From a soldier’s scrapbook … a rather handy clue.
In the summer I wrote about an impressive framed photograph that I found in a local shop. I had presumed the photograph had been taken in Canada but this was not the case at all.
The smoking gun was already in my collection (note: the archivist has been sacked) and it is in the form of a postcard showing the same photograph but with a helpful caption provided by a convalescing Canadian soldier. An article from The Times on November 10, 1916 provides a clue as to why he may have had this postcard:
“The route was lined with spectators, but there were far fewer civilians in the windows than hitherto, for most of the vantage points were given over to wounded soldiers, who was likely a guest at the Lord Mayor’s Show.”
The Lord Mayor’s Show took place on November 9th 1916 and the massed bands received much praise from the journalist in the same Times newspaper article:
“Perhaps one of the most impressive units of the procession followed the Newfoundlanders, the massed bands of the Canadian troops, more than a hundred strong. They played particularly well, and marched most of the way to the tune of ‘The Maple Leaf Forever’.”
The photograph was taken by Folkestone photographer J. Weston and presumably at a location in or near the town. I’ve not seen photographs of Shorncliffe Camp featuring the buildings in the background but I would be interested in hearing from anyone who can provide more information on the exact location.
Categories: Photographs, Who Goes There?
Googling the phrase ‘Lord Mayor’s Show 1916’ produces numerous links to a 2 minute silent video of portions of that 1916 parade. No sign of Cdn. troops in the clips.
Thanks for the comment. I had seen a 1-minute clip shot from a different angle but not the 2-minute clip I just watched. I saw some ANZAC troops and some bagpipes but as you say no sign of the massed Canadian band. Thanks again, Steve.
Hello, I thought you’d like to know where this photo was taken… you’re theory that it was captured in Folkestone, near Shorncliffe Camp, is spot on – the soldiers are standing at the rear of Folkestone’s Pleasure Gardens Theatre (now long gone), on some tennis courts. I believe the year is indeed 1916, and possibly still associated with the Lord Mayor’s Show in London – they could have been practising for the big event when the photo was taken. But, I also know that massed military band concerts were quite common in Folkestone during WW1.
I only discovered your photo last week because I was looking for pics of my great uncle, bandmaster Fred Timberlake, who was with the 9th Reserve Battalion CEF at the time. I then became oddly determined to find where it was taken… one week and many hours of looking at maps, documents and aerial photos later, and here we are.
In case you’re curious, to locate Fred in this photo; find the feet of the left-hand soldier lying down, then go directly up to the second row – he’s the guy with the moustache and his hand resting across his chest.
You can find a 1920s aerial photo of the back of the Pleasure Gardens Theatre here:
https://www.britainfromabove.org.uk/en/image/EPW000589
(Also available in better quality via the Historic England Aerial Photos site.)
Although some features have changed by the 20s (e.g. no tiered standing area), you can see that the Canadian massed bands photo was taken on the right of the green space behind the theatre.
While not earth-shattering news, I hope this little find proves interesting! And importantly, thank you for posting the image in the first place.
All the best,
Howard
Thanks very much for the comment Howard! I always love it when someone identifies a soldier in a photo I post, and now I can see your great uncle Fred Timberlake. I also appreciate the background information you provided on the venue. Thanks again!