A stylised bird image above the word Kano appearing on the base of an oval brass platter. See details of the platter here
I have used the image in several places and this post provides some of the details of where the images can be found. The hope is that image scans will be bring viewers to this post.
AI has its say:
Google Lens already has some suggestions as to the source of the image. The Generative AI in Lens suggested the Appleyard Duck and I have added it to the title of this post. A screen shot (as of 31st March 2025) is shown below:
The Appleyard duck reference is incorrect. There can be no Nigerian connection with the Appleyard Duck. However AI has, nonetheless, shown up shown up this unexpected connection between John Johnson and Stanley Appleyard – my two Grandfathers.
Back to the image in the wild:
The following are places where the stylised bird image may be found.
London Belongs To Me also left by the bar at Southwark Playhouse
William Boyd’s afternoon novel on the same shelves as of 6pm 12th April 2025
Elizabeth Strout novel left on the bookshelf outside the Garden Museum – Lambeth 12th May 2025
Descriptions of the Kano stylised bird image locations are deliberately incomplete. Please record full details if you have come to this page through a scan of the image.
Synology Photos and Photoshop Elements the battles
A post to record my experiences of the two in trying to manage the extensive Appleyard photo collections. Inevitably a bit of a rant but hopefully a record of what I have learnt along the way. So first a table with a list of things worth noting – and remembering:
***Table to be constructed in Excel and imported***
Experience has taught me that editing table content in TablePress is no fun. Meanwhile todays (28th June 2022) thoughts. Decided that I should really complete the web pages and related pages concerning John Johnson’s time in Nigeria. For that I wanted to add images of the other two stools. I had already created background-free images for the Nupe stool etc. But could I find the original images and Photoshop project files (psd)? Much time wasted looking for missing photos taken on the HTC1. Some time later I found them.
The answer was that I had recently moved these from the ‘shared’ photo directory (drive A) to the personal photo directory on drive B. This was done so that the HTC phone photos had GPS data that meant the photos showed up on Sedbergh and London locations. Given the GPS data was not relevant to the photos I moved them for clarity – or so I thought. Anyway all PSD files found in PhotoLibrary/2021/11 directory. Phew!
September 2022 rant
Today’s rant – 19th September 2022 – funeral going on in the background (how disrespectful). Finally got the Oberammergau holiday photos from September 1964 organised. All but one now have a GPS tag – although the guest house location (3 photos) are not accurately located. Three 120 roll films (negative location N1 R2 and R5) yielded 31 photos with complete negative order. Photos tagged ‘Sep 1964’. My rant is that adjusting the date in the organiser and saving details to file makes no difference to the date attributes on the file. I am sure I have logged this somewhere else. Just a thought – perhaps it is because the date is set to unknown day (and time) that means it isn’t stored in the file. Just a thought……
19th November 2022
Some thoughts about progress filing Basil’s boxes of photos.
Two issues needed addressing – the first required a new supply of (3 by 3) archive photo pockets (from my-history.co.uk) and the second was “uncurling” the photos. An order for 25 sheets (each holding 18 photos) seemed excessive – but 20 are already in use. The uncurling was achieved by leaving photos in a humid container – basically a sealed storage box with room temperature water and a set of 12 photos raised above the water (on a metal grille). I dried the photos between kitchen paper and weighed them down with the OED.
11th July 2023: An update to this rant. I see there is still a “missing” table referred to in the first paragraph and the post remains in draft format. Clearly some unfinished work in progress. This seems to be a common a problem with all my current projects – I start something and am unable to perfect it and it remains unfinished. So, time for a new approach. The plan is to record each day (some hope) the random paths that have occupied my thoughts throughout the day. The intention being to provide image related background by way of interest and for providing the basis of more rounded webpages to follow.
July 2023 update
So to start a bit of background to where we are as of 11th July. A list might help:
Adding GPS data to Stanley Appleyard photos – primarily Album 05
Identifying family images at Austhorpe Hall (diversion 1)
Re-evaluating scanned family tree with reference to Ancestry.co.uk (diversion 2)
What are the locations of the boating images in Album 05? (diversion 4)
Sorting out SEO stuff for this page (diversion 5)
Fixing nagging message about out of date PHP version on this site (diversion 6)
Update as of 18th July 2023
Finally got back to updating this page after a week spent getting to the bottom of how the PHP version was set (diversion 5). Following paragraph records the route to the solution – purely for my future reference.
WebStation
Mostly wasted time messing around with debug settings in wp-config files. Good to remind myself of all that stuff. At some point I investigated the Synology Web Station package and eventually “uncovered” the sidebar hidden to the left of the Status page. This caught me out before. Is it just my settings? Anyway the “Script Language Settings” provided the solution. I updated the selected PHP version for the customised profile to be 7.4 and the annoying warning message in my other WordPress site has gone. At some point I will need to create an 8.0 profile. But that is for later.
John Johnson’s (JJ) photos from Calabar, Nigeria dated 1922 and 1924. JJ annotated them at the time and the transcriptions follow.
