There’s nothing better than being able to put faces to names and often the only time this can be done is if someone has (very kindly) written the name of the individual on the back of a photo. Sometimes however the back is blank and I’m left with a photo of a person who doesn’t look familiar but somehow knew one of my relatives.
This was the case recently when crammed in a tin amongst other photos was a blue envelope. Safely tucked within this envelope were photo upon photo of soldiers who fought during World War I who, I assumed, were mates of my Great Grandfather, Charles Victor Barratt. I wanted to know who they were. I wanted to know what happened to them during the war and I especially wanted to know whether they’d survived. Without even the smallest clue it looks as though it could be an impossible task. So, I’ve decided to utilise the broad reach of the internet and I’m hoping that perhaps someone out there will stumble across my blog and recognise a photo of a solider.
Written on the back: "Harefield Stoop - 1 Nov 1918. With kindest regards. Yours sincerely, Scottie."
If you happen to recognise any one of these faces, please do not hesitate to let me know.
Finding Family 
Hi there, it might not be much information now, but could be used later if you need to confirm if a particular person was there, through war records, but that Harefield Stoop photo is taken at Harefield Auxillery Hospital, near London which was used mainly by the ANZACS in WWI.
MY Great-Grandfather was also over there and I wish he’d sent back a photo like the two on camels in front of the pyramids! What a great photo!
I recently set up a group on Flickr for photos just like this….as I have a few that other genealogists might be interested in.
I also have a Tonkin set which contains some unidentified photos from that side of the family. There’s a photo of Luke Tonkin there who is John Foss Tonkin’s (Jnr) father, which you may be interested in.
I’m especially interested in identifying the wedding photos at the bottom and have narrowed it down to Guildford in the 1890’s due to the extreme leg-of-mutton sleeves on the bride’s dress heh.
Thanks for the additional information about Harefield Auxillery Hospital Shelly! My Great Grandfather was injured in the war so perhaps he spent some time there. Judging by the writing on the back though, I’m guessing someone in the photo was a mate. I look forward to checking out your photos on Flickr. 🙂