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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Tickettyboo on Saturday 05 June 21 16:36 BST (UK)
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Ernest (seated on the grass wearing a suit and tie) and his pals - possibly just prior to them enlisting in 1914?.
It was printed as a postcard and he seems to have kept it with him when he was sent to France in Jan 1915.
He was taken prisoner March 1918 was a POW in Germany and it was this postcard he sent to his Mam to let her know he was alive. He finally returned home in Dec 1918, served another year and a half in the Special Reserve, married his sweetheart (Ethel) in 1923 and the rest is history.
He was the 2x Great Granda (paternal side) of my grandsons and their Dad is a dead ringer for Ernest :-)
I've included the back I can make the writing out but thought it may give some clues to when the photo was taken/ printed.
Its really grubby and there are cracks, if anyone has time to see if it can be improved we'd appreciate it.
In the meantime I'll carry on poking round to see what I can find to add to his story and making up stories about his pals - I have no idea who they were but were obviously important to him to have carried this photo round all that time. :-)
Thanks
Boo
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The Crown Studios stamp box was in use from 1913-29.
As your man took it overseas in Jan. 1915 narrows it to 1913-14.
As it looks like summer I'll take a punt at July-Aug. 1914.
So taken at the start of Operation Michael AKA the German Spring
Offensive.
The W.Yorks were in the trenches at Morchies.
The German offensive covered a front of about 50 mls. from
Arras to St. Quentin, Morchies is about half way between.
He was 1 of 531 men taken prisoner.
This puts it into context:
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I wonder if the flower that some of the men are wearing is significant
Several of the men seem to bear a family resemblance could it have been taken during a wedding ....maybe Earnest was the best man !
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One from me
Pat
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Lovely job, Pat. :D
Peter
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Thank you japeflakes, as always your time and skill is much appreciated.
I now have your version safely saved away with the original, though its lovely to have it cleaned maybe for the family to print, the dirt and cracks tell part of the story and are well worth preserving.
Boo
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The Crown Studios stamp box was in use from 1913-29.
As your man took it overseas in Jan. 1915 narrows it to 1913-14.
As it looks like summer I'll take a punt at July-Aug. 1914.
So taken at the start of Operation Michael AKA the German Spring
Offensive.
The W.Yorks were in the trenches at Morchies.
The German offensive covered a front of about 50 mls. from
Arras to St. Quentin, Morchies is about half way between.
He was 1 of 531 men taken prisoner.
This puts it into context:
Thanks jim1, his attestation is dated 20th August 1914, so July/Aug seems about right and his service record shows he was with the 1st Battalion WYR.
Please could you confirm that the typed snippet refers to 21 and 23 March 1918? Not that I disbelieve you just so I can quote a source properly (and you also get billing in the sources list lol).
It's super info, though infinitely sad as even taking into account the ones who reported for duty and the number of prisoners, that's a huge death toll - and that was just one side. No doubt the other side had as many - all of them someone's sons/ fathers/ husbands/ brothers :-(
I really appreciate the help. Will pass this along to the family, I'm unsure if they knew where he was taken prisoner.
Boo
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I wonder if the flower that some of the men are wearing is significant
Several of the men seem to bear a family resemblance could it have been taken during a wedding ....maybe Earnest was the best man !
Thanks bridgidmac. Isn't it odd, I have looked and looked at that photo and 'have' seen the flowers but failed to make the obvious connection that you have!
Extra pairs of eyes are SO helpful and much appreciated :-)
Boo
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One from me
Pat
Thank you Pat, that is a lovely improvement and is safely saved in his folder.
Still got no real concept of 'how' you folks do this but I am very grateful that you do :-)
Boo
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Please could you confirm that the typed snippet refers to 21 and 23 March 1918?
Confirmed. It came from the 1/WYR war diary.
I notice he was wounded in the chest on 14/8/15.
This was at Hooge crater on the Menin rd. E. of Ypres.
In July the Germans had successfully attacked & taken the trench systems at Hooge
& Sanctuary wood & the 1/WYR along with the rest of the 6/Div. were tasked with taking it back
at the start of Aug. 1915 which they did.
On the 13th. 1/WYR went into billets in Ypres but sent back up the line on the 14th. to dig communication trenches.(yellow square).
One man was wounded...yours.
if you want larger images let me know.
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Please could you confirm that the typed snippet refers to 21 and 23 March 1918?
Confirmed. It came from the 1/WYR war diary.
I notice he was wounded in the chest on 14/8/15.
This was at Hooge crater on the Menin rd. W. of Ypres.
In July the Germans had successfully attacked & taken the trench systems at Hooge
& Sanctuary wood & the 1/WYR along with the rest of the 6/Div. were tasked with taking it back
at the start of Aug. 1915 which they did.
On the 13th. 1/WYR went into billets in Ypres but sent back up the line on the 14th. to dig communication trenches.(yellow square).
One man was wounded...yours.
if you want larger images let me know.
Oh thank you Jim! Spurred on by your previous info I have now downloaded the war diaries and can see that entry.
If you have a larger image of the map (or a link to it if its on the web), I'd appreciate it. My screen is fairly large and the one you posted is difficult to make out here.
EDIT Sorry Jim, DumbBoo has now scrolled on from the entry in the War Diary and can see the map !
I should be able to add the highlight area myself.
Boo
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Better one.
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Better one.
It certainly is, many thanks, all of this really adds to the story.
Boo
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Fascinating post and great photo do up and wonderful information.
Did you follow up if any of his siblings got married around 1914
I also thought if someone can identify that flower maybe it is symbolic of a regiment that all the young men wearing one had signed up to .
Or a symbol of their town
I dont think there is a flower that represents courage or hope but anything is possible.
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Earnest could do with new boots from the army
I noticed one of the men seems to have some brand new shoes
It reminded me of my grandad b 1900
He had 5 brothers and said whoever got up first got the best shoes and trousers !
The brother who didnt go to war became a shoemaker !
How many brothers/cousins did Earnest have ?
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Hi Brigidmac.
If this was a wedding then it definitely wasn't any of Ernest siblings, I haven't got as far as cousins etc at this stage.
But I do feel I am straying way off topic now for this board and don't want to outstay my welcome.
No doubt I will need help with non photo stuff for these folk at some stage, but will post on the relevant board (County Durham), keep your eyes open, I often need help and am always grateful for any input :-)
Boo
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I get the impression that these lads joined up together.
You may try looking for numbers similar to his.
A bit of a trawl I know.
To narrow the search look for men with the prefix "3" indicating a Special Reservist which your man was.
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Try these 2:
3/8962-John Edwin Brown 1/WYR. (KIA) died age 30 & came from N'land.
3/8963-Thomas Murphy 1/WYR
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thanks Jim, will have a look.
Boo