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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Sturdy on Thursday 29 May 25 10:48 BST (UK)

Title: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Thursday 29 May 25 10:48 BST (UK)
Good evening all,

I am working through a box of old photos with very few written clues, and those I do have I am struggling to read. The first is a WW1 sailor and written on the front is 'Harry' but on the back I can't read the surname. The second is an elderly gentleman. I think the first name is 'Ronald' but not sure of the name at all.

Looking for some assistance with these names. Greatly appreciated. - Sturdy 
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Neale1961 on Thursday 29 May 25 11:07 BST (UK)
Ronald Munro …..
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: tonepad on Thursday 29 May 25 12:41 BST (UK)
Ronald Munro Dryman?


Tony
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: tonepad on Thursday 29 May 25 12:44 BST (UK)
and the other name:

H. Molin


Tony
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: softly softly on Thursday 29 May 25 13:02 BST (UK)
Ronald Munro Dryman?


Tony


??

Dryman
R M
1888

1918
British Armed Forces, First World War Soldiers' Medical Records
Great Britain

SS
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Neale1961 on Thursday 29 May 25 14:10 BST (UK)
“To mother with best love
H Moll…”
Then “Moll…” was written over to make “ Monin”
 
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Thursday 29 May 25 21:13 BST (UK)
Thank you all for the suggestions. Not finding  either of the names suggested at this time but will get trying variations. Thank you for the assistance - Sturdy. (Ironically these are the only couple of photos written on and I can't read them)
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: mckha489 on Thursday 29 May 25 21:31 BST (UK)
Ronald Munro Dryman?


Tony


??

Dryman
R M
1888

1918
British Armed Forces, First World War Soldiers' Medical Records
Great Britain

SS

Think this man is Ronald Murray DRYNAN.
His marriage is on ancestry. Signature is nothing like the one posted.
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: tonepad on Friday 30 May 25 06:00 BST (UK)
The writing of Ronald etc on the photo is not necessarily his signature, could have been penned by someone else.

The death of Ronald Murray Drynan is registered in Willesden, England in 1954 at the age of 67.



Tony
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: tonepad on Friday 30 May 25 06:09 BST (UK)
Are there any clues on the front of the photo of the WW1 Sailor?
Any uniform badges, medals etc.


Tony
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Friday 30 May 25 06:50 BST (UK)
Taken in Melbourne Australia and dated for 1920. WW1 service.

Possibly linked to HMAS Adelaide in the 1924 as pamphlets relating to the Special Service Squadron tour, which that ship was part of. Went to Portsmouth, San Francesco and Canada I believe that year 
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: mckha489 on Friday 30 May 25 07:02 BST (UK)
Have you done the hard yards at NAA?

https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/ListingReports/ItemsListing.aspx
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: sparrett on Friday 30 May 25 07:23 BST (UK)
The link offered by macka will produce this.  May be the right chap.

MONIN HENRY MAURICE : Service Number - 5743 : Date of birth - 24 Aug 1897 : Place of birth - NOUMEA NEW CALEDONIA : Place of enlistment - SYDNEY : Next of Kin - VERA

A sevice record for a navyman.

His marriage
9232/1922
MONIN HARRY M
ASQUITH VERA M
At SYDNEY

A funeral notice for his father
 Morins Victor Morin the father of Harry Maurice
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/123131398

And for his mother
Death notice of the mother Josephine of Stockton in 1952
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/133724101

Celebrating the sailors including Harry Monin. 1940 NSW
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/106209405?searchTerm=%22harry%20monin%22

Sue
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: mckha489 on Friday 30 May 25 07:41 BST (UK)
Is the Ronald one an Australian photograph too?  Does it have photographers details on the image/mount
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Friday 30 May 25 10:20 BST (UK)
Thank you Sparret. I hadn't searched the NAA as I was struggling with the right name to search. I will delve into what you have suggested and see if it makes sense with the other photos I have.

In regard to the 1st photo (Ronald) that was taken in Broken Hill, NSW, Australia   
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Friday 30 May 25 10:35 BST (UK)
Well done Sparret I went searching and found this photo from another source. Spot on same man, I can now be sure we have the right ID for this sailor. Greatly appreciated
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: sparrett on Friday 30 May 25 12:22 BST (UK)
T

In regard to the 1st photo (Ronald) that was taken in Broken Hill, NSW, Australia   

Please can you post the photo with complete inclusions of mount and photographer's name if shown.
Sue
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Saturday 31 May 25 02:21 BST (UK)
Hope this helps. Personally I cant read the name at all!
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Neale1961 on Saturday 31 May 25 04:01 BST (UK)
Last name could be “Nyman” or “Hyman”
I’m still thinking first part is “Ronald Munro”
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 31 May 25 04:30 BST (UK)
SYKES the photographer. New to Broken Hill in 1908. I think the man's attire would agree with this era.


https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/45033131?searchTerm=%22%20sykes%20%20%20photogapher%20%20%22~5
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 31 May 25 04:56 BST (UK)
Here is a longshot.

Governor General Ronald Munro Ferguson

A visit to Broken hill in 1915
https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/59421949


Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Neale1961 on Saturday 31 May 25 05:32 BST (UK)
Sue, no, not such a long shot. The same man in those 2 photos.
Both have lump / mole below the lip, on left side of chin or jaw.
You could fit “Ferguson” into that signature.
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 31 May 25 06:29 BST (UK)
Sue, no, not such a long shot. The same man in those 2 photos.
Both have lump / mole below the lip, on left side of chin or jaw.
You could fit “Ferguson” into that signature.

Yes, i certainly can, though it is a strange F.

Plus a slightly haughty expression ;D

Anyhow, I think it has been reserved in the photo collection as a treasured portrait signed by the subject and acquired as a gift or someting like that.

Sue 
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: Sturdy on Saturday 31 May 25 08:25 BST (UK)
Well I will be. I came across the same images searching "Ronald Munro' and couldn't believe how similar they were, however I couldn't get Ferguson out of the signature or a link to Broken Hill. I didn't notice the lump on the chin -  Sue you are spot. That is him for sure. Thank you and well done 
Title: Re: Box of old photos - few clues
Post by: sparrett on Saturday 31 May 25 09:11 BST (UK)
Well, of course, he could be an ancestor, not a souvenir  ;D. Depending where or from whom you got the photo box.

Worth checking!

Sue