Taken over a century ago by the Sutton based photographer David Knights Whittome, I can't be sure that this beautifully dressed Mother is proud of her two young scholars, or smiling as she looks forward to the peace, and quiet the coming term will bring. A stunning glass negative made in 1916, this is a great example of the high quality photographs that this self-taught artist produced.
Knights-Whittome obtained a Royal Warrant of Appointment in 1911 having photographed the Royal Family over a number of years. He subsequently advertised himself as ‘Photographer to the King’. He photographed three generations of the British Royal family (Edward VII, George V and the future Edward VIII) in formal portrait shoots, country house parties and as part of a larger ‘press pack’ at events such as the investiture of the Prince of Wales at Caernarfon Castle in 1911. He also photographed other Royals such as King Alfonso of Spain, King Manuel of Portugal and the Queen of Norway.
With the outbreak of war, David was attested as a Special Constable on the 14 August 1914 and served in that capacity locally until the 31 December 1914 after which he joined the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve and then in 1916 transferred to the Royal Garrison Artillery, Special Reserve, as a 2nd Lieutenant.
It's always wonderful to know who's in these superb photographs, and thankfully we do have that information - Annie Jane Moorcroft nee Essex (1877–1969) Frank Essex Moorcroft (1904–1986) William Joseph E Moorcroft (1907–1995) Missing from this family picture is - Husband, and Father, Frank Augustus Moorcroft (1877-1944)
This is my colourised version of the black, and white photograph taken in 1916, but I have posted the untouched original image within the comments.
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