Another Sepia Saturday, and we’re inching closer and closer to the big 300! In case it’s not clear, the two men in the picture above are sitting on a bridge which fits me into the theme this week. On the left is Harry Oscar Frederick “Fritz” Powis (1903-1972). On the right is Alfred Herbert “Herb” Powis (1892-1926). This is one in a series of three photos taken at the same place with different configurations of people, obviously marking the occasion of Herb returning from the Army after World War I. From a date on one of the other photos, these were taken March 1, 1919. Herb married Junua Goldie Patchin on 25 April 1918 in a quiet, small ceremony just before leaving for war. The local newspaper reported, “The young couple slipped quietly away and it came as a gerat surprise to their many friends and relatives.” From Herb’s obituary, we learn, “He entered the Army in June of 1918 and he was a Private in Headquarters Co., 162nd Infantry. He was active service in France for nine months and was honorably discharged from the Army May 1919.” I haven’t been able to find out much about his time in the Army, but the obituary points to an illness that he brought back during his time abroad. His death certificate indicates he died of Pulmonary Tuberculosis at age 33. I can’t imagine his family thought much of the Army after his service abroad is what killed him slowly and painfully. Below are the other two photos in the set. And now? Now we cross the bridge and look forward to the next Sepia Saturday!
Bridging the years nicely.
Great snaps of an important event. Nice Post. Thanks for sharing.
For some reason I think Powis is a Welsh name, yes?
Yes, but in this case, Herb’s father was adopted by a couple (Thomas Powis and Margaret Collings) in Staffordshire in 1860 or so. Herb’s father’s original surname was Jackson and there was no father listed on the birth certificate.
Back when it was still safe to walk out onto a bridge without the worries of being run over.
Sad he died so young. That moment on the bridge is a nice way to remember him.
What a sweet young couple
I’m almost as fascinated with the wooden bridge as I am with the people and their clothes.
They are just the sweetest!
Some lovely old photographs and story to go with them, despite the sadness.
A perfect mixture of wonderful old images and fascinating family history. It is what Sepia Saturday is all about.