One of our members, Margaret Bampton, recently came across an old photo album in an antique shop. The seller assured her that it was from a family who came from the Shinfield area & so we’re posting some of the pictures in the hope that we can identify some people!

This one has a sign in the field saying "Robert Veitch & Son Ltd"

There are many that appear to be taken during WWII. We do know that Spencers Wood provided soldiers billeting facilities at Stanbury Park and there are Royal Engineers based in Arborfield. It does appear though that some of these men are of different nationalities – perhaps they are prisoners of war?

You might recognise some of the buildings?

There are a number of the same man that appears to be convalescing, and since there are pictures of nurses that would seem to be logical.

There are also a few of some girls enjoying a day out at the seaside – you might recognise the seafront!

A word about “Robert Veitch & Sons Ltd”  – either they were a gardening dynasty who ran businesses in London and Devon, and funded the Wellingtonia (although the name was actually given by botanist John Lindley). The company was bought by Sutton & Sons in Reading in 1913 OR Is Veitch your family surname and do you recognise any of these people?  If you can give us any clues, please respond to the blog!