Anne Elliott's photos with the keyword: England

I happened to have already scanned this image a few years ago and thought I'd use it today, to wish everyone who celebrates Christmas a very happy day. Me, many, many years ago (lol!), wearing homemade, flannel pyjamas and clutching one of my Teddy bears. Merry Christmas, everyone! Here, our temperature on Christmas morning is -19C (windchill -29C). Extreme cold warnings are in effect for Alberta. The forecast for "a few flurries" has changed, so sunshine should be here to stay all day. There is too much snow on the ground already, so we don't need any more.

The print from which I made this scan looked OK to me, but when I scanned it, I found that it really was poor quality. Decided to post this image anyway, as I don't have many photos of my Father in his later years, and it shows him doing what he loved to do - take photos and movie. At the time this photo was taken (summer of 1969), he was a proud Grandpa for the very first time, photographing his six-month-old baby Grandson : ) My Father died about seven years after this photo was taken, at the age of 69. We were in my parent's back garden in England, visiting while on leave for a few weeks from Borneo.

Decided to scan one of the thousands of old family photos last night. I'm not being very active at the moment, giving the 16 stitches across my back a chance to heal, so I have a little more time on my hands, which actually feels really nice. Also, it's -20C (windchill -28C) this morning, 28 February 2014. The forecast for tonight is -33C (windchill -41C)!! Tomorrow, Saturday, should start off at -32C (windchill -40C), but should soar to a balmy -25C in the afternoon - yeah, right! The next few days will continue cold, but by Tuesday, there should be a little improvement - and then the snow returns, ha. It did snow a little last night. Don't think I'll be going out anywhere for the next few days, which at least will allow my stitches to heal more before I have to stretch to remove the snow from my car. Anyway, this is a photo of my Mother, Vera Kathleen Bassindale, taken by my Father on one of their endless cycling outings. Both my parents were very keen cyclists and loved being in the outdoors. My Mother shared her love of wildflowers with me and my Dad always had his camera with him, to capture the beautiful scenery, his family - and his great love of steam engines as they chugged through the countryside. I believe he had a pretty much complete photographic record of every engine in the UK (certainly England) and many from Europe. Various enthusiasts now have most of his train and traction engine photos, thanks to my amazing friends in England, who spent so much time seeing to this after my Brother died. My son inherited our parents' love of cycling : ) I seem to have inherited both passions, for which I am truly grateful. My Mother died in December 1998 and my Father had died many years before that, in 1976. Sadly, our main communication for decades was by letter, as I got married at 22 (far too young!) and moved overseas, usually across the other side of the world. Missed out on family talks and sharing of my parents' lives. Very sad, but it happens to many people when family members move away.

I just had a sudden urge to scan one of my old family photos last night and chose this one, taken many decades ago by my Father, of my Mother and little me : ) I'm not sure, but it looks like I may have been sitting in the child's seat on the back of my Father's bike. I only remember seeing photos of me on my Father's bike, and I don't know if those old seats were movable to a different bike. So often at weekends, my parents and I would bike into the countryside around Birmingham, England, and my Mother would look for wildflowers, which she loved, and my Father would be taking photos - photography was a passion for him. I seem to have inherited both passions, for which I am truly grateful : ) My Mother died in December 1998 and my Father had died many years before that, in 1976. Sadly, our main communication for decades was by letter, as I got married at 22 (far too young!) and moved overseas, usually across the other side of the world. Missed out on family talks and sharing of my parents' lives. Very sad, but it happens to many people when family members move away. Oh, by the way, those curls were the curse of my life, ha, ha - just hated them!

This object has been a puzzle for more than two years, lol! This photo was taken by my friend, Eric Brown, who lives in England and knew my Brother. He and his wife, Anne, were two of the friends who went through my Brother's house in such meticulous detail after John died, saving everything of interest and importance, including a huge amount of paper documents and photos. When they had completed this enormous task, they made sure that everything was packed carefully in 12 boxes and shipped over to me here in Calgary. This object, actually, is not something I asked to be sent, even though I found it fascinating. It is quite large and probably heavy - it looks like it was photographed on an ottoman/stool. Since then, Eric has been searching for an answer to "What is it?", but has not yet been able to solve the mystery. We are hoping that someone might just know or be able to make a suggestion. A long-time friend of Eric's did tell him what he thought it was used for, but I won't add that till later.

An old photo taken by my Father many decades ago, that I scanned last night on the spur of the moment. You didn't really think I'd put a date on it, did you, lol?? Not sure, but I guess this might have been taken on a camping trip somewhere - apparently, I learned to walk round a tent pole, ha. My Mother made my dress - how she used to love "smocking" embroidery. Hmmm, will have to Google that word, as I'm not sure if I've got the right word.

