HEBBORN FAMILY HISTORY & NEWS - November 2002.

EVERY PICTURE TELLS A STORY

I started researching my family tree about two years ago, after finding my great grandfather's military records in a book entitled "The National Roll of the Great War 1914-1918". Intrigued to know more I set out to find his grave. The local council were very helpful and gave me a map of the local cemetery he was buried in, along with his grave location reference.

His tombstone gave me his approximate date of birth, worked out from his age of when he died.  In the book previously mentioned it listed his military honours so I was inspired to track down his personal military records. New to all this, I enlisted the help of a professional researcher - Robin F Delderfield - whom I contacted through the Internet.  For a small fee (approximately £30.00) he found the army records of one Henry John Hebburn, from the time he enlisted to when he was demobbed in 1909. This included the details of his service in the First World War for which he had re-enlisted. I was also given a copy of his 1948 Death Certificate.

I asked around the family to see if anyone had a photograph of him in his uniform, and eventually one turned up from my father that could possibly be him. But how could I be sure the handsome devil in the photo was my great grandfather, Henry Hebburn?

From his army records I knew that he had served in the West Yorkshire Regiment - The photograph showed his cap badge was correct - A horse above a scroll.  Next, I also knew that he was promoted to Lance Corporal in 1900 - And there it was in the picture, one stripe on his right arm. On his left lower arm there were two stripes - approximately one per every four years of service. I also knew that he married in 1901 but the photograph showed no wedding ring (although he was wearing three others on different fingers). From my great grandparents marriage I knew that they were living in Surbiton, Surrey at the time, and lo! and behold, at the bottom of the photograph was the photographer's name with the word Surbiton underneath.

Therefore, with all the clues, I have deduced that the picture must be that of my great grandfather and would have been taken in 1900.

So the next time you are looking at you old photographs, take a closer look as all the clues are there waiting for you to find. Have your genealogy ready, get out the magnifying glass, take a deep breath and keep your fingers crossed as every picture REALLY does tell a story.

ALAN HEBBURN.

The photograph referred to in this article can be viewed in ‘GALLERY’