RootsChat.Com
Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Rossdal3 on Sunday 13 January 08 04:03 GMT (UK)
-
No sure about which war, but I would love this picture restored if someone could be kind enough please?
regards,
Jill
-
Hi Jill ;)
It is definitely a First World War photo, but as none of them is wearing a hat showing the regimental badge, it will be difficult to name their regiment.
It is a super photo! Is one of them your ancestor?
Judy ;)
-
Hi Judy,
Yes, the gentleman sitting down, we think is William Gaunt, if this is WW1 then it is most likely to be him, he was born abt. 1885. He lived in Bradford. I'll see if I can find another photo with the hat evident.
thanks so much for the feedback on this!
regards,
Jill
-
a quick restore
-
Wow this is a wonderful job, thanks so much. The detail is amazing, right down to the mud on his boots!!
Cheers,
Jill
-
Heres my effort.
Mike.
-
It's lovely Mike! Thank you so much. Do you agree that the photo would be WW1. I have just been reflecting that the person that we think that is, was born in 1885. Would he have been a bit old for service in WW1 do you think?
Cheers,
Jill
-
Hi,
I'm no expert, but cant resist putting my nose in! It would have to be a mounted regiment going by the spurs they are wearing (of course stating the obvious!)
Bev
-
Thanks for your input Bev. Everyone is more of an expert than I am on this matter, so all help is gratefully received. And of course you're right, I had never even noticed the spurs!!!!!
regards,
Jill
-
Hi Judy,
This is the best I can find in terms of a hat! This is William's brother Edwin born 1881. It looks like the same uniform, but on reflection, it's the age that is making me doubt that it's WW1 was there anything else going on around that time?
regards,
Jill
-
Here we go! The full set. This would be brother Harry born inn 1896. The uniform does look the same, but a big gap in age !
regards,
Jill
-
Edwin was an artillery man.
The NA has medal cards for two Edwin Gaunts of the Royal Field Artillery http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/documentsonline/medals.asp
-
If it helps any, Field Artillery had mounted units. My husband's father was a lead rider. He rode the lead horse pulling the gun.
Cheers,
Leonie.
-
I don't think he would have been to old to serve in WW1 as at least two of my great grandfathers born in the 1880's served.
-
Looking at William , is his left eye false , or is a trick of the light ?
Jim
-
Jill,
Edwin's photograph was taken after 1915 as he is wearing headwear which was commonly known as a "gor blimey" cap which had ear flaps that came down and tied under the chin. When not in use the flaps were tied on top of the crown of the cap as in this photograph. By 1917 this headwear was being replaced by another style.
old rowley
-
Another point about William, the singal vertical stripe on his left arm , doesn't that mean a death of a brother in action or something like that ?
Jim
-
It is a wound stripe, Jim which would indicate that he had been wounded in a theatre of war. If he had been discharged from the Army during the war due to his wound(s) then it may also be indicated on his medal card as he would have been awarded a silver war badge to wear on his lapel.
old rowley
-
thank you all for the help here. It is very enlightening.
Jim you are right, the eye certainly looks false and I will check with my Dad tomorrow to see if he rembers a family member who might have had a glass eye. I'll also checkwith him about Edwin, because I don't think he actually survived the war!
It's early AM where I am in Aust. now!
-
Does anyone know what Harry's "grenade" arm badge signifies? I have a photo of a Yorkshire Light Infantry mortar crew who are wearing a similar badge.
-
Hi Jill
sorry if I gave you the impression I was an expert on army uniforms!! Unfortunately not!! You have had some good replies though, and lovely restorations. Old Rowley has really narrowed down the date of your first photo for you!! I certainly think he could be your granddad - he looks to be in his early thirties to me. Several of my great uncle were of that age when they enlisted in WW1.
If I were you I would post the photos on to the Armed Forces WW1 board, as there are lots of experts there who can identify badges etc!
Good luck, Judy ;)
-
Here's a touch of colour, if anyone can correct me on the colouration of the buttons and insignia , I will amend it.
OR ,
Thanks for the reminder about the stripe , so it could be how he got the glass eye !
