World War One Pictures of Troops.
Two queries in one week suggested that it would be useful to add some more information about World War One photographs of troops. (see Troop Movements in Hertfordshire during World War One.) Many of the photographs would have been taken by professional photographers and some would have been sold specifically to record the presence of the troops in the area.
The above photograph is one of a series produced in Hemel Hempstead, almost certainly in 1914, which showed the Royal Field Artillery in the town. [from The London Gunners come to Town] Others would have been the equivalent of news photographs - taken by a local professional photographer of a particular unit marching through the town, hoping to sell copies to the soldiers, their relatives, and those with whom they had been billeted. The following card probably falls into this category.
It shows troops wearing sun helmets (were they going to the Middle East?) accompanied by civilians (possibly wives and girl friends seeing them off overseas) marching through a town. The card is from Steve Snow who is trying to find out when and where it was taken. A sign in the background reads "Broad & Patey - House Agents" and Barbara Chapman reports that this is a Watford company - so the scene might be somewhere in that town. (Many troops stationed in the area marched to Watford Railway Station before going overseas.) Can You help identify the photo?
Before going overseas it was very fashionable to have a photograph taken in uniform - and local photographers undoubtedly found this a profitable activity, and for many who never came back these photographs are the only surviving pictures. The following photograph shows Corporal Frank Corporal Frank Hurdle, Signal Company, Royal Engineers 2/1st N. Midland Division. He had fought in the Boer War, and worked in the Post Office in Alexandra Road, Hemel Hempstead, before returning to the army. After the war he became head postmaster in Tring. [from The London Gunners come to Town]
The need for a good portrait in uniform was not confined to the army as can be seen in these photographs of my uncle John Locke, of Hemel Hempstead, (merchant navy) and my aunt, Muriel Locke (nurse at Hemel Hempstead Hospital).
Photos of troops in hospital were also common, as this postcard taken at Boxmoor House, Hemel Hempstead shows.
Unfortunately such photographs can be difficult to identify unless someone has recorded the details. Maureen Knight is looking for one taken at South Mimms Sanatorium which shows her grandfather Mark Michael Bennet. He lived at 23 Harefield Rd, Tottenham and was married to Margaret, nee Barnes. He was discharged as medically unfit in 1916 after developing tuberculosis during active service in France with the Royal Garrison Artillery, and died on January 1925, aged 45. Unfortunately the photograph has been mislaid and she hopes that someone else has a copy ....
If you can add to the information given above tell me.