Street Photography

Back in the 1930s, 40s and 50s, enterprising photographers shot photographs of passing couples. A few  shillings changed hands and addresses were exchanged. A couple of weeks later, the print(s) arrived through the post. This is my mother and father in London circa 1947. They were probably off to the West End to see a show when they were photographed.

My father's war didn't end until late 1946. He was a recipient of the General Service Medal clasp S E Asia 1945-46. It was awarded to British personnel involved in South-East Asia after the Japanese surrender of 15 August 1945. They were engaged in various activities such as guarding Japanese POWs and maintaining law and order. By November 1946, the troops had handed over their responsibilities to the territories' former colonial powers.

It was not just routine work. British troops fought a major battle as part of the Indonesian National Revolution. At one point, Japanese POWs were given weapons and fought alongside the British. My father was there!

For more on this remarkable battle, click HERE