Jim
-
Nice job with the restoration. The unifrom would have been less green and more khaki (lightish brown)
RobertS
-
Thanks RobertS, I shall change that now.......watch this space ;D
Jim
-
Hello Robert,
I have modified the uniform , could you tell me if the buttons are correct or should they be brass ?
Jim
-
Thanks Jim, the colour photo is outstanding! I spoke to my Dad this morning, William was his uncle, and he has no recollection of anyone saying that he had a glass eye, not that means much as William died long before he was born.
My Mum has found a photo of his grave in France, it seems he was killed in the war! Dad will scan the photo and I'll post to see how clear the inscription is!
Dad thinks they were in the KOYLIs (Bradford Pals) does this mean anything to anyone?
regards,
Jill
Thanks for all the great information everyone!
-
KOYLI stands for Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry which as the name suggests was an infantry regiment rather than artillery.
old rowley
-
Well, I have the photo of Williams grave. It's very confronting!! I really didn't expect anything quite like this.
This is all there is. The back of the photo had "Willie died April 28th 1917" written on it.
Cheers,
Jill
-
GAUNT, WILLIAM
Initials: W
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Bombardier
Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery
Unit Text: 7th Div. Ammunition Col.
Age: 32
Date of Death: 28/04/1917
Service No: 21144
Additional information: Husband of Emma Gaunt, of II, Newington St., City Rd., Bradford, Yorks.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: IV. H. 42.
Cemetery: DUISANS BRITISH CEMETERY, ETRUN
Rog
-
Well, I have the photo of Williams grave. It's very confronting!! I really didn't expect anything quite like this.
This is all there is. The back of the photo had "Willie died April 28th 1917" written on it.
Cheers,
Jill
Oh wow ! how wonderful to have a photo of the original Jill !
There are VERY few of those around !
Here's the medal card of Gaunt, William
Royal Field Artillery
21144
Bombardier
Royal Field Artillery
21144
Bombardier
Date
1914-1920
http://www.rootschat.com/links/02je/
Annie :)
-
I've just stumbled across this topic, what a photo of the cross Jill :( so emotive) Sorry If i missed something but who took it?
Cheers
Tony
-
I hope you don't mind but I have done a clean up for you.
Irene
-
hello Jill,
I have just put this together.
Jim
-
How poignant that is Jim !
Annie ( with a lump in her throat ! )
-
Wow Jim, thats nice.
Irene
-
Thank you all for your kindness. Jim that last photo is just unbelievable, a real tear jerker!!
I didn't grow up with the effects of war, (wars on terror aside) I'm a 50s kid and I have never heard anyone ever talk about their war losses, nor did I see these photos growing up! I'm feeling the loss with full force this morning though, the waste, the pain is enormous which most of you would know I'm sure.
thank you, so much from the bottom of my heart!!!!
Jill
-
Jill,
You are welcome , the photos just went together.
I too am a fifties kid , but I have been to the graveyard overlooking Passchendaele , where there are hundreds and hundreds of graves , the silence screams at you. Or if you were to go to the Menin gate when they play the Last Post , you start to get a sense of the loss. we can never feel what they did.
Jim
-
Hi Tony,
I asked my Dad if he knew who had taken the picture. He said it came by post from the Graves Comission and was sent to Wiliam's Mum, Mary Ann Gaunt. Dad thinks that it was common practice for the army to take the pictures when they buried the men! Luckily my Grandmother Clara Gaunt kept after it after her mother's death and someone cared enough to pass it on to us.
Cheers,
Jill
-
Jim, that photo is so evocative! Like Annie, it brought a lump to my throat and a tear to my eye.
-
Absolutely brill, Jim.
Cheers,
China
-
Hello again Jill,
Here's another Late ish one. :)
Jim
-
Thanks Jim! I really love it!
I spent all day yesterday researching this WW1 battle that ended in so much loss and in William's death specifically! I've never had the stomach for it and still don't. I do though appreciate much more, the very great sacrifice that these men made and it did reinforce the horror of the times they lived through. I've been staunch anti war all my life, but this year I'll buy a poppy!!!
