A family of four looks out at us from the front of this photographic postcard, which, as the printed details on the reverse inform us, was produced by the studio of ‘T. Lee Syms, Tyldesley Lancashire’. The baby at the centre was clearly moving when the photographer took the photograph, appearing slightly blurred, unlike his or her elder brother. The combination of their soldier–father’s Sam Browne belt, tie and tunic with lapels signals his army-officer status, while the three stars and double lines of braid on his cuff tell us that he holds the rank of captain. The outline of a military sweetheart brooch can be seen pinned to the front of their mother’s outfit; the details that would identify her husband’s regiment or corps are, however, indistinct. || || A photographic postcard showing a captain and his family. || Photograph

Denis T. Hayes H.A.C. (Honourable Artillery Company) who served in Belgium, France and Italy. He is the grandfather of Geraldine Hayes. His service dates are 03/10/1916 - 09/02/1919. Prior to WWI he worked in the civil service in London and attended the London School of Economics. During WWI he worked as an interpreter - he served in the Somme and Passendale (Third Battle of Ypres, Western Front July to November 1917) and in Italy. He did a course in the School of Hygiene while in the Italian Expeditionary Force. He suffered shrapnel wounds during the war - while receiving treatment abroad on return to Ireland he was also brought to the Mater Hospital, Dublin. In the Irish Free State he worked in Customs and Excise. || British War Medal ; Victory Medal ; Manuscript letter, B.E.F. (British Expeditionary Force), France, Sunday 14 October 1917 Refers to the 'frightful rain'; remarks that the 'days of the officer (class) are over'.

A real photographic postcard || A father and son visited ‘The Hudson Studios, Ltd., Great Western Arcade & City Arcades, Birmingham’ to be photographed, as the details on the reverse tell us, a business that also offered ‘Pictures & Picture Framing at Wholesale Prices’. The cap-wearing boy stands next to his seated soldier–father, who has draped his left arm around his son’s shoulders. He holds an unlit cigarette in his hand and a wedding ring is also apparent. Visible details of his uniform include a swagger stick and a white lanyard, and his cap badge appears to be that of the Army Service Corps. A message has been pencilled on the back, but is not that legible: ‘To Miss C Flennelly ? / wishing you the best of health & luck ? from your old ? ? Fred A ? xxxx’. || || Photograph || Front || A soldier and his son photographed in Birmingham