A long-lost photograph of a mystery soldier could help fill in the blanks of a north-east family tree.
The picture of the man, dressed in Royal Army Medical Corps Territorial Force uniform, was discovered by Margaret Rhodes, who found it in a collection of photographs owned by her great aunt in Doncaster.
However, Ms Rhodes’ relative had never travelled to the Granite City – sparking questions as to how it came into her possession.
The only clue to the photograph’s existence is in a stamp on the bottom corner, which reads: “Miss F Maxwell, 187 Rosemount Place, Aberdeen”.
Further research has shown that Miss Maxwell was registered as a photographer at that address between 1918 and 1925 – presumably after the end of World War I.
However, no more information has been uncovered which could help reveal the soldier’s identity.
Ms Rhodes said: “There’s nothing written on the other side of the postcard, and it just has the stamp as far as I can see, showing there’s some connection with Aberdeen.
“My great aunts kept lots of things and I’ve become the keeper of all of them over the last few years as I’ve been looking into WWI and our family’s connections.
“They had quite a few of soldiers from near to them in Doncaster but this one is such a clear photograph and his face seems to tell a story.
“Some photos have names or regiment and service number details whereas others have no identification whatsoever.”
It is theorised that the soldier may have travelled from the north-east and ended up staying with or nearby the Rhodes family after the war, and left the photograph with them as a memento.
Ms Rhodes said: “I have one or two relatives who we don’t have any photographs of.
“Maybe someone can tie this into their family history.
“It could be that someone out there will recognise this as their grandfather, great uncle or great grandfather.”