I had a small hope that maybe someone might look at this site and recognise the others in the picture. I would love to know who they were and for them to have their life mean something once more, as William's has been commemorated over these last few days.
My Dad was really choked up when he looked at the work you did with these, and he will love this when I show him too!!!
with much gratitude,
Jill
-
Hello Jill,
I'm glad it was appreciated , just doing my bit to hopefully make people happier.
The expression 'the great sacrifice' is so often used , but I have always thought that it was akin to mass murder. Sending troops against machine guns , head on !
Quite a few of the generals of the day , still had the mindset of the charge of the light brigade days.
I believe it was something like 20 million people died in that war (on all sides) not forgetting about half a million horses.
Cheerful Jim
-
Hi Jill............Heres a colour version to add to your collection.
Carolyn :)
-
You Guys are good. One day I hope to be as much use as you Good People. Well Done Carolyn and Jim.
Thelma.
-
Hi Jill !
When you're all done here ... you might like to put one of your photos on the Armed Forces board .... somebody looking for Army relatives may recognise them !!
Just a thought !
Annie :)
-
Thanks for the beautiful colour pic saddles! I will treasure all these fantastic pics!
Thelma I too hope that I can learn to be as useful to others as you have all been to me!
Annie, I was wondering if it was appropriate to post on the WW1 board or whether it would be a double up! I will post the pic now, as I would love it if someone recognised one of the others on the picture.
Cheers,
Jill
-
Hi Jill........Heres another colour for your collection.
Carolyn :)
-
It's really lovely Carolyn, thank you so much!
regards,
Jill
-
Thanks to Thelma and Jill for your kind words !
Carolyn :) :)
-
Carolyn, those two pics are stunning!! :o :o :o :o
-
Oh my, Carolyn!
China
-
Jill
From the Bradford Roll of honour:
William Gaunt 11 Newington St ,Royal Field Artillery Bombardier Enlisted :4th Sept 1916
Edwin Gaunt 182 Priestman St Royal Field Artillery D Battery 46th Brigade En: 26th August 1914
Harry Gaunt 131 Priestman St 1/6th West Yorks Regiment En: 3rd Sept 1914
1/6th was a Bradford Territorial unit there is a history written on them wouldnt surprise me if Edwin was a Territorial too as they both joined up early.
Also Williams obituary is in the Bradford Weekly Telegraph 1/6/17
Wiiliam Gaunt worked at Ackroyds(BDA) At City Rd
He leaves a widow and 3 children.
There are 7 other Gaunts on the list if you have any other Bradford Gaunts there are two Brothers who were "Bradford Pals" 18th batt West Yorkshires.
Glad to help.
Ady
-
Ady,
Thanks so much for this wonderful information. We were just discussing last night whether William had left any children behind. Dad never heard them spoken about when he was growing up, he hadn't ever been told that William married.
My paternal Grandmother was William's sister, although she would only have been 15 years old when he died. She spoke to me about 'our Willie' a lot and the fact that he was killed in the war, but she never once mentioned his widow or children.
I'll have to wait until the 1911 census comes out to discover more about them I guess.
kind regards,
Jill
-
Hi Rossdal
If you live locally, you could check the newspaper obituaries to see if you could find any mention of his death. They would probably include the names of his wife and children.
Judy ;)
-
Hi Judy,
I live about as far away from Bradford as is possible, in Australia in fact! I am pretty limited to Ancestry to find out anything about my English past, although it is a fantastic tool to have.
This year I was lucky enough to meet a first cousin of my Dad's (she's my age) on Ancestry and she was able to give me information about one side of our tree, which got me started on this addictive journey! In August I'm going to meet up with her and we are going to tour the cemeteries around the Bradford Calverley Pudsey areas, for more information about our descendants. I have already started a list of things to look up and check out while I'm there, although it had not yet occurred to me to check newspaper obituaries, but it's now on the top of my list!!!!
Thanks to all you Rootschatters for all the good hints and pieces of advice and glorious photos that I've been given on this topic, I really appreciate you all taking the time.
