Forgotten film ‘reunites’ man with brothers 80 years later
IT was the perfect occasion for a Kodak moment.
Together at a family wedding, eight-year-old dick Carr and his brothers posed for the camera, their smiles captured for ever on film.
But it took another 80 years for Mr Carr to set eyes on the image, after the old box camera and undeveloped film were left to gather dust in a garden shed.
The 89-year-old, who is the last surviving sibling, was finally presented with a copy when his nephew discovered the lost treasure while sorting through his late father’s belongings and had the forgotten film developed.
Mr Carr, of Insh, Invernessshire, was moved to tears after being ‘reunited’ with his younger brother Peter, and older brothers Henry, Bill and Bert.
He said: ‘My brother Bill died ten years ago in Essex and all his stuff was kept by his son, Michael, in the garden shed.
‘Eventually the family got round to sorting it all out and they came across a beautiful old Kodak box camera.
‘Michael wondered if it might even have a film in it, and a careful check was carried out. Sure enough, there was a film in the thing, and they recently just had it developed.’
of the emotional moment he saw the long-lost wedding photos for the first time, Mr Carr said: ‘I was gobsmacked to receive them, from my equally astonished nephew.
‘What a surprise they all got – lo and behold, perfect pictures taken of my older brother Henry’s wedding day eight decades ago in dagenham were unveiled.
‘As the last surviving “star” of them, I was presented with copies. It was absolutely marvellous to see them and I could hardly recognise myself. Well, as you can see there have been a few changes since then.’
Mr Carr, who grew up in England along with his seven brothers and sister Florence, moved to Scotland with his late wife Hilda 30 years ago to work as a sewing machine maintenance specialist.
He would travel around the Highlands, and over the sea to Skye and beyond. After retiring several years ago, he made a name for himself as a ghillie.
As the last surviving sibling,
‘I could hardly recognise myself’
seeing the photos was particularly poignant for Mr Carr, who admitted shedding a tear at seeing his brothers again.
‘They’re long gone now, and my sister Florence, too, and it’s quite a thing to be “reunited” all these years on,’ added Mr Carr.
‘I have to admit I don’t remember posing for mine – it was a long time ago and I was just a laddie.
‘But I can tell you I’ll cherish the pictures. Although I can’t remember them being taken, they bring back a lifetime of memories for me.’