Soldier search Auction bidder wants to reunite photo with family
ARETIRED Bristol publican wants a photograph of a group of soldiers to be reunited with the family which owned it.
James Overy, 67, bought a box at an auction on Saturday, June 19, after his eye was caught by an oil painting among the items inside.
It was only after making the purchase that he noticed the box also included a black and white photograph which once belonged to a Mrs Blacker, who lived in Eastville.
Mr Overy, who ran the Jersey Lily on Whiteladies Road and the Merchants Arms in Eastville, would like to see the photo returned to the family and he is appealing for help from anyone with information.
He said: “I just thought the Blacker family deserve to have it back. I’ve acquired some historical photographs of my own family, and I’m still seeking others, so I just thought there might be genealogical interest.”
The photo, which Mr Overy bought at Wessex Auction Rooms near Chippenham, has the following words on the back, written in pencil: “Mrs Blacker, 23 Victoria Rd, Eastville. Remount this & make same size as other photo, 1 1/2 fancy oak with slip, 9/6 the two.”
The work was done by JM Cooke, 19 Palace Road, Hornsey, London, and the framing by Thomas Bennett, 132 North Road, Bedminster.
Mr Overy said: “The photograph has got to be early 20th century. I’m wondering if it’s like a pals’ regiment from World War One. You can’t make out the insignia or the drums.
“Because everyone thought the war would be over by Christmas and a bit of an adventure, you had large groups of friends joining up, or people who were all part of the
same family, or went to the same pub.
“They all joined together and became known as pals’ regiments. It was all voluntary.
“It could be something as simple as a boys’ brigade.”
Mr Overy had known there were photographs in the box but did not initially pay attention to them because he had only been interested in the oil painting.
“The painting was of four red coats drinking ale in an inn back in the 1600s,” he said. “It was not attributed to anyone that we could find anything about, but it was just an agreeable thing.”
He does not believe the items in the box, which cost less than £20, are related.
“What the auction house seems to do is put one painting someone really likes and lump it with stuff people may not like, things like faded posters and prints,” Mr Overy added.
If you have any information which could help reunite the photograph with the family which owned it, you can email Mr Overy at jamesovery@hotmail.com