Finally scanned another old photo last night - of my parents with one of their bikes. They loved cycling, before they had my Brother and me, and for years afterwards. I have very happy memories of going off for bike rides at the weekends, into the countryside around Birmingham, England. There, my Mother showed me all the wildflowers, that she loved so much, and my Father would be taking photos, which was his passion : ) They also belonged to the Solihull Cycling Club.

Sorry, if you happen to look at this image - really is very blurry and does unpleasant things to your eyes. I didn't realize that it was quite this bad, when I was scanning and editing it in the wee hours of this morning. I wanted to scan it to send to my oldest daughter, especially, as she is doing an online course on World War II. This image shows my Father (1907-1976) wearing his Home Guard uniform, in Birmingham, England.

More detail later - I overslept by an hour this morning, so have to absolutely dash to get to my meeting place in time! This photo was used on the cover of the First Anniversary edition of "The Bicycle", a weekly newspaper for all cyclists. Date of this edition was 23 February 1937. Both of my parents loved cycling and spent a lot of time cycling and camping. My father also loved photography and was described as an "exceptional photographer". Tom Carden Bassindale (1907-1976), married to Vera Kathleen Bassindale (nee Neal, 1914-1998). Tom's parents were Albert Elijah Bassindale and Alice Gladwell Bassindale (nee Carden).

This old photo was obviously taken with everyone looking into the sun, ha! Nearly everyone has their eyes closed. My parents were married on 4 June 1938 at St. John's Church, Polegate, Sussex, England. From left to right: 1. Albert Elijah Bassindale, my paternal Grandfather 2. Alice Gladwell Bassindale (nee Carden), my paternal Grandmother 3. Vera Kathleen Bassindale (nee neal),my Mother 4. Tom Carden Bassindale, my Father 5. Alice Mary Bassindale, Tom's sister, my Auntie "Mollie" 6. Nora Margaret Bassindale, Tom's sister, my Auntie Nora 7. Arthur Gee, Best Man 8. Emma Neal (nee Billingsley), my maternal Grandmother 9. George Frederick Neal, my maternal Grandfather

My parents, Vera Kathleen Bassindale (nee Neal, 1914-1998) and Tom Carden Bassindale (1907-1976), were married on 4 June 1938 at St. John's Church, Polegate, Sussex, England.

Unfortunately, this is just a scan from a scan on plain paper. However, I might sometime try scanning a better copy that I came across a couple of days ago, that was printed several years ago on photo paper. (Later: tried to replace this post with a better version but it won't let me do it). I have to go out shortly for the whole morning and maybe part of the afternoon, but will list everyone in this old photo later. Back row, standing, left to right: 1. William Henry Carden - brother of Alice Gladwell Bassindale (nee Carden), my paternal Grandmother. He was 9 years younger than his sister. 2. Daisy Elizabeth Carden (nee Jinks, 1884 or 1885-1964), wife of William Henry Carden. They were married in 1908, in Peterborough, England. 3. Vera Gladwell Bassindale (later, Handforth). This is my Auntie Vera. 4. Kathleen Joan ("Joan") Carden, daughter of William Henry and Daisy Elizabeth Carden. Born in 1914. 5. Tom Carden Bassindale (my father), born in 1907. 6. Alice Mary Bassindale ("Molly"), my father's sister, 1904 - 1967. She never married. 7. Alice Gladwell Bassindale (nee Carden), my paternal Grandmother. 8. Albert Elijah Bassindale, timber merchant, my paternal Grandfather. He and Alice Gladwell had four children - Mollie, Tom, Vera and Nora. Seated: 1. My paternal Great Grandparents, Reverend Henry Carden (born 28th December 1850) and Eliza Jane Carden (nee Shadick). She was born about 15 miles from Nettlestead, Kent, England. Sitting in front: 1. William Henry and Daisy Elizabeth's son, Philip Ewart Carden ("Phil"), born 1918. I believe they also had 3 older children: Eva Mary Carden ("Mollie", 1909-1965), Henry John Carden ("Henry John" or "John", 1911-1970), and Kathleen Joan Carden ("Joan", 1914-?). Philip later married Violet May Lumley of Gravesend. 2. Nora Bassindale, my father's youngest sister. Apparently, the photo was taken in front of a rustic shelter, which was covered with roses in their (whose? My grandparents'?) garden in Green Road, Hall Green, Brmingham, England. Reverend Henry Carden and Eliza Jane lived a few hundred yards away in Sarehole Road, Hall Green, Birmingham, England. My brother (John Carden Bassindale) thought this photo may have been taken on 6th July 1925, which was Reverend Henry Carden and Eliza Jane's Golden Wedding Anniversary. If this is correct, Mollie would have been 22, and my father Tom would have been 18, Vera 14, Nora 10, Joan 11 and Phil 8.

