Birmingham Victorian and Edwardian people in photographs

 Our collection of Birmingham Victorian and Edwardian people in photographs

Although I buy primary named photographs and ephemera. I occasionally pick up unnamed photographs - just because they came from Birmingham or other areas local to where I was bought up. So I have decided to add these unnamed pictures to this blog post. Maybe someone will recognise him or her. Or just for general interest. Faces not lost in time but on display. 

This is the first gentleman of Birmingham.

A young man probably in his twenties or early thirties with generous whiskers that end in a short beard. With his Sunday, coat, tie and shirt. Displaying a watch chain. 

The photographer was T Pope of 86 New Street in Birmingham. T Pope was an artist and photographer. Haven't found much information yet on this photographer, but I wonder if he is related to Henry Martin Pope, Birmingham artist who married Phoebe Hands - one of my ancestors? 

Another unnamed photograph taken in Moseley, Birmingham during the Victorian times. It shows a young lady who has quite frizzy hair and is probably in her late teens. It was taken by W Baker of Highgate Studios 110 Moseley Road in Birmingham, England. Number 913A 

This portly gentleman photograph, I actually brought from eBay. He looked so like my late brother and as the photograph was taken in Birmingham. I think it may be an ancestor. Taken by A Letalle (from Paris) who too photographs from 58 and 59 New Street, Birmingham, England. Someone has added to the top, died 18 April 1880. Still working out who he may be!!

Just pop back soon for any updates added. 

Lawrence Albert McPhun died aged 16 in World War One

 Laurie McPhun (also spelt Lawrie McPhun) was just 16 when he lost his life during World War One. 

This photograph I found on eBay a few years ago now. I have been researching my soon to be son in law's family history and so I looked at this photo - because it was photographed by Mansfield of 245, Anlaby Road, Hull. Also on the back was a small newspaper cut out all about this cute little boy's unfortunate death at such an early age.

The newspaper cutting has the date 1918 written in pencil at the bottom and says; 

Lawrie McPhun of 12 Tynemouth Street aged 16 years and an old Clifton Street scholar has succumbed to injury received through his ship being torpedoed on May 27th. After being rescue, he was conveyed to a cottage hospital but died the following day. The body was conveyed to the railway station with naval and military honours, the hospital staff sending wreaths and the funeral took place at the Hull Western General cemetery last Thursday. The mourner's included the deceased's uncle (Captain Donovan) commander of the torpedoed vessel. Before joining the ship deceased was a junior clerk with Messrs Dumoulin and Gosschalk of Hull. 

Other information following research on Laurie McPhun

On the Commonwealth War Graves website it has the following:

Lawrence Albert McPhun died on the 26th May 1918.

He was a steward's boy on the SS Kyarra (Fremantle WA) 

Being in the Mercantile Marines he is on the Tower Memorial in London.

He was the son of Mrs Louisa McPhun of 12 Tynemouth Street, Hull.

6 people lost their lives on the sinking of SS Kyarra and was at that time a troop transporter.

Laurence Albert McPhun was born in 1902 JQ Sculcoates with his mother's maiden name Donovan.

His death was registered in Wareham 1918 under Laurie McPhun JQ.

I am sure there are ancestors of the family that would like to see this or be returned. Just leave me a message on this blog. I look at all before I publish any information. 

Nurse June receiving her prize for completing her training in Plymouth 1959

 Prize giving on the 5th November 1959 to nurse June.

I found this photograph below in an envelope with another photo at the Chelford car boot sale. The black and white photograph was taken Plymouth and has the date on the back. Also it has "To Auntie Jen with love from June" 

 

The envelope was addressed to - Mr & Mrs P (or D) Goulding, "Sunnyfield" Higher Rd, Breage, Helston, Cornwall. It was sent in 1962 from the postmark. This would be June having qualified as a nurse being presented with her hospital badge and certificate of nursing or midwifery.

In the envelope was another photo from March 1917. 

On the back of this small postcard photograph is the date March 1917 and it has the address to send to - Miss Jen Williams, 24 Shaftesbury ST, C On M (Chorlton On Medlock) Manchester.

Well I have spend all day researching the link or to find out anything about the two photographs. I have come up with many possibilities but no real link. So here they are. Do you recognise anyone or have any information about these two women. Or have links. Please leave a message on this blog. I look at all the replies before allowing them to be published.

Old wedding telegrams from 1969 - Mr & Mrs Dains Stockport found

 Found some old wedding telegrams sent to Mr & Mrs J Dains in 1969.

Last year I came across three old wedding telegrams at a car boot sale in Chelford, Knutsford. As usual I brought them from the vendor, who looked to be selling house clearance items. They were sent to a Mr and Mrs John Dains to the Belgrave Hotel in Stockport on the occasion of their wedding in 1969. 

Sent the 5th April 1969 to John Dains, at the Belgrave hotel, Dialstone Lane, Hazelgrove, Stockport, Cheshire. "Congratulations and best wishes, Mike and Jacky" who sent it from London.

Also "Congratulations and sincere wishes from Margaret and Johnny at Breage" Who sent this telegram from Breage in Cornwall.

And lastly "Love and best wishes for many joyous years Hubert and May", Sent from St Ives.

What happened to Mr & Mrs Dains?

Looking at the records - Hubert John S Dains past away in 2011. He was born in 1926. Edna Dains (nee Lynch) has also passed away in the more recent 2020's. Edna was born in 1925. Both having lived and died in the Stockport area.  When they married this couple would have been in their 40's - so may have had no children. But there may be other relatives out there who would be interested in the telegrams to add to their family history?

Telegrams are however a thing of the past and should be preserved, especially if they include the works of an artist. The animal picture's were painted by the artist Harry Titcombe. A wildlife artist and illustrator, who specialized in bird pictures. Harry unfortunately passed away in 2016 aged 82, but he left behind some beautiful works of art.