This image has been on the Virtual Tour for many years, simply identified as an unknown group:
Today, thanks to Simon Campbell, grandson of the young girl Eunice Field (far right above) we now know much more about them. This is Simon's description:
- Seated Man = Walter Henry Field - Manager at Marple Dale Farm Training Colony (born 1868)
- Seated Woman = Sarah Ellen Field (nee Henshall) - his wife (born 1867)
- Young man / teenager = Bernard Field (their son) (born 1903)
- Young girl = Eunice Field (their daughter) (born 1909)
- The two other young women in the flamboyant attire, may be other daughters (Florence May Field (born 1893) and Jessie Field (born 1896)).
- The other older woman may be a relative (sister ?) of Walter or Sarah. My guess is that she is Sarah's sister (a) because she had several and (b) her family came from Wilmslow, (c) I am not sure if Walter had any sisters (though this is ignorance rather than certainty).
We also now have this much better quality photo taken at the same time, plus two of Walter and Sarah. One of these was taken at the same time and the other looks like they are quite a lot younger (it could be their wedding possibly). We're still not sure why they are in fancy dress like this in circa 1919 (based on the estimated age of Eunice).
Walter Henry Field was the first Manager of the Marple Farm Colony from around 1908 and I think this is him and his family at the Farm Colony in the very early days, although even on the larger scan I have, it's not possible to be certain:
