Arnott Album - 20th Century Photographs
1940s Arnott Album - Roger Vaughan Personal Collection (list 117)

Return to homepage

The Cover of the Luxette Album

View of some pages


View of some pages


A black 'Luxette' 20th Century Photograph Album, A. G. & S., Ltd., London E.C.1 (30cm x 24.5cm) 60 page (sides) for photographs.

This family photograph album was started in South Africa about 1947 and may have had a military reason for being there. The family later returned to England.


The Imperial Military Hospital, Baragwanath, Johannesburg.

Brief history of the hospital to provide background to the photographs

On 23 September 1942, Field Marshall Smuts officially opened the hospital. He used the opportunity to indicate the post war plan, which was that the Government would use the hospital for the Black population of the Witwatersrand. In the meantime Baragwanath was called on to deal with casualties of the war, mainly from the Middle East command. During the latter part of the war Baragwanath treated mostly Tuberculosis patients, not only from Middle East Command, but also from the Far East Command - mainly the Burma theatre.

It is therefore not surprising that Baragwanath Hospital was an important venue for the Royal visit in 1947. Many British and Commonwealth troops were still recovering here, and King George VI used the opportunity to present medals on that day (5 April 1947].
Today in 2004, the hospital is named the 'Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital'. (from the hospital website)


1946 Photos

February 1946, Baragwanath. Back row: L to R. Joan Barkely, Captain French, Joan Barnett, Centre: Father Rolls, Front: Jimmy Sexton, Ha Quinn of Transvaal. (Velox photo)
photograph
Ward 10. 130. Baragwanath Military Hospital, 1946, (Father Rolls at tea trolly, right. Simpson, tea trolly, left.)
photograph
Capt. French, 130 B.M.H. 1946.
photograph
Joe Williams, Baragwanath, Tvl. 1946
photograph
Selena Oettl�, Johannesburg, 1946
photograph
Vera Posner, Baragwanath, 1946.
photograph
Xmas 1946. L to R. Tania Boyal, Major Maurice Harper, Padre Moore (looking up), Joan Barnett, Matron Barbara de Salis, 'Stinker' Whittington, Major Angus ..., Margaret Mortell, Paddy Harper, Eric Hogshaw, Spot (on lap), Erskine - Lindop, Elra Davies.
photograph


1947 Photos

The Royal Visit
Putting out the Red Carpet, Baragwanath Hospital, Johannesburg, Royal visit, 5.4.1947. (Velox print)
photograph
The Royal party arrive. (Velox print 3 207)
photograph
Princess Margaret Rose at Baragwanath, 5.4.1947 (print 81 317)
photograph
Princess Elizabeth at Baragwanath, 5.4.1947 (print 81 317)
photograph
The Queen and Colonel [Sioth], Baragwanath, 5.4.1947. [print 81 317]
photograph
The King presenting a medal to Matron Hose. (L to R. Major Protheroe, Matron Hose, The King, Muller, The Queen, Equirie) Baragwanath Military Hospital, Johannesburg, 5.4.1947 (71KB)
photograph
General view showing seated people and some of the huts, Baragwanath, Royal visit April 1947.
photograph
The King walking through troops, (print 81 318)
photograph
With his camera, Baragwanath, 5.4.1947. (print 81 318)
photograph
Josephine Clayton, Baragwanath, April 1947. [Lady holding box camera] (Velox print 4 176)
photograph
Un-named lady wearing spotted dress and hat
photograph
Eric Hogshaw and self [Hughie Arnott], Prain, April 1947 (print 81 318)
photograph


Loads more to be added - when I have time:



Last Note:
In the back of this album is a photograph from Wildings of Newport in an envelope addressed to H.E.W. Arnott, M.A. Oxon., Aylesmore Court, St. Briavels, Glos [Gloucestershire, UK] dated 6.3.1963. This I believe is Hughie Arnott and the owner of this album. The family it seems is no more and everything was sold up - including these photographs.

To complete the story here are some recent news cuttings:

Frugal eccentric leaves Eton �2m

An eccentric woman who led a frugal life at her run-down estate in the Forest of Dean has left her entire �2m fortune to Eton College, one of Britain's richest schools. Ursula Arnott, who died recently aged 86, was a familiar sight in St Briavels, Gloucestershire, as she tended her cows and ran a local milk round. The 86 year old was the last surviving member of her family.


Following her death, the childless spinster�s seven-bedroom manor house was found to be full of valuable antiques. Arnott was the last surviving member of her family.
Locals said the house had become neglected in recent years and was afflicted by damp. They expressed surprise Arnott had not sold the house nor her possessions to fund a more comfortable retirement.
Instead, she chose to leave her estate, Aylesmore Court, to Eton, where Prince William and Prince Harry went to school. The estate will make little difference to the school�s wealth despite problems caused by recent falls in the stock market. Its assets were estimated at £162m in 2002.

Arnott's family had strong links to the school. Her father and brother Hughie were both educated there. Her collection of silverware, clocks, paintings, rare books and jewellery fetched �300,000 at auction last week. Among the valuable items was a 1620 edition of Milton�s Paradise Lost. The house, along with four cottages, is expected to sell for �1.5m.








© 2012 Roger Vaughan Personal Collection



email website owner


Return to homepage