Sleuths required to identify suspect in police line-up

[ScouseBoy]

My guess it is the second from the left SITTING  down.

[fade2gray]

I think age is key here, the man pictured in the first pic circa 1925-30 looks to be a man in his 30's, the second picture taken 1945-55 the suspect has to be at least 40+ posssibly as much as 55-60.

Of course you are correct, but consider that I was often mistaken to be as much as 15yrs younger than I actually was in my 40s - till stress and lack of exercise took it's toll.  

[fade2gray]

My guess it is the second from the left SITTING  down.

Remember - he is highly unlikely to have had any medals.

[ScouseBoy]

Even if he did not go overseas during WW2  he still may  have got two medals.

[fade2gray]

I guess we can 'see' almost anything we want in an image.

Take the picture of the South African rally for example: I can see Jan Smuts / 'Uncle Sam',  JBM Hertzog / 'Sir John Mills', the guy in the dark fedora is 'Carey Grant' and 'me in my 20s' partially obscured by the brim of his hat.  

[ScouseBoy]

most of the police line up have medal ribbons, your suspect has none, is this a clue to your man?

Hi James,

There are no tangible clues as such, and I have never been shown a photo of my dad that anyone could point out and say, "That's him!"; my sil's friend can eliminate one in the line-up and possibly a second, but no-one's 100% sure about anything.

But you get 'brownie points for observation - I wondered about the medal ribbons or lack of, myself.

Dad was an able seaman/boatswain in the South African merchant navy when he met and married mum (becoming domiciled) in Stepney '36. After suffering a head injury at sea, dad left the merchant navy, and the family including two baby daughters left London to live with mum's grand-parents in B-O-A Wiltshire '42, when he joined the MOD police at Corsham. He never saw 'active duty' and is not thought to have had medals of any description.

There was a medal  called the Defence Medal  ( I think it was )     which I think he may have  been entitled to for his wartime service.

[fade2gray]

Have you asked people to look at photos of you alongside potential "suspects"   

Though my dad, brother and I were/am 6'2", they, although both 'skeletal', did not share the same facial features that my sisters can recall. I am bigger in build, looked nothing like my brother, and my sisters can neither confirm or dismiss that resemble my father.

My brother and sisters had all left home by the time I was 5yrs old and none of us are/were close.

[fade2gray]

There was a medal  called the Defence Medal  ( I think it was )     which I think he may have  been entitled to for his wartime service.

You make a good point; I suppose there is no good reason to dismiss the front row - I guess I have been 'blinkered' by others suggesting he is in the back row.

[Ruskie]

I don't think any in the front row resemble the man arrowed in the first photograph.

I read the first couple of replies suggesting the 6th man from the left, before checking the photos more closely but don't agree. I think your man is the fourth from the left (I see that others have also suggested this.