How does one ever get cured of this family tree addiction?
regards,
Jill
-
Hi Judy
Cure ??? ??? ???
:) :) :) :D :D :D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Irene
-
Yes Irene! That's pretty much what I guessed!! ;D
-
Having just read through this thread, I can honestly say that this is one of the most moving things I have read in a long time. You all went on a voyage of discovery together.
When I looked at the very first original photo I thought something had been written in the mud by William's foot, just above the white number 3227. I thought it looked like William had written EMMA with the end of his walking stick.
Reading through the thread, I discover that his wife was named Emma.
I may be seeing things but I thought it before I read that his wife was Emma.
Can somebody else have a look and see what they make of it.
Regards
Ruby
-
Wow, I think you are right. It definitely looks like he has written Emma.
Well spotted. ;D ;D
Irene
-
Oh my goodness Ruby! You're right! I had noticed it as well originally, but made nothing of it until you pointed it out! That's so special!
When I set out on this journey, my intention was to look more deeply at the children in the family whose lives were cut short by accident or disease. I wanted to make their short lives mean something! I wanted a way to speak to my Grandchildren about their everyday stuggles and awful work they had to do when they were still children (ie. quite a few of ours were Hurriers). It is my intention to have all their photos made into a collage. William kind of forced himself to the top of the pile, and what a journey it's been.
This is one of those forums which gives meaning to the "group being more than the sum of its parts".
A thousand thanks!
Jill
-
Here is a close up
-
Ruby - that's amazing. You have a wonderful eye for detail
-
Well, I'm not usually very observant but it jumped out at me in that first photo. Jill, it does make the photo extremely precious from a family history point of view.
Its also precious because I just can't help thinking how much he must have missed her.
Just one more thing, there is a tiny bit of mud on the end of the stick.
Regards
Ruby
-
A great photo! Could it be from the Boer War - what was that 1900 - 1901?
-
Irene, I love the close up you did of the etching of EMMA in the sand. I just sent it off to Dad! We had all glossed over it, never thinking anything of it until it was pointed out.
We would never have "got it" without all of you!
Jill
-
A great photo! Could it be from the Boer War - what was that 1900 - 1901?
Thanks for your interest in this thread Cosmos. Initially my thoughts were that it may have been an earlier war, but the evidence says overwhelmingly that this is a picture from WW1.
Cheers,
Jill
-
http://www.bradford.gov.uk/information_and_communication/library_and_information_services/libraries_local_studies.htm
Jill
Bradford Local Studies Library Floor 5 "Gallant Heroes"bit has Williams Obituary from the paper on a file listed alphabetically so you can see it when youre over.
Need ZZs now.
Ady
-
Hi,
Good catch on 'Emma". It may have been asked before, but what did 3227 stand for.
Bev
-
hi Bev, I have no immediate answer on what 3227 stands for. My immediate thoughts are that it may be the photographers way of keeping track of the photos, but I will check out the original print when I go around to Dads and look at how it is printed on there.
One thing I've learnt on this journey, is never discount any hint and never just assume anything!
Cheers,
Jill
-
I'd have thought it was the negative number...but.... :D
What a fantastic thread...and if "Emma" hadn't had a square drawn around the lettering it might likely not have been picked up by present company...it's pretty obscure... Great catch!
Cheers,
China
-
How does one ever get cured of this family tree addiction?
hi Jill! As Irene said, as she was falling about laughing ;D ;D - you can't! Once you are hooked, might as well accept your fate and enjoy it!!
Wonderful news about your new-found cousin in Yorkshire!! And how exciting that you are coming over to visit all your ancestral haunts!! Hope you have a fabulous time!!
Also, I hope that this year you will "wear your poppy with pride" as you remember William and all the other millions who gave their lives in this, and every other, terrible war.
Best wishes, Judy ;)
-
Many thanks for the best wishes Judy and for all your help with this. It's been a remarkable few days. I never knew such kindness and generousity existed until I took a punt and posted on RootsChat!
You are all remarkable human beings!! Thank you all!
