Mystery Photo Identified!!!!! – Boulder RSL 1929

Thanks to Tim Cudini, War Museum Assistant, we have not only been able to name the photograph but also to put names to all thise in the photograph.  What a great result. I am sure there are many familiar names in the photograph.

One mystery remains and that is ‘why the larger flag  is back to front?’, I had thought it was because the negative was back to front but Tim tells me that the RSL pins on the lapel on the members was always worn on the left side which cancels my theory.  Any ideas??

1929 Boulder RSL Members

This photograph is of Alexander E POWELL and his wife Grace D BEXTREAM, it is their wedding photo taken on the 22 April 1920 in Boulder,  he was 34 and she was 36, he was born in Wolsley S.A.

 

Alexander and Grace Powell on their wedding day, 22.4.1920 Boulder

Alexander and Grace Powell on their wedding day, 22.4.1920 Boulder

The sender wants to try to find out what group the following photograph may be of. It depicts the writers grandfather as a small boy, George William Powell, Alexander’s youngest child, seated in front. His father was a member of the following groups:-  RSL, Boulder Whippet Club and the Boulder Mines Band.

 

Mystery Group Boulder c1930's

Mystery Group Boulder c1930’s Taken by Rembrant Studios

I would say probably an RSL Group due to the flags, pity you can’t see what the badge most are wearing. Any ideas would be appreciated. It could perhaps even have been taken just after the death of Alexander Powell. The young boy wasn’t able to remember what the occasion was.

Alexander was to lead a relatively short life as but he was an esteemed member of the community as the following article would testify to.  If you are unable to read it clearly this is the link to the original article:- http://trove.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/952051090

Kalgoorlie Miner 3rd Jan 1931

Kalgoorlie Miner 3rd Jan 1931

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My name is Moya Sharp, I live in Kalgoorlie Western Australia and have worked most of my adult life in the history/museum industry. I have been passionate about history for as long as I can remember and in particular the history of my adopted home the Eastern Goldfields of Western Australia. Through my website I am committed to providing as many records and photographs free to any one who is interested in the family and local history of the region.

Comments

  1. Ron Glasson says

    Hi Moya, What I find strange about this photo is the opposing fly of the two flags. The large one in rear is positioned the wrong way with the fly to the left and the hoist on the right. For this reason I doubt this is an RSL group, however most seem to have on a lapel badges that may indicate RSL membership. Any better resolution images of the lapel badges?
    Cheers Ron G

    • Hi Ron Yes I agree, the idea of a transposed negative only hold up with the larger flag. One of them has to be the wrong way round! Could the flag the wrong way be like having it at half mast at the death of the young boys father? I doubt it, but thats all I can think of!

  2. Hi Moya,

    The photograph in question depicts members of the Boulder RSL sub-branch and was taken on Sunday 31 March 1929. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article34445121

    The large trophy on the table is the Newdegate Cup which was won by Boulder sub-branch in 1928.
    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94011317
    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article94007504

    The Newdegate Cup was donated to the Western Australian branch of the RSL by Sir Francis Newdegate and was presented at the annual state congress to the ‘most efficient’ or ‘most progressive’ sub-branch over the past year.
    http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article58397278

    The Boulder RSL has a large, framed copy of this photo with all of the names of the members given.

    Regards,

    Tim Cudini
    War Museum Assistant
    City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder
    Phone: (08) 9093 1087
    PO Box 2042, Boulder, WA 6432
    Tim.Cudini@ckb.wa.gov.au
    http://www.ckb.wa.gov.au

    • Dear Tim

      What wonderful news, the lady who send me the photograph will be really pleased. Would you by any chance have a copy of the names of the men in the photo? I will do an update on the photo with credit to you of course. What I’m still wondering about is why the flag is the wrong way round. Do you think the negative was printed back to front? If this is the reason it makes the smaller flag the wrong way round ‘confusing’. Thanks for you help it is much appreciated.

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