Genealogy Chat

I have a photo of a relative who was in a picture with Queen Mary and King George! Could anyone possibly have any idea about the date of this photo and also would anyone be able to identify the venue or occasion?? I do not know the name of the relative in the pic nor do I have any history - just the pic! Any royal buffs out there??? Kate

I have a pic of a rellie with Queen Mary too!! (but mine has all the details on the back! LOL - my rellie was a family historian and a registrar, so he knew those in the future would want to know LOL!!!) Have you tried looking on any Royal websites for clues?? Merry

I belive that would be King George V. 1911-1936.ish? Pat

Thanks - done lots of searches on Q Mary on internet but never come up with anything! It must have been a hospital as there is a nurse there but I do not know much else. It is possible in Kent nr Bromley area as this is where my lot came from but could also have been Hendon area too. Kate

You could try using the website for the monachy which is at:- www.royal.gov.uk They give this address and phone number for contacting them:- Public Information Office Members of the public seeking information about the Monarchy or Royal Family may contact the Public Information Office by post or by telephone. The office is unable to respond to enquiries submitted by e-mail. Public Information Officer Buckingham Palace London SW1A 1AA They might be able to give you some information as to where and when the photo was taken. Kath. x Tel (during working hours): (+44) (0)20 7930 4832

Well, there is a Queen Mary hospital in Sidcup (close to London Borough of Bromley, kent)- have a google, it may be they were there for the opening. It was built for the victims of burns in the Great WAR 1914-1918 and pioneered plastic surgery. They actually have an archives for the hospital, so you could scan and send them your photo to see if they recognise it.

Hi Kate. I am sitting her racking my brains to try to be of help, but my memory is failing me (yet again!). My mother was a nurse in the 30s and early 40s, and used to tell a story of how Queen Mary used to visit the hospital/nursing home where my mother was working, quite regularly. Queen Mary had all her ladies in waiting crocheting baby blankets for the maternity unit. They were a real pain, because the babies got their tiny fingers caught in the holes (you know what crochet is like!). So the blankets were never normally used, just kept in a cupboard and when Queen Mary was visiting, the staff had to run round like mad things changing the blankets to these crocheted ones just for the visit. Occasionally, she arrived unannounced, with perhaps just one lady in waiting, and then had to be stalled by Matron until the staff had had time to change the blankets over. What I cannot remember, I am afraid, is where this was. It was either a nursing home at Freeland, Oxfordshire, where my mother was from about 1930 to 1936, or in Watford, where she trained as a midwife in the early 1940s. From 1936 to 1939 she was at Barts in London, doing her SRN training, but I am quite sure it was not Barts where this happened. Watford is my best guess, as I know my mother was a trainee midwife then so would of course be with the mothers and babies. Queen Mary would be the Queen Mother by that time - which would probably give her more time for dropping in out of the blue! Don't know if this is any help. Sorry the brain is not more accurate! Tina PS If you google for Princess Mary of Teck you might get more information.

Ah Kate, just reread your message and realised that King George is in the picture, so that rules out the Watford suggestion, as he was dead by then. It must have been Freeland where this happened - I think maybe she came to visit when she was staying at Windsor, that fits and seems vaguely familiar. Why she was particularly attached to this nursing home, I really cannot remember I am afraid. Tina

Queen Mary must have been keen to get folks knitting! My mum recalls being asked to help to knit vests, when she worked in service for a titled Lady in Slough. Mum says they would be sent off in a big basketwork container for Queen Mary to distribute. Queen Mary was a friend of this Lady and would bring the 2 young princesses to visit her at home sometimes.

This is incredibly useful stuff people - thanks! You are really helping to bring thids to life. Letter to Royal Archives drafted! Going to visit Queen Mary Hospital next Monday - so hopefully should come up with something soon. Kate