These are my maternal Grandparents, George Frederick Neal and Emma Neal (nee Billingsley). In a very quick search on Google just now, the address for the Hotel in the background is 29 & 31 Terminus Road, Eastbourne, Sussex, England. Need to look up more information on my Grandparents later - will be out all morning. George Frederick Neal: - Born on 14th November 1868 at Court 16, Weaman Street, Birmingham, England. - His parents were Edward and Elizabeth Neal. He was baptized at St. Mary, Whitnall (sp?) Street, on 13th December 1868. - He married Emma Billingsley on 27th December 1890 at St. James, Edmonton, Middlesex, England. - He died on 30 December 1945 at 2 South Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, England. - Emma Neal died on 27 February 1946 at 2 South Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, England. They had at least 8 children: 1. George Edward ("Ted"), born 24 November 1891 2. Rowland Arthur ("Arthur"), born 21 July 1898, died 1988 3. Gordon Ernest, born 17 October 1901, in Malaya. He married Jane Gregson in 1938. Died c.1974. Children are Valerie (who married Roderick Taylor) and Stephen (who married Elena) 4. Edna Dorothy ("Dolly"), born 27 March 1904, in Malaya (?) Died 1986 5. Leslie c.1906, in Malaya (?) 6. Beatrice Adelaide ("Billie"), born 14 August 1908, in Malaya (?). She married Frederick William Gregson (my Uncle Mick) in 1931. Died 1995. They had one child, Tony, who died from a hole-in-the-heart when maybe around 21 years of age 7. Clement Roger ("Dick"), born April-September 1913, in Malaya (?). He married Edith M. Wariner (or Warriner?) in 1936. 8. Vera Kathleen, MY MOTHER, born 8 May 1914 at 65, Thornbury Road, Handsworth, and was registered in June 1914. Baptized on 20 November 1915 at St. Mary, Kulala Lumpur, Malaya. She married Tom Carden Bassindale at St. John's Church, Polegate, England on 4 June 1938. Died December 1998 In the early 1920s, the family lived at 67, Bluff Road, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. George Frederick Neal was Master at Arms, Federated Malay States Police Force. There is a fascinating connection with William Somerset Maugham's short story, "The Letter", which was also made into a movie, starring Bette Davis. My maternal Grandfather was the person who examined the gun that was used in the real life shooting. This shooting incident caused a sensation in Malaya. viweb.freehosting.net/proudlock.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Proudlock_case

That's me on the left, with my younger friend, Linda, who grew up into an amazing woman and an even more amazing friend. This is the person (over in England) who arranged my brother's funeral just over a year ago, helped sort through every single item in his house and sent me photos of each thing by e-mail so that I could choose which precious items I wanted saving. All these things were carefully shipped over to Canada for me a few months ago. She, and my other friends, gave up a year of their lives to do all this - and many other things, too numerous to mention. Thanks, Linda - how proud your parents would be, to have raised a daughter like you!

These are my maternal Grandparents, George Frederick Neal and Emma Neal (nee Billingsley). I seem to remember being told that they saw me once as a baby before they died. I'm adding information with this image that has already been added to previously posted photos, in case someone "out there" happens to only come across this photo. Boring to anyone else not related, I know : ) George Frederick Neal: - Born on 14th November 1868 at Court 16, Weaman Street, Birmingham, England. - His parents were Edward and Elizabeth Neal. He was baptized at St. Mary, Whitnall (sp?) Street, on 13th December 1868. - He married Emma Billingsley on 27th December 1890 at St. James, Edmonton, Middlesex, England. - He died on 30 December 1945 at 2 South Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, England. - Emma Neal died on 27 February 1946 at 2 South Road, Hailsham, East Sussex, England. They had at least 8 children: 1. George Edward ("Ted"), born 24 November 1891 2. Rowland Arthur ("Arthur"), born 21 July 1898 3. Gordon Ernest, born 17 October 1901, in Malaya. He married Jane Gregson in 1938. 4. Edna Dorothy ("Dolly"), born 27 March 1904, in Malaya (?) 5. Leslie c.1906, in Malaya (?) 6. Beatrice Adelaide ("Billie"), born 14 August 1908, in Malaya (?). She married Frederick William Gregson (my Uncle Mick) in 1931. 7. Clement Roger ("Dick"), born April-September 1913, in Malaya (?). He married Edith M. Wariner (or Warriner?) in 1936. 8. Vera Kathleen, MY MOTHER, born 8 May 1914 at 65, Thornbury Road, Handsworth, and was registered in June 1914. Baptized on 20 November 1915 at St. Mary, Kulala Lumpur, Malaya. She married Tom Carden Bassindale at St. John's Church, Polegate, on 4 June 1938. In the early 1920s, the family lived at 67, Bluff Road, Kuala Lumpur, Malaya. George Frederick Neal was Master at Arms, Federated Malay States Police Force. There is a fascinating connection with William Somerset Maugham's short story, "The Letter", which was also made into a movie, starring Bette Davis. My maternal Grandfather was the person who examined the gun that was used in the real life shooting. This shooting incident caused a sensation in Malaya. viweb.freehosting.net/proudlock.htm en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethel_Proudlock_case

