The Wind of Change

I've no idea why, but during the last couple of weeks I've been inundated with photographs. The Victorian albums can be sold, but the rest usually end up in the bin, so I like having the opportunity to give some of these images a new life on the internet.

The following photos all come from an album that begins in 1940 and covers a period of roughly 20 years. As you will see, it is possible to construct some sort of loose narrative from the images:

1940. Judging by the trees in the background, this picture was taken either around the time or after the "miracle" of Dunkirk. As you can see, the British Army has been reduced to a ramshackle unit of ten soldiers, using equipment from World War One. In spite of this, the morale appears to have been high.

1942 and the Army is in a much stronger position, with smart new uniforms and modern weapons. It is time for the Empire to strike back:

This is the French Algerian entry for the 'Boring Postcards' competition. By now, Allied troops have driven the Germans out of North Africa and are preparing to launch the first invasion of mainland Europe.


A group shot taken in Rome, with St Peter's looming in the background. I'm not sure who the dodgy-looking civilian in the centre of the front row is, but perhaps he had 'local connections'.


A postcard from Fascist Italy. There are quite a few cards in the album and I like the idea that in the midst of this great chaos and upheaval, soldiers could still pop into a giornalaio and buy a few scenic views to send to the folks back home.

Peacetime. This is the earliest colour image I've come across and it resisted all of my attempts in Photoshop to achieve a more natural hue.

1946 and we are now in India, during the final days of the Raj. It looks like a good life, for some at least:

"Himalayas 1946"

The last few pages of the album feature scenes from different parts of the British Empire, including several years in different parts of Africa.

"Picnic off Gold Coast road (note teddy bear drinking gin) 16 Nov 52"

"On Bukit Lambak near Kluanc 800 feet up near microwave station"

Looking at the evidence - postcards, letters and photographs of their homes in Britain - these people didn't come from a moneyed, well-educated background, but enjoyed a remarkable standard of living. During their days in Nigeria, Ghana and Malaysia, they enjoyed huge houses with servants, fine weather and exotic locations. In Britain, the best they could hope for was a cramped suburban semi.

When the "Wind of Change" bought a swift end to the British Empire, these people must have returned home with heavy hearts.