Hargreaves, William

William Hargreaves (1880–1941) was a British composer and songwriter. He was born in Liverpool, but moved to London in 1901 where he established himself as a song and revue writer. His most famous songs include:

• Burlington Bertie from Bow
• Delaney’s Donkey
• I’ve never wronged an onion
• Just like being at home (with Harry Lauder)
• Little by little and bit by bit (with Worton David)
• The Most miserable man on earth
• Oh! I must go home tonight
• PC 49
• Where The Violets Are Blue-oo and The Roses Are Red

He was married to the singer and male impersonator Ella Shields and wrote a number of songs for her.