This week's pictures from the past

Go on, we've got you stumped with this one, haven't we? It is "The Early Birds Dramatic Company, Wellington." But who were they? When was the picture taken? Indeed ­ where was it taken?

Telford historian and author Allan Frost emailed us the photo, saying he was throwing down the gauntlet to our readers.

"It's thought to have been taken around 1910 or even during the Great War, and bears the stamp of 'Star Photographic Studio' on the back. Any idea if this is 'our' Wellington and, if so, who are the young men, where did they perform, when and what productions did they appear in? I haven't been able to discover anything at all!"

So, Shropshire Star readers ­ it's over to you.

Thousands of Great War soldiers trained in Shropshire and, like any soldiers anywhere, wanted to send a message home, which in those days they did through letters and postcards. This postcard is of "Views of Prees Heath Camp" and may well have been on sale at the camp's post office. The franking date is difficult to read but is Nov 27, possibly 1915.

Picture: Ray Farlow

These are the boys, and those like them, whom we remembered this week at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month.

This is 'H' company, 1st Battalion, The King's Shropshire Light Infantry, at Hatherton, Lichfield, in 1909. How many of these were to survive the conflict which broke out five years later?

The photo came from Mrs Kath Rhodes of Oakengates. Her father Joe Price, who was a Sergeant Major during World War One, is on the photo, but she does not know which one he is. He lived at Old Park.

This photo was emailed to us by Mr J. Patrick Wood of Church Stretton who tells us: "I was going through my mother's archives recently and came cross the attached photograph of ladies from Craven Arms that I thought you readers may be interested in.

"It was taken at the annual NSPCC cocktail party in 1965. I believe it was at the Craven Arms Hotel. I think I can recall some of the faces ­ seated, from the left, are: first, Jean Wood (my mother), third Janet Somerfield, fourth Mrs Smith.

"Standing from the left: first Mrs Majorie Salmon, 10th Mrs Kydd, 12th Mrs Sysam. Your readers may be able to name the rest."

Meet little Ted, courtesy of our regular contributor, Paul France of Coalbrookdale.

"This is the Robin Hood pub which is on the Ironbridge side of the Free Bridge at Jackfield," says Paul.

"The man is Edwin (Ted) Owen who was licensee for many years. He was a man of small stature, hence the sign over the door which read, 'Now that Robin Hood is dead, come and drink with little Ted'. I'm not sure of the date. 1920s? 1930s? The pub back then could certainly have done with some TLC."

One hundred years ago, on October 23, 1909, the Captain Webb Memorial was unveiled in Dawley, amid pouring rain. The memorial has moved a few times over the years, and this picture emailed in by Mike Jordan, of Radbrook, Shrewsbury, shows one of those moves.

Mike tells us: "Following the replacement of the Captain Webb Memorial outside the Lