Mr. Smith goes to war

A few years ago some renovations were being done at a shop in Sevenoaks, Kent. The shop had once previously been a photographic studio belonging to the Essenhigh-Corke family of photographers and artists and, bricked up in an old fireplace, were discovered nearly 500 glass plate negatives, photographs of soldiers of the WW1-era. These precious objects are now in the safe custody of the Kent County Archive.

Among many others in this amazing time-capsule were several photographs of men of the Territorial battalions of the King's Own (Royal Lancaster Regiment), who had obviously had their portraits professionally captured when stationed in the district in early-1915, there probably not having been sufficient time or opportunity to do so in their home towns after they had enlisted on the outbreak of war.

Unfortunately, in the main the photographer had only recorded the surnames of his subjects and most cannot now now be definitely identified, although one, of Richard Usher of the 4th Battalion was obviously the portrait supplied by his parents for publication in the 'Barrow Guardian' when his death in August 1916, was announced.

2410, Private (later C.Q.M.S.) Richard Usher.

One of the unidentified images is of a youthful-looking 'Private Smith.' His portrait is perhaps unusual in that it depicts him in full marching kit, holding his rifle.

I know nothing else about him other than he must have been serving in either the 4th or 5th Battalion, and that by deciding to get himself professionally photographed it would suggest that he was a new recruit to the regiment - and proud of the fact.

I have never seen this photograph reproduced in any of the local newspapers in connection with the reporting of a casualty so that is no proof that he survived the war unscathed, but I hope he did.