Photos of Admiral Jellicoe and Lord Kitchener

[Brewins girl]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this question as it's a bit off-piste, but here goes. I have found these two photographs in a little photo album belonging to my late great aunt b 1894 or possibly my grandmother b 1887, so both adults during WW1. One is of Admiral Jellicoe, the other of Lord Kitchener. Both have been cut to fit into a circular picture frame, diameter around 7cm. The photographs are fairly common, appearing in newspapers and magazines at the time, but I'm puzzled as to how she acquired actual photographs, and why she might have had them on display. Any theories (backed up by evidence if possible) greatfully received.

PS It was disappointing to realised that neither of them were family members!

[MaxD]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/SHIPPING-ADMIRAL-Sir-JOHN-R-JELLICOE-1914-Real-Photograph-Postcard/293075653698

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FOUR-EARLY-POSTCARDS-BRITISH-ARMY-COMMANDERS-c-1900-KITCHENER-ROBERTS-BOER/202842223457?hash=item2f3a56b361:g:7IwAAOSwvMBd54DD

Postcards??  Why on display - heroes of the time.

MaxD

[Brewins girl]

Thank you yet again MaxD. My husband said he thought they were postcards not photos shortly after I'd posted my question. Being so young (!!!) it hadn't occurred to me to think more laterally and to put myself into the 1914++ frame of mind! Neither Kitchener nor Jellicoe had unblemished records - reminds me of one or two current prominent figures whose misdemeanours or indiscretions can be overlooked by some, who nevertheless view them as heroes of our time!

I hadn't known that Kitchener originated the term 'concentration camps' - when he imprisoned women and children farmers in Africa during the dreadful Boer War. You learn something new every day!

[Jebber]

Perhaps members of the family served under them, it was not unusual to keep souvenirs of famous people in such circumstances. Sometimes they named their children after well known military figures, or even famous battles.

  I have a booklet about Lord Roberts, my grandfather having served under him. After  my grandfather’s death in 1916, my grandmother kept the booklet, together with a letter to my grandfather from Lord Roberts.

[Brewins girl]

What a wonderful piece of history you have Jebber. I'd love to think there was a similar story in the case of my photos/postcards, but I rather think there's a more mundane explanation.

[MaxD]

Two random thoughts prompted by the above.

The MaxD residence is on a corner plot and the road at the front has our address .  The road that runs to the side however that has our driveway entrance is Kitchener Road.

Like I suspect many fathers, mine had the odd annoying habit when I was young.  When asked if he had something or other, his stock reply was "No but I've got a picture of Lord Roberts and a threepenny bit".

 

[philipsearching]

Two random thoughts prompted by the above.

The MaxD residence is on a corner plot and the road at the front has our address .  The road that runs to the side however that has our driveway entrance is Kitchener Road.

Like I suspect many fathers, mine had the odd annoying habit when I was young.  When asked if he had something or other, his stock reply was "No but I've got a picture of Lord Roberts and a threepenny bit".

 

And another random thought:

It is interesting to see how many children were given the names of heroes of the time (particularly military) or battles in late Victorian and Edwardian days.
For example - births Jun qtr 1900: 37 named Mafeking (on FreeBMD)

[Treetotal]

At least you knew who they were and didn't claim them as Family....some years ago, someone posted a photo of her "Grt.Grt.Grandmother" asking for a date of when it would most likely have been taken. It was a Carte de Visite of a Queen Victoria, when this was explained to her, the lady was adamant that it was a photo of her relative otherwise why would she have it in her album?? A little Googling provided the answer
Carol 

[Brewins girl]

That made me laugh Carol. I think the question "why would someone have a photo (of Queen Vic) in her album" is similar to my question about why my aunt or grandmother would frame photos of Kitchener and Jellicoe, for which MaxD offered an explanation - "heroes of the time". I pity future genealogists trying to make sense of 'selfies' with celebrities!

I love your father's response to the question did he have something or other MaxD - I am NOT going to tell my husband!

Now, as to children being given the names of heroes & places (as in Mefeking) is that better than being named after an advert for Reckitt's bath cubes? Yes,  that was me. I have even found said advert