This photo (an image on a thin piece of metal) was amongst the old family photos that were shipped over to me from England about three months ago. I wish I knew who these people were - has to be from my father's side of the family. Maybe I'll be able to find out one day. I just think this is such a sweet photo. If I'm correct, the following information would apply to this image. My original photo has been cut to about 8 cm x almost 7 cm and has obviously been cut roughly and unevenly. "Tintypes were a cheap format photograph (about three English pence) where the image is formed on a thin sheet of lacquered iron. The image is dark and the surface can look quite mottled and imperfect or have an orange peel look if you reflect the light on to it. The metal is usually cut out quite roughly as if cut by hand without a guideline, using metal shears. The size varies but 9cm x 6cm (same as the print of a CDV) is typical, but it can be as large as 25cm x 10cm. They were first produced in 1852 and the American and English Patent was granted in 1856 - probably the earliest date one would expect to find. They were popular because they were strong and could be carried in a pocket, especially during the American Civil War period (1860s), and could be cut up to fit in lockets and jewellery. The image was in reverse, and only one unique photograph was made. It was not as popular in Europe as in America but there are English tintypes from the late 1850s, many in the 1880s and even as late as the 1930s, where they finally became the end of the pier photo or perhaps taken at fairgrounds." www.cartes.freeuk.com/time/date.htm

George Bassindale Gell is one of my paternal ancestors. Another name for George was George BASSINDALE. Edwin Gell was the son of George Bassindale Gell, as was my Grandfather Albert Elijah. They had a sister, Annie, and I believe another brother called George Henry and another brother who died quite young. It was in that generation that some people took the name Bassindale and some Gell. (Thanks, Jenny, for sending me this information!). So, I guess this gentleman in the photo was my Great Grandfather. Information on George Bassindale Gell (thanks to Art for the link!): Born: 1847, Belton, Axholme, Lincolnshire, England George married Charlotte Ann HOLMES, daughter of Elijah HOLMES and Hannah KILHAM, on 24 Dec 1867 in Haxey, Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom. (Charlotte Ann HOLMES was born before 1854.) • Census: UK 1871 National, 2 Apr 1871, Belton, Axholme, Lincolnshire, England. • Residence, 3 Apr 1881, Doncaster, Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom. • Residence, 1884, Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom. • Census: UK 1901 National, 31 Mar 1901, Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England, United Kingdom. His children were: 1. William Arthur Gell, b. 1868, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England, d. 2 Jan 1884, Epworth, Lincolnshire, England 2. George Thomas Gell, b. 1869, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England, d. 13 Feb 1870, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England 3. George Henry Gell, b. 9 Nov 1870, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England, d. 1944, Winchmore Hill, London, England. He is Pat Fincham's Grandfather. 4. Edwin Gell, b. 1872, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England 5. Thomas John Gell Bassindale, b. 1875, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England, d. 1901, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England 6. Albert Elijah Gell, b. 1877, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England 7. Ada Annie Gell Bassindale, b. 1882, Belton in Axholme, Lincolnshire, England In fact, I do have an old photo of Charlotte Ann, which I will post in the next little while.

I had no idea that my father ever had a motorbike, lol, so imagine my surprise when I came across this photo of him amongst the old family photos that I received from England a few months ago! That's a sidecar on the far side. He and my mother cycled for many years and I have endless photos of them with their bikes - but a motorbike, ha? This is so unlike the father I knew : ) I moved away from England to live overseas when I was 22 years old and so missed out on family talks and sharing of my parents' lives. Very sad, but it happens to many people when family members move away. The main thing I remember about him is that he LOVED photography (not as a professional) and was an exceptional photographer (according to others). I also have the best memories of all the times my parents took my brother and me out into the countryside around Birmingham, UK, at the weekends, on our bikes. My mother loved wildflowers and instilled this love in me, too. My father was passionate about photography and I guess that's where I get it from : )