Jill
-
I am pretty limited to Ancestry to find out anything about my English past,
regards,
Jill
Not quite Jill! You have your new-found Rootschat family now ;) ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D
-
Not quite Jill! You have your new-found Rootschat family now ;) ;) :D :D :D :D :D :D
Indeed I do and it's a great feeling! It's nice to feel part of this family, thank you all! ;D
-
Could this be William's marriage found on freeBMD site,
December Qtr 1904 William Gaunt. - Emma Cooper. Bradford District Vol;96 page 89
old rowley
-
You beat me to it OR...
Its the only one that could be in the right time frame
and it looks like Emma may have remarried in Kent (David Cooper - possible relative?) after the war
Children are harder to find as they are born pre- 1911 when mothers maiden names were added...
this is the only one post 1911 that is a possibility
Male Gaunt june 1914 Belpher 7b 1349 mmn Cooper
-
Yes I'm pretty sure you're right about Emma Cooper being his bride. It adds up. At 15 she was working as a worsted spinner. my guess is that they would have met at Ackroyds where William was a dyer, before he joined the army.
I noticed that an Edwin Gaunt also married in 1904. The page I looked at though had 2 men and only 1 woman on it, so can't tell who he married. We thought they had both died as single men until the last couple days.
I did see an Emma Cooper Gaunt born 1908, but as she died in Manchester I can't really be sure that she is theirs.
Jill
-
Message fr Jim from page 2 of the thread.
Jim
You asked about the colour of the buttons. They would be brass. Apologies for not replying earlier, this is my first visit in ages.
Good job on the re-colouring.
Regards
RobertS
-
Thanks for popping back in RobertS!
I have a query that you may be able to answer on WW1 medals!
Ancestry recently released the British Army Medal Rolls Index Cards for 1914-1920. The entry for William Gaunt reg. no 21144 says that his qualifying date was 13.7.15, and the reason was for being in a Theatre of War in France and that he was dead! The date of his death was however 28.4.17. Does anyone have an explanation please?
Cheers,
Jill
-
Hi Jill
Here's a tidy from me.
Caz
-
Thanks Caz, lovely clean-up! Cheers, Jill
-
Medal Index Card for William is on Ancestry
Nothing on the back though.
Let me know if you want a copy
-
Yes please! I would appreciate a copy of what you have found, thank you!
Jill
-
Hi Jill
Have sent you a message.
Regards
Fred
-
Thanks for all your helpand information on this!!
It's very special to have a copy of the memorial scroll as well as all the other things that RootsChatters have kindly looked up and done for me!
Kindest Regards,
Jill
-
Thanks for all your helpand information on this!!
It's very special to have a copy of the memorial scroll as well as all the other things that RootsChatters have kindly looked up and done for me!
Kindest Regards,
Jill
-
To everyone of you who helped me with this - THANK YOU! ;D
It'seems such a long time ago now, but I'm so grateful to everyone who helped on this thread and I wanted to update you on what has happened since.
I tracked down the 3 children born to William and Emma, listed on the death notice, thanks to the 1911 census. Their names were Amy b.1905, Edith b. 1908 and John (Jack) b.1911. Through finding an Ancestry tree with the name of an in-law of Williams on it, I got an email contact who was a first cousin of William's Granddaughter, a lving descendant.
This cousin passed on my contact details and yesterday I received a lovely letter from my second cousin who was thrilled to make contact. The wonderful thing is that this thread has managed to produce the only information available to her about her Grandad, as a fire at her Mother's house many years ago, destroyed all photos and letters from him. I can't replace those, but at least now she has one photo, beautifully restored by RootsChatters and rich information about him to show her children and Grandchildren. Plus I can send photos of William's siblings and and her Gt Grandmother to her as well.
This forum does so much good - thank you again fom the bottom of my heart!
Bless you all!
Jill :-* :-* :-*
-
Hi Judy....A late entry on this one.
Carolyn :)
-
Thanks Carolyn, that's a lovely colour interpretation of the photo - Jill :) :D ;D
-
My suggestion would be Royal Horse Artillery, location most likely in the UK on training.