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Thanks ThrelfallYorky.

Regards

Doddie

Whilst clearing out my late father's house recently, I came across something of interest. A necklace that once belonged to my grandmother features a locket (containing small portrait photos of my dad and uncle) and a set of attached St. John Ambulance Association items - a standard medallion, with a cross of St. John(?) and two small 'bars' (for lack of a better description), one bearing the date 1912 and the other 1940. On the reverse of the medallion is the inscription, 119356 Harry Smith. On the reverse of both bars is just the number. I have been researching my family for some years now and have never come across the name of Harry Smith. However, he must presumably have held some significance for my grandmother. She spent most of her life in the Leigh area of Lancashire and died in 1995 aged 91. I gather, after looking on the internet, that any research inquiries related to the St. John Ambulance Association have to be directed to the relevant local area branch. Does anybody know how I find out who to contact in the lancashire area? I am intrigued  and would like to find out a bit more about Harry Smith.

Regards

Doddie

Hi Dave, tech not my best I'm afraid. Hope things work. Have put 3 photos in one scan. Hope the outcome is okay. Two wedding photos and one of my step-grandfather with Sybil and Jack. Tried to send as part of a personal message but does not seem to have 'Attachments and other options' feature so have sent as part of main thread. Hope you don't mind.

Looking for details of a marriage that took place in Africa (possibly Kenya or Malawi) in late 1940s or early/mid 1950s (at a push it may have been even later). Frank Moran, a planter, born c. 1920 married Pamela Muller (Mueller), born c. 1924. Pamela was apparently born in Africa and her mother's surname was Campbell. Both parties are now deceased. I know some of the information is a very vague but what I have is as accurate as I have been able to ascertain thus far. I am particularly keen to establish Pamela's mother's first name. This research relates to a line of inquiry I am following about family in the West of Scotland.

Regards

Doddie

David, coincidence upon coincidence. My brother and I were down near Penrith lately continuing to clear out my father's house (he passed away towards the end of last year). I came across two things of interest. One was a British War Medal belonging to my step-grandfather. It turns out he served with the Royal Army Medical Corps during the First World War. I will be investigating this further. Secondly, I discovered an old battered photo album containing lots of photos from the 'Shiers period' of my dad's family. Thankfully my dad at some point went through the album writing all sorts of helpful information next to many of the photos. They include one of your father Leonard on his wedding day standing next to your mother and a rather impressive wedding cake. In another section of the album are two photos taken, I think, in the garden at Granville Street. Featured in the photos (according to my dad's annotation) are Harold's sister Sybil and brother Jack who are pictured in one instance with Harold and the other with my dad. The album is rather fragile and I have yet to have a more thorough look at the photos. Although, as I say, Harold was not a direct blood relative I still view him as my grandfather and as a family history enthusiast I am finding this of area of research very rewarding.

Regards

Doddie