Call Number:

Ms. Coll. 1324

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

0.3 linear_foot (1 box)

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Photograph album by a British soldier, 1944-1945, Ms. Coll. 1324, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1944-1945 (inclusive)

Form:

Snapshots, Photograph albums, and Photographs

Abstract:

Photograph album kept by an unidentified British soldier in the Royal Air Force stationed in India during World War II. The album spans from 1944-1945 and is comprised of 330 photographs.

A photograph album kept by an unidentified British soldier in the Royal Air Force stationed in India during World War II. Spanning approximately one year from 1944 to 1945 the album comprises 330 black-and-white photographs with captions in white ink. The images are of fellow soldiers, military stations, planes, temples, churches, landscapes, local people, and cultural customs. The photographs were taken at several cities in India including Agra, Avadi, Chennai, Kashmir, Lucknow, Mumbai, Port Suez, and Wellington. There are images taken in Pune of Air Force stations with soldiers, bomber, and reconnaissance Mosquito planes. Other military sites include Arkonam, Avadi, and Wellington. Several pages in the volume are dedicated to historical sites in Agra, Kashmir, Lucknow and include sightseeing images of temples, buildings, and people. There are two pages with views of the Taj Mahal. Several pages have a heading at the top: "General scenes of Indian life". The scenes depict beggars, families, dances, festivals, fishing, house boats, historical sites, landscapes, snake charmers, and streetscapes. The years 1944 and 1945 appear on the verso of many of the snapshots. A few photographs in the volume are loose. The green album is housed in a black canvas slipcase. Several pages at the end of the volume are blank.