Craven (1993) states that John Westmorland operated as a photographer in Derby in the late 1850s, but that he mainly worked for John Davis & Son, a firm of opticians, mathematical & mining instrument makers and photographic equipment suppliers in Irongate.  He was primarily employed as an optician, although CDVs by him from the period 1855-1861 are known, and a photograph of Peace Celebrations taken by him in 1856 is shown below.  White (1857) shows Westmoreland at 47 Elms Street, but he later lived in Milton Street until at least 1891.  By 1895, he was shown living at 44 Gerard Street.  By 1901 he was retired, although still living in Derby.  His eldest son Thomas Westmoreland also became an optician for a while, although had followed his younger brother William into the fitting and turning trade at the Midland Railway works by 1901.

Image © & courtesy of Picture the Past

Notes from Picture the Past:  Peace Celebrations in 1856 after the Crimean War, Rotten Row (off Derby Market Place) and Corn Market, Derby, showing a celebration arch to celebrate the peace after the Crimean war (1854-56).  The 95th (Derbyshire Regiment) of the Sherwood Foresters were involved in fighting in the conflict with Russia in the Crimea, and Lt General Sir Drury Curzon Drury Lowe of Locko Park also saw distinguished service there, as did another Derbyshire personality, Florence Nightingale.  The banner mentions the Battles of Inkerman (5th Nov 1854) and Balaklava (25th Oct 1854).

Image © & courtesy of Derby Local Studies Library

Notes:

Image © & courtesy of John Bradley