Calabar 1922 – Victory Challenge Sports on armistice day
JJ seems to have sent these photos back to his wife Mary, living at the time in Harrogate, England.
Colourised
Annotation on the back reads as follows:
Victory Challenge Shield Sports at Calabar Armistice Day 1922 Our house in background with Waff band in centre Start of 100 yards race is shown Merry Christmas JJ
Another photo of the same occasion:
Colourised – Race in progress JJ holding finishing tape.
Annotated: – I (JJ) am on left of white post holding tape for finish of race in progress.
Calabar 1924 – War Memorial
This later photo, taken during Mary’s visit to Nigeria in 1924:
Annotation on the rear reads as follows: Calabar War Memorial Erected in 1923 JJ. PWD Engineer Photo given to MJ S/S Edmund Dec/24 by Capt Harding. WAFF
My interpretation of of the above is that JJ appears to have been responsible for the erection of this memorial, MJ is JJ’s wife Mary and WAFF is the West African Frontier Force[2].
Calabar brass tray
The final connection with Calabar is a large decorated brass tray. This tray imported from England and decorated in Calabar. Nigerian artefacts from Bida and Kano shows details of this tray and its history.
Describing the significant artefacts that JJ collected from his time working as an engineer in Nigeria (1914-1934). JJ brought the artefacts to Pendeen in 1946 and there they remained until the house was sold in 2015. Some of the brassware are inscribed ‘Bida”[1] others and the silver bowls are inscribed “Kano”[2]. The other significant brass tray has been identified as coming from Calabar[3] – a place that JJ was known to have lived in – details here.
The context of JJ’s time in Nigeria can be found here.
Artefacts from Bida
Evidence that JJ visited Bida[1] arise from two small brass bowls inscribed with “Bida” on the base (see below). In addition there are a number of similar brass bowls and plates all with geometric patterns, presumed also to be from Bida. Assumption is that JJ travelled to Bida by train and purchased them there. Perhaps this was in 1928 while his wife Mary was with him in Nigeria.
In addition there are 3 wooden stools from Nigeria, exact origin unknown:
Nupe stool top and legs
Base of Nupe stool
10 legged “Nupe” stool[4] presumably purchased from Bida[5][6]
One of two similar stools. The facial features suggest source is the Yoruba tribe in Nigeria.[7]
Second Yoruba stool[8]. Clearly of same source with similar style toes. Height 40cm.
One of two 9cm diameter brass bowls inscribed Bida on the base. Height 4cm.
Yoruba leopard holding tray. 16cm tall. Brass. Note feet match those of stools above.
Artefacts from Kano
The only evidence for JJ visiting Kano are several artefacts inscribed “Kano”[2]. Kana was accessible by train and no doubt JJ would have had reasons to travel there. Perhaps JJ was accompanied by his wife Mary in 1928 and maybe Mary had a hand in their purchase.
Brass tray 60cm diameter inscribed “Aikena Amadu Kano” on base. This tray is dated 1925[9].
Silver bowl Aikena Amadu Kano
Silver bowl 7.5cm diameter also inscribed “Aikena Amadu Kano” on base. Presumably purchased 1920s
Oval Brass tray from Kano, Nigeria. 36cm by 24cm. Bird with stylised feathers embossed on rear with the word ‘Kano’
Brass tray from Calabar
Large brass charger, 91cm diameter showing African Oil Plam tree central, giraffe left and stylised elephant/rhinocerous right, with winged image above the tree. Brass charger originated in England and decorated in Efik city of Old Calabar[10].
In September 1951 my father, Basil Appleyard, attended the 102 FRS Vampire course. This post shows some of images scanned rom Basil’s collection of negatives taken during 1951. The first image shows Basil in the cockpit of a Vampire FB5. RAF North Luffenham September 1951
Basil in Vampire FB5 assumed to be VV477Basil second right and others on the 102 FRS North Luffenham
Basil’s log books show that during 1951 he attended both a 4 VR Spitfire and a 4VR Vampire course with the 102 FRS unit at RAF North Luffenham. The image above and the ones immediately below are from the Vampire course that ran from the 3rd to the 20th September.
Two joking over rear of Vampire 5Basil (assumed) in Vamp V see imag676“Boys & Vamp V”
For completeness the following images were from the the Spitfire 22 course that Basil attended from the 14th to the 28th August. This was also held at North Luffenham.
Spitfire 22 – RAF North Luffenham August 1951
And bringing it altogether a sketch of the offices attending. The artist appears to be A. Appleby who is sketched drawing himself front right:
Basil re-joined the RAF on 7th January 1952. His first posting was with 151 squadron at RAF Leuchars where he flew Vampires both FB5 and FB10.
My grandparents John and Mary Johnson bought Number 3 Highfield Road in 1946 and the house remained in the family until 2016. I have often wondered where the name Pendeen came from. The name is prominently inscribed in locally cast concrete on the front of the pair of houses in Highfield Road. Other than three years in the 1970s I never lived in Pendeen. It was only some years later that I came across Pendeen, the village, in Cornwall. This set me wondering whether there was a connection between Pendeen Highfield Road Sedbergh and Pendeen the village in Cornwall[2].
