A real photographic postcard || The studio scene printed on the front of this real photographic postcard shows a small girl dressed in white, with a big bow in her hair, perched on a stool next to her mother, who, by contrast, is dressed in black. Her wedding ring is visible on her left hand. Behind them is the girl’s soldier–father. His cap badge is that of the Royal Artillery, and he wears a bandolier and a light-coloured lanyard. The single stripe on his left sleeve denotes the rank of lance corporal. || || Photograph || A photograph of a British lance corporal and his family

Printed on the reverse of this real photographic postcard is the legend ‘From the Studio of Horace Dudley’. (Research shows that this photographer had a number of studios in the Midlands and elsewhere in England.) The family who visited this particular studio for their group portrait comprise a smartly dressed young boy and his sister (who is wearing a rosary around her neck), their mother, and their soldier–father. The single chevron, or stripe, on his left sleeve tells us that he is a lance corporal. || A real photographic postcard || || A photograph of a British lance corporal and his family || Photograph

A small girl sits at the centre of this real photographic postcard flanked by her parents. The single stripe on her soldier–father’s sleeve tells us that he is a lance corporal and he wears a bandolier; the details of his shoulder title are unclear. The rings on her mother’s left hand are notable. There is a message written in black ink on the reverse. It reads, ‘Dear Doris / Just a card to wish you all a Merry Xmas & a Happy & peaceful New Year. / With love, Gladys’. || A real photographic postcard || || A British lance corporal and his wife and daughter || Photograph || Front