The Kent History Forum
Military History => Miscellaneous Military History => Topic started by: johnfilmer on February 08, 2021, 10:38:07 AM
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I have a photo of two uniformed men in a Henry Hill of New Brompton frame. Other photos by him of military gents in similar frames are usually described (ebay etc) as Victorian.
In trying to get a vague date I have checked the Census returns. He was born in Luton 8th July 1857, his father Thomas being a Grocer.
In 1881, aged 23, he was still with his family who by now were Grocers and Butchers at 1&3 Paget Street, Gillingham.
By 1891 he was married and living at Emmeline Villa, Canterbury Street, near the junction with Adelaide Road, and described as a Photographer. 1901 the family were at 156 Canterbury Street, and 222 Canterbury Street in 1911.
A 1903 Electoral Roll also shows him with a property at 123 High Street, New Brompton - roughly where Boots is on GSV. Was this the studio?
Any one with a Kelly's or two?
1939 Register has him retired to Bromley, where he died, aged 95 in 1952.
So the questions are:
What are the uniforms? When were they worn? Who are they, and why are they looking at notebooks?
I did wonder if one of them was Harold Smitherman, father of Frank (see other thread). Royal Engineers, Malta in 1911 then Mesopotamia before India during and after WW1.
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Johnf. As he is wearing a pith helmet, it's almost certain that would be in the Middle East- Britain were very active in Mespot ( Mesopotamia) around that time- or some other tropical "paradise"? If a sapper, the note book could well be for taking down readings given to him from the other colleague. Although possible, the setting looks too elaborate for a studio portrait.
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I would suggest you put the photo up on the Armed Forces Military Board of Rootschat.com. Some very knowledgeable folk on there.
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I had forgotten about that. When I tried to join before there was some issue with a btinternet email, but I'm now gmail so I'll try again.
Thanks for that
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If you have problems i can put it up for you. :)