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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Free Photo Restoration & Date Old Photographs => Topic started by: Pfig on Friday 04 March 22 16:45 GMT (UK)

Title: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Pfig on Friday 04 March 22 16:45 GMT (UK)
Hi, my grandfather was a POW for 4 years in Sennelager II during WW1.  The attached photo was in his belongings.  I had assumed that this may be someone who was special to him during his time working on German farms but I really have no idea.  It isn't my grandmother who he married in 1920 after coming back to Scotland.  Would appreciate suggestions as to whether this photo is likely to have been taken in Germany.  Can anyone tell by the surroundings/her clothing?  The reverse of the photo is stamped "Sennelager" and has been approved for issuing to him, so I think the photo would be German.  Thank you.
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: sarah on Friday 04 March 22 20:13 GMT (UK)
also see topic

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=859660.0
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Trishanne on Saturday 05 March 22 01:21 GMT (UK)
I notice on your other post that somebody thought the words on the building read as HAUS  I think it is definitely OUS but the letter in front may not be an H but something like an I and if you look  further to the left it looks as if the word could begin with an H. The lady appears to be wearing a lot of medals but whether she earned then herself or they belonged to her husband or son it is hard to say.
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Pfig on Saturday 05 March 22 08:19 GMT (UK)
Thank you Trishanne, you've got a keener eye than me, I didn't even notice the medals.  I thought it was a brooch or flowers.  Yes, a tantalising glimpse of the lettering through the trees, but just not enough to make it out  :-\
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Karen McDonald on Thursday 10 March 22 06:55 GMT (UK)
*Gentle bump*  :)

Does nobody have any ideas as to whether the lady's clothes might be British or German?  ???

I helped Pfig with the German writing on the back of the photo and (I'm so nosey...  ::)) would love to be able to help with actually locating it, but I'm no expert as regards dating/locating clothing styles...

Any comments/suggestions?
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Karen McDonald on Thursday 10 March 22 09:42 GMT (UK)
The reverse of the photo is stamped "Sennelager" and has been approved for issuing to him, so I think the photo would be German.

Not necessarily. Anything that was sent to someone in the camp would have been checked for dodgy content, prior to being cleared for release to them. And they certainly received letters and parcels from family/friends in England. These were opened and checked, then released (if there was nothing dodgy in them).
Whereby dodgy is, of course, a relative term...  ;)
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 10 March 22 10:08 GMT (UK)
I've jsut enlarged the photos and I don't think that they are medals as medals aren't worn like that. More like a floral piece.  Also, circa 1916 +/-


Add - over enlarged and have reduced it
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Gadget on Thursday 10 March 22 10:19 GMT (UK)
There looks to be a watch at top right of the cluster - ? a nurses watch.
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Treetotal on Thursday 10 March 22 16:41 GMT (UK)
Slightly off topic but you might find him here:

https://grandeguerre.icrc.org/en/File/Search/#/3/2/107/0/British%20and%20Commonwealth/Military/capes%20john

Carol
Title: Re: Restoration not required, German photo
Post by: Pfig on Friday 11 March 22 10:40 GMT (UK)
I've looked through the database but can't see him.  Thanks everyone for your help with this one.  I guess this will be another photo with a mystery background!