Wartime album sparks pub mystery (From Swindon Advertiser)
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Wartime album sparks pub mystery
6:30pm Friday 6th July 2012 in News By Josh Layton
Landlord Don Keen, left, and Peter Green, of Swindon Back Garden Residents’ Group, with the photo album found in the Wheatsheaf pub
A PUB landlord is appealing for the owner of a photo album showing scenes from the Second World War to come forward.
Don Keen found the leather-bound book as he was clearing out a room at the The Wheatsheaf, in Newport Street, Old Town.
The pictures include shots of battleships, including the minesweeper HMS Storm-cloud and the battleship HMS Duke of York.
Personal photographs include a black-and-white image of a young family alongside the words “these are the days I love the most.”
The message is signed off “love Win.”
A couple are also pictured on their wedding day, while another picture of a group of sailors on HMS Jamaica carries the label: “Passed by censor not for publication.”
Mr Keen, who took over the pub in December, said: “Some of the rooms upstairs in the pub haven’t been touched for years.
“Before that point it was a big hotel and every man and his dog stayed here at one time.
“There are 10 rooms and they all had something in, but the leather-bound album really stood out when I saw it, some of the pictures are of battleships, but others are personal.
“It would be nice to get it back to its rightful owner as it could be someone’s dad, granddad or uncle.”
Mr Keen asked some of the pub’s regulars but nobody could solve the mystery.
Other pictures in the album date from the 1950s, 60s and possibly 70s.
Peter Green, the chairman of Swindon Back Garden Residents’ Group, is also appealing for the rightful owner to come forward.
He said: “It’s very sad that this album has been lost. It’s part of a family history.
“Someone should be looking at it and learning about their relatives.”
Anyone who recognises the pictures can call the pub on 01793 496396.
