Arthur Belbin Collection 1

The photographs in this album belonged to Terry Belbin’s grandfather, Arthur Belbin (1891-1972). Arthur married Amy Stokes (1898-1937) in 1925 and most appear to date from the 1890s to 1920s. The family lived in Alderbury near Salisbury in Wiltshire, England. Details of the family can be found in BelbinMania Family Trees – UK Tree 1. The photographs show people who probably meant something to Arthur and Amy but their identities are mostly unknown. They may be Belbin or Stokes but also might be friends, neighbours or work colleagues. Who knows? If you have any information you would like to share, please do add a comment against the photograph.

Unknown Woman

Possibly a relation of Arthur Belbin, rather than of Amy Stokes, but that assumption is based on physical appearance only. c.1890s Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Unknown Woman

There are no clues to offer here. c.1890s, Brighton, Sussex, England.

Robert & Amy Stokes

The woman’s facial features are similar to later photographs of Amy Stokes and suggest that she is a young Amy Stokes (1898-1937). Amy did not have any children until 1927, so the boy could be her brother, Robert Stokes (1910-1983). The photographer was B.S. Mullins of Castle Street, Salisbury. c.1916 -1918, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

2 Seated Women, Unknown

There are no clues as to the women’s identities. The photograph was taken by F. Futcher of 19 Fisherton St, Salisbury.

Woman & 4 Girls

There are no clues as to the woman and children’s identities. The photograph was taken by F. Futcher of 19 Fisherton St, Salisbury probably in 1919 by reference to the photographer’s order no. c.1919, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Unknown Soldier

Arthur Belbin served in the Wiltshire Regiment and the cap badge in this photograph appears to be that of the Wiltshire Regiment, so the soldier could just be a friend of Arthur’s rather than a family member. Unfortunately, there are no other clues to this man’s identity. Possibly pre 1914.

Unknown Soldier

This photograph is printed as a postcard by F. Futcher of 19 Fisherton Street, Salisbury and the uniform may be that of the Royal Artillery. There is an order number on the back. If only we could find F. Futcher’s order book! Possibly pre 1914, Salisbury, Wiltshire.

Unknown Soldier

There are no clues about this photograph whatsoever. All that is known is that Arthur Belbin kept it for a reason. Possibly pre 1914.

Unknown Soldier

2 Unknown Soldiers

This photograph is printed on a French postcard and features 2 soldiers in the uniform of the Royal Engineers. It could perhaps have been taken in France during WWI but the identity of the 2 individuals remain a mystery.

Group of 4 Soldiers

The men wear the uniform of the Royal Engineers but their identities are unknown. They most likely were service colleagues of Arthur Belbin who also served in France with the Royal Engineers Corps of the Wiltshire Regiment. Possibly during WW1, France.

Group of 5 Soldiers

This is another photograph taken of Royal Engineers in France and again one surmises that they were colleagues of Arthur Belbin in the Wiltshire Regiment serving in France.

Group of 3 Uniformed Boys

This photograph has had a lot of abuse over the years. That suggests it has been often handled which again implies the three individuals were important to either Arthur (more likely) or Amy. There are no clues as to the identities of the young men or where the photograph was taken. Possibly pre 1914.

Unknown Soldier

This photograph has the following message on the reverse: “With love from Harry to Mrs Stokes”. The cap badge is of theWiltshire Regiment and the uniform may be of the Royal Artillery. From the written message, one might infer the photograph is of Henry Charles Stokes (Amy’s brother b.1903) and the addressee is Elizabeth Stokes, his mother, but Henry’s descendants say that he was always called Charlie and are not convinced that the photograph is of him. Possibly during or post WWI.