This page makes the connection between a dated image of a car
with registration HS9 and a set of photos taken in Wales. The charming image, dated June 1925, has Stanley’s characteristic “SA” identifier above the date:
HS9 feature in several other images within album number 17th (of 32). The quality of these photos is, in general, not great, but there are 18 consecutive pages (36 images in total) that appear to have been taken in Wales.
The most recognisable location is Conwy:
Within album 17 there were a fair number of dramatic mountain scenes. Some of these featured dams that were readily identified as follows:
And HS9 somewhere nearby:
Dating the images
The backstory
There is an assumption that all the images of HS9 that feature in Stanley’s photo albums are from 1925. In 1925 Stanley had a young family – Jean who was born in November 1920 an Basil born in August 1922. The photos in Wales would appear not to have been family holidays as there are no images of either Jean or Basil. For comparison there are family shots, dated “June 1925” where both Jean and Basil feature.
The question remains as to what was the purpose of the trip to Wales in July 1925? One thought is that the trip related to Thomas Firth – the company Stanley worked for. This could explain the “HS” car registration – that included Glasgow. The 1911 census (written in is own hand) show Stanley’s occupation as “Commercial Traveller” in the “Steel and Iron” business. He was a boarder at 53 Holmesdale Road Highgate at the time of the census.
The case for an earlier date
The quality of the photos suggests an earlier date. The photos do not to have the individuality of Stanley’s other photos. This suggests that either Stanley did not process the photos himself. If the date is 1925 then what is Stanley doing in Wales with A.N other when he had a young family back in Harrow View.