I have some lovely Military Wedding old photos in my collection, a few too I have bought online this last few months, most unnamed, so I’m sharing these with you all in the hope that I might get some help with the ID of the Military Uniforms. Or someone may even recognise their Ancestors💕💒

These two glorious Wedding photos below do I have names for! Mitchell and Shoosmith💕💒

BUT thanks to the seller I have this information: “Fred and Em Mitchell were married in Uckfield, Sussex on the 24 April 1916. It was Easter Monday. Their Wedding reception was at a hall in Harcourt Road, outside of which these photos were taken by a local Photographer. Fred, a Sergeant, was on leave from active service and his Best Man was also in uniform“.

Family History: Frederick James Mitchell❤Emily Caroline Shoosmith

Frederick James Mitchell born 20 Dec 1887 Eastbourne, Sussex to parents John Mitchell and Mary (Higgins)💒Emily Caroline Shoosmith was born 19 Oct 1888 in Wadhurst, Sussex to parents George Henry Shoosmith and Caroline (Stevens)

I’ve made a quick Family Tree on Ancestry:https://www.ancestry.co.uk/family-tree/tree/172227919/family?cfpid=112239331399&fpid=112239337607

So far I haven’t found any children born to the couple. Fred was in the 2nd Field Company, Royal Engineers in the 1911 census, so that ties in with what I found in my reference book below. After he left the Military he became a Postman and in the 1939 register on the right after the date of birth it says: R.P. for G.P.O. B.R.C.S.57. Could this mean Rural Postman for G.P.O. I have no idea what B.R.C.S.57. stands for, any ideas anyone? The couple are living at no 4 Harcourt Road, Uckfield, Sussex. Exactly where these old photos were taken in Harcourt Road! Previous to their Wedding in the 1911 census Emily lived at No 6 Harcourt Road, Uckfield, Sussex. So with great hope I turned to Google Street to look up Harcourt Road and not only was no 4 and no 6 still there BUT the Village Hall where these photos were taken is still there!!

Fred died on 10 Oct 1976 aged 88 at 123 Framfield Road, Uckfield and Emily died at the same address on 7 May 1978 aged 89. Hope they had a nice celebration for their 60th Wedding Anniversary💕They must have moved from Harcourt Road in their later years.

Fred is a Sergeant, “wearing a 1903 Bandolier across his shoulder/chest indicating Artillery or Engineers, his breeches, puttees worn from knee to ankle, and spurs indicate he is part of a mounted force“. (Information from my ‘Military Photographs’ book by Neil Storey) and I have confirmed he was in the Royal Engineers.

What a lovely large Wedding group photo taken on Easter Monday and the sun was shining!

Can anyone help with these gents above uniforms? Unfortunately the badges are not clear enough to ID. Any help with any of these old photos would be really appreciated.

The Imperial War Museum website is one of those sites that once you go on it you end up having a wander around and can always find something interesting to read. They have these fabulous accounts of WW2 Wedding photos and the stories of the couples💕💒

https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-to-wear-to-a-wartime-wedding

It just confirms what I always think when I see an old photo, that every photo has a story to tell and these are just wonderful! Well worth a read💕💒

I also Love the VE Day Film dated 8 May 1945 taken of Whitehall, London also from the IWM website, here’s the direct link:

https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/41438

Written by Laurence Binyon, probably the most famous war remembrance poem. He wrote this while visiting Cornwall “For the Fallen” in 1914 :

They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted,

They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

We will remember them.

They mingle not with their laughing comrades again

They sit no more at familiar tables of home;

They have no lot in our labour of the day-time;

They sleep beyond England’s foam.

Till next time then…………..