Highfield Road – in the beginning
The 1891 census contains no references to houses in Highfield Road. An 1894 image[3] and an 1897 map[4] show only Briarwood and “The Gowans”. The 1901 census, and a 1901 image[5], show Pendeen along with its neighbours Fernleigh, The Gowans and Briarwood. The 1897 map appears to indicate that “HighField Villas” included all these named houses. Certainly Highfield Road and house number did not feature in the postal address. In the 1901 census, Pendeen’s occupants in the 1901 census are as follows. Two school masters, status of “Boarder” occupy number 3 and a Thomas Dennis with his wife Elizabeth Ann and their 5 children aged 21-11 live at No. 4. Presumably Thomas Dennis also owns No. 3. It is Thomas who had links to Pendeen, Cornwall.
Thomas Dennis era at number 4
The 1901 census shows Thomas Dennis was born in “Cornwall” [and an unreadable location], and Elizabeth was born in Penzance. The 1891 census shows similar information for Thomas and Elizabeth, (they were living in Long Lane, Sedbergh). Thomas came from St Just in Penwith – a parish that includes Pendeen.
Elizabeth Ann dies on 11th October 1907. The 1911 census shows Thomas Dennis still at Number 4 but now living alone with Emily Benson Dennis. Two references to “Pendeen” appear on this census record. Firstly, Thomas’s birthplace is “Cornwall, Pendeen”. Secondly the record shows the postal address for the Number 4 is “Pendeen, Sedbergh, Yorkshire”. The link between Pendeen Highfield Road Sedbergh and Pendeen, Cornwall has been established. On 23rd June 1912 Thomas Dennis dies, his time at Pendeen, his creation, lasting less than 15 years.
Emily Benson Fitch at number 4
Meanwhile, Emily Benson Fitch had been living in Long Lane Sedbergh since at least 1900. Then on the 23 December 1909 Emily married Thomas Dennis at St John The Baptist church in Leytonstone, Essex. Emily’s brother Charles William Fitch who also lived locally witnessed the wedding. The couple then returned to live at Pendeen, as recorded in the 1911 census, until Thomas’s death in June 1912.
The 1939 register for Pendeen shows Emily Benson Dennis still living there. Also shown are Henrietta Bennett and her husband George Herbert Bennett. It turns out that Henrietta is Emily’s step daughter i.e. Elizabeth Ann’s daughter. Henrietta and George married in Sydney, New South Wales on October 8th 1906.
On 15th April 1950 Emily Benson Dennis dies aged 90. Then on the 26th August 1950 the Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer announced the sale of “Pendeen, Highfield Road”. The Bradford Observer reported the sale on the 7th September 1950: “Pendeen, Highfield Road sold for £1,750. Solicitors: Hague & Hague Sedbergh”
3 and 4 – the later years
George Braithwaite lived at number 4 – presumably buying it in September 1950. Subsequent to that Doctor Bailey lived there with his wife – I have vague recollections of them from the 1970s. I can find no local references to them. So ends, for now, Number 4’s story. My grandparents John and Mary Johnson had come to live in Sedbergh in 1941 buying number 3 in 1946. John who was a member of the parish council died in September 1951. Mary continued to live there until 1968? Mary returned to Pendeen in 1974 when it became the family home again with Basil, Johnny (Iva Mary Johnson), Brian and Roy. Johnny died in 1982 and Basil continued to live on in Pendeen until his death on 2013.
Pendeen the legacy
Pendeen was sold in 2016 ending 70 years of occupation by the Johnson – Appleyard family. Amongst the 70 years of accumulated stuff were a number of items from the time John Johnson worked as a civil engineer in Nigeria. A set of posts is coming soon.
JJ Caricature unknown date
John Johnson source unknown, and a very early Johnnie Walker Red Label whisky bottle – no Striding Man logo -possibly as early as 1942.
Basil Appleyard was a pilot flying Javelins with 46 squadron RAF Waterbeach from August 1960 until July 1961. This post shows some of Basil’s photos taken while at RAF Waterbeach . These photos appear in the 46 Squadron website and confirm their location. The links to the squadron website are are given at the end of the post.
Basil attended the Squadron Reunion held on the 22nd April 1961 while stationed at RAF Waterbeach. Basil’s photos recording this event can be found here:- RAF 46 Squadron reunion 1961
The following image appears on the 46 squadron “The NightFighter Era” page link given below:-
RAF Waterbeach held the 44th RAF 46 Squadron Annual reunion 22nd April 1961. The RAF 46 Squadron reunion has been an annual event for over 100 years. This year 2020 no such reunion has been possible.
My original site was specifically created for Stanley Appleyard’s extensive photo collection. Since then I have scanned Basil’s photo collection – primarily from 120 roll film negatives. Basil’s photos did not fit into the the original website structure. Hence then need for a new website. The contents of this site will be as follows:
