XMAS Challenge 6: The Training Reserve Battalions

Xmas Challenge 5: Photographs by Percy Landon of Watford

Xmas 2014 Challenge - "Rules" - Link to Bigger Picture

In the Autumn of 1916 the way troops were trained was changes. Previously new recruits were allocated to on on the existing regiments, but the new arrangement was to have Training Reserve Battalions and the men were only allocated to regiments when their training was complete.  The picture here is the 20 Platoon, F Company,  22nd T.R.B. and was taken by L. L. Christmas, of St Albans. Most of the men in this photograph are wearing the General Service cap badge - but six in the middle of the 2nd row are wearing distinctive cap badges.  

Xmas Challenge 5: Photographs by Percy Landon of Watford

Xmas 2014 Challenge - "Rules" - Link to Bigger Picture

An unknown soldier - but at least the cap badge should be identifiable. There is a message on the back in very poor handwriting - could this be a clue? Apart from the date (January 14th 1916) what does it say? This photograph, and the one below, were taken by Percy Landon of Watford.

Group, mainly ladies, circa 1910

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Football

In addition there are a number of other group photographs taken by Percy Landon including two football teams. All sensible suggestions (or dateable examples of Percy's work wiil attract a donation.  And of course if you want to make a donation yourself - because you like the challenge, or have found this site useful over the year just click on the donation box.

XMAS Challenge 4: Who was the Abbot in the 1907 St Albans Pageant?

Xmas 2014 Challenge - "Rules" - Link to Bigger Picture

The back of this card has the following words added "The Abbot and Monks of St Albans in 1380. The Peasants Revolt. Episode VI. Watford."  Now I know that Episode VI of the St Albans Pageant of 1907 was about the Peasants Revolt and the pageant involved people from other towns and villages - so did the Abbot and his monks come from Watford. I will donate £2 for each name of a monk (£5 if you can tie it to an individual in the picture) - the names may well be given in the programme or press reports.

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The second card came from the same ebay seller and is by a Watford photographer and picture framer, C. A. Solomons. So could it also relate to the St Albans Pageant. Could the lady with the "sun"crown be Queen Boadicea? £5 if you can confirm it relates to the pageant (£10 if you can tie it to a different event) and £2 for each actor's name - increased to £5 if you can link the name with a face.

I would also be interested to know of other photographs of the pageant, or identified photographs by C. A. Solomons.

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If, between you, you can identify everyone this could result in me donating £50 tp support mental health work in Hertfordshire. And of course if you want to make a donation yourself - because you like the challenge, or have found this site useful over the year just click on the donation box..

XMAS Challenge 3: Are they the Herts Imperial Yeomanry? and what is the event?

Xmas 2014 Challenge

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XMAS Challenge 2: Schoolchildren at Watford? circa 1910

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Xmas 2014 Challenge

XMAS Challenge 1: A group of soldiers and civilians in St Albans(?) circa 1915

Xmas 2014 Challenge

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Christmas Challenge 2014 - Rules

This year I am setting a "quiz" with a difference. The trick is that I don't know the answers to the questions and the prizes all go to this site's chosen charity - the Herts Mind Network. The more people do to find the answers the more the charity benefits!

Each day between now and the New Year I will be posting one (or sometimes two) pictures showing people - and in each case the aim is to uncover as much of the story behind the card as possible. (In fact all the pictures are already on line and can be seen in advance here)

For each face where someone can give a definite name I will personally donate £5 (£2 if you can name someone who was there - but cannot identify them). £5 will be donated for each regimental cap badge recognized. When not already known £5 will be given for locations and dates. Relevant information relating to the subject may also attract a reward, at my discretion.

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While the closing date is the end of the year I will consider donations for good answers received any time in 2015.

And of course if you want to make a donation yourself - because you like the challenge, or have found this site useful over the just click on the donation box on the right.  I could end up donating several hundred pounds if all the questions are answered - so it would be nice if all the readers of this message could, together, exceed this amount.