4thGordons Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 (edited) This is detail from a camp photograph - the item (box? tin?) seems to be being held up as though it would be recognized by viewers.... but I don't! Is it a well known trademark/design? The rest of the pic seems to suggest it *might* be foodstuffs of some sort tin of sardines? box of teabags? biscuits? (or possibly cigarettes/tobacco? box of dominoes?) Any ideas? TIA Chris Edited 8 October , 2018 by 4thGordons Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Long shot, but the way he's holding it reminds me of a mouth organ ... The Graphic 1905 Not confident though and I cannot find any harmonica with that decoration on its back. Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 8 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Hmmm yes I see what you mean Mark! Here're the other objects being held -- an empty bowl (by a stray RFA man! all the others are RWK) and another box? block of something? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrew Upton Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 13 minutes ago, MBrockway said: Long shot, but the way he's holding it reminds me of a mouth organ … … Not confident though and I cannot find any harmonica with that decoration on its back. 8 minutes ago, 4thGordons said: Hmmm yes I see what you mean Mark! Here're the other objects being held -- an empty bowl (by a stray RFA man! all the others are RWK) and another box? block of something? If it's any help my first thoughts were the same as Marks - a decorated mouth organ. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddell Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 I thought it may be a harmonica still in the box. The soldier on the left side of the photo seems to be holding a box of similar size. Scott Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Is it possible the chap on the right is holding the box in which the thing the chap on the left is carrying came? Harmonica suits me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Ah, Larry Adler anyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MBrockway Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 I'm far from sure about my mouth organ suggestion! The object on RHS of the image reminds me of a block of industrial laundry soap such as we were wont to use at school for scrubbing shirt cuffs and collars. The 'mouth organ' could be its packaging? The block also reminds me of holystone used in scrubbing decks? Either would seem to fit the possible theme of camp chores. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wainfleet Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 The man on the right seems to be holding a piece of wood; the grain is clearly visible. I'm sure that's a harmonica on the left. You can even see how the ends are crimped down and pinned to the centre block. If the cup and plate are enamel, they might be an impromptu band. Unusual jacket being worn by the gunner, scalloped pocket flaps and oddly-shaped rifle patches. It would be interesting to see the whole photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 My first thought was it is a visual pun for families at home, I'm not familiar with Kent so if someone can come up with a placename along the lines of Harmonicacup Wood/Mouthbowl Wood I'd be obliged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 (edited) Could they be brothers/cousins? It would explain the rogue gunner. Edited 8 October , 2018 by Heid the Ba Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 It looks a bit big for a harmonica but it could be one. Could it be food of some sort, bar of chocolate, biscuit..? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NigelS Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 1 hour ago, MBrockway said: The object on RHS of the image reminds me of a block of industrial laundry soap such as we were wont to use at school for scrubbing shirt cuffs and collars... ...The block also reminds me of holystone used in scrubbing decks? Or a 'Bath Brick' assuming the trade name etc is on the face away from the camera, & wasn't stamped on both sides... This link given in the Wikipedia entry does say: 'Anywhere the British army went, the Bath Brick went likewise...' & '... At its peak, 24,000,000 bricks per year were being produced by ten different Bridgwater companies, especially during First World War when they were part of the soldier’s standard kit issue.' but then goes on to contradict itself by giving: 'By the start of First World War l, they had been replaced by those tall cans of kitchen scourers.' NigelS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerbill Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Just had a scan through Google images of Harmonicas couldn't find one that looks like that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithfazzani Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 The faces have a mischievous air about them as if the "message" if there is one, is a little risque. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 8 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2018 2 hours ago, wainfleet said: The man on the right seems to be holding a piece of wood; the grain is clearly visible. I'm sure that's a harmonica on the left. You can even see how the ends are crimped down and pinned to the centre block. If the cup and plate are enamel, they might be an impromptu band. Unusual jacket being worn by the gunner, scalloped pocket flaps and oddly-shaped rifle patches. It would be interesting to see the whole photo. Here is the complete photo. Wondering what the medal ribbons (2?) on the chap standing at the back might be? And what that might mean for dating the photo (he doesn't look particularly old) There is a galvanized tub off to the right which might support the soap theory -- unless that is the percussion section! I have to say it looks a bit large for a Harmonica doesn't it? The RWK men seem to have their shoulder titles on cloth sliders rather than directly on their epaulettes. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 1 hour ago, keithfazzani said: The faces have a mischievous air about them as if the "message" if there is one, is a little risque. Perhaps not risqué, but a way of letting families know where they were? Safely in reserve rather than in the front line. Yes, I'm overthinking this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gardenerbill Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 In the backgound there are trees could this suport the theory that the objects hint at where they are e.g, something, something wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilB Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 The chap lying on the right has no studs in his boots. This, and the pristine looking tents, suggests UK? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skipman Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Is the man third in from left,back row, holding a razor? Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heid the Ba Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 Looks like a cigarette to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 8 October , 2018 Admin Share Posted 8 October , 2018 41 minutes ago, Gardenerbill said: In the backgound there are trees Which aren't particularly leafy which gives a clue of the time of year it was taken. The fold creases down the trousers of the standing men suggest new uniforms and the "freshness" of the men suggests a UK photo. Could it be a village/works type of reunion at a training camp and the items being held up are code for "send us fags, food and 'real' soap? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 4 hours ago, wainfleet said: The man on the right seems to be holding a piece of wood; the grain is clearly visible. Agreed. It looks like a short length of 3" x 2" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 8 October , 2018 Author Share Posted 8 October , 2018 The card back is "postcard" "Printed in Great Britain" - rather than Carte Postale etc No other details. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dai Bach y Sowldiwr Posted 8 October , 2018 Share Posted 8 October , 2018 The man lying down , second from right, is Vladimir Putin. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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