The moment I saw this week’s theme I knew exactly what photos I was going to share.
The two photographs are of the same lady, Emma Jane West nee Ellis. Emma Jane was the daughter of Henry and Caroline Harris nee Ellis and was born to the couple just after they married in October 1864.
The first picture (left) shows Emma Jane as a young woman. There is something very appealing with this photograph. Emma Jane married her Cousin William Arthur West, a widower in 1897 and I think this photograph dates from around that time.
The second photograph is of Emma Jane around the period of the end of the First World War. Emma is wearing a locket with a photograph of her son, William James West born in 1898. William sadly died in France in 1918 just two months before the First World War ended. If you look very carefully, you can just make out the picture of William James.
Incase, though you can not see the photograph clearly of William James, here is is. This photograph dates from before William sees the horrors of France. He was so young.
Taking part in Sepia Saturday
Julie Goucher ~ Anglers Rest 
It is indeed Pauleen. Haven't seen you about for a week or so. Hope you are OK!
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A beautiful woman; so sad William was lost so young.
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The eyes really do speak eloquently. A sad story indeed.
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Poignant from start to finish, from photos to story. Thanks
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She has such beautiful eyes.
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Yes, YES! I just quoted that very saying in a recent comment, one that had so many deep eyes!!! Great post, thank you.
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Although posed, the first photograph doesn't take away her personality – it seems to shine through.
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What beautiful photographs. Those first two show the same face but in different poses, but the same thing seems to radiate from both of them – maybe a sadness and an anticipation of sadness.
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I agree that there is something very appealing about the first photo. I also like the lovely shirt, with what looks like a crocheted collar.
I think it is wonderful (but sad) that so many mothers wore their children close to their hearts. I have often wondered if this was the tradition when someone went to war or when a son had died? I wonder what ever happened to the locket (same with the locket belonging to one of my relatives).
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Well spotted! – Post suitably amended. Caroline and Henry Harris married in October 1864 and Emma Jane was baptised in November the same year!
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No, the first photograph is William's mother as a young woman and I think predates her marriage in 1897.
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Thank-you for showing William James' picture too. It's Memorial Day (weekend) here in the United States, so your post is doubly meaningful and timely.
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That 1844 date doesn't seem to make sense.
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Is it possible that this is William's sister, rather than his mother? She doesn't seem old enough.
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Oh, William James was so young in that uniform — not old enough to go to war, certainly…but then, that's what we seem to do! Touching post, truly.
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A sad tale with poignant photographs.
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