint in his spare time.

In May 1943, whilst stationed ashore at Roedean School[1] in East Sussex, he was killed in a bombing raid while he was walking alone opposite Marine Gate in Brighton.

[2] Shakespeare's work after leaving art school concentrated on figure drawings and portraiture, this continued until he started on his Thirties at Leisure series in 1936.

They are remarkable in their colour and figure arrangements and together they present a fascinating picture of leisure activities in the period leading up the Second World War.

Dudley Museum and Art Gallery mounted exhibitions of his work in 1979 and 1999 which featured both the paintings from their collection and others which were loaned from private owners.