Ernest Jobling , Jarrow (1895-1970)

[Tickettyboo]

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

[japeflakes]

..

[jim1]

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:

[brigidmac]

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 !

[Trishanne]

One from me
Pat

[McGroger]

Lovely job, Pat.
Peter

[Tickettyboo]

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

[Tickettyboo]

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

[Tickettyboo]

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