There is nothing on the reverse of this real photographic postcard to identify the subjects, or the photographer. The tripartite photographic scene on the front, which is rather the worse for wear, shows a British soldier wearing spurs, a bandolier and a white lanyard, with a cap badge that appears to be that of the Corps of Royal Engineers. He is seated on a chair in front of a military encampment, gazing solemnly at a piece of paper – perhaps a photograph or letter. A head-and-shoulders portrait of his wife has been inserted above him, and a group portrait of his four small children has been positioned opposite her. || A composite real photographic postcard || || A composite photograph showing a British soldier, his wife and children. || Photograph

This studio portrait has been printed on a postcard back, whose printed information includes the details ‘British Made’ and ‘1045’. A young girl, dressed smartly in white, stands next to her seated mother and in front of her soldier–father. Her mother’s hatpin and jewellery are notable, particularly the brooch pinned to her collar and the heart-shaped locket that hangs below it. The ring on her soldier–father’s wedding finger is also discernible, as is a dark lanyard. His cap badge appears to be that of the Essex Regiment. || A real photographic postcard || || Photograph || A photograph of a British soldier and his family

A composite photograph of a separated British soldier's family || A mother and her three daughters posed for this photographic postcard in the absence of the father of the family. A photograph of him in uniform has been crudely incorporated into the top-left-hand corner. There is no information, printed or handwritten, to throw any light on the family’s identity or location, while the soldier’s cap badge is too indistinct for his unit to be identifiable. || || Photograph || A composite photograph of a separated British family