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Wow – thanks Jon!

Yes, I had ordered the wrong certificate again of course, though nine years apart (like many I do this in fits and starts).

It was Keturah that I was now looking for primarily, with Harriet (my 2xg g’mother being the vector). It may have been my tree you were looking at (on Ancestry?). The Elliott angle is an interesting one – will look at that; it would be a strange coincidence and an interesting story somewhere in there! Incidentally I had a theory that Harriet gave herself the middle name Charlotte after her deceased little sister rather than having it from birth. You finding Keturah’s details is a great help though – thanks! The Langford name had crossed on my radar briefly but I hadn’t been able to zero in on it properly until now. Clearly plenty to work on.

Cheers,

Neil

So from the ID card found by ShaunJ, we know he was a steward on the Venezuela, formerly the Adolph Woermann (surrendered to Britain as war reparations, but that's going rather off-topic...) The ship passed through the ownership of the David Steamship Company to the Grace Line. None of which helps with the 'RC' initials, but we've made progress!

A close-up here of that offical stmap, BTW, from the version of the photo that I didn't digitally crop...

There are only two matches in 1939 one is a Carman & Hand Lorry in Essex the other is a General Labourer in Lewisham...I wonder if the "C" stands for Council
Carol

The Lewisham one would be him, in Cheseman Street I suspect. Yes, I must get round to running through the 1939 register

Thanks!

Thanks all for the thoughts so far. Yes, I have ruled out Red Cross now too.

Thinking about this, the photo was probably inter-war, when he may have had a few diferent jobs including, apparently, a stint in Australia working (according to family lore) on the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

The suggestion of a hotel employee is interesting; he was a labourer and ex-policeman so I wouldn't rule out any number of jobs.

As for the embossing - that is all we have I'm afraid. It's the wrong proportions for a (modern) passport photo but I guess it could be that?

Thanks,

Neil

Harriet SMITH born 25/9/1857 to Hubert and Mary Ann Smith (nee Sturgeon) at 3 Little Denmark, North St. Giles, Middlesex. St. Giles & St. George district Vol 1b p 361.

Was looking for 2xgt g'mother (so mine is probably the other Harriet Smith born same quarter in Strand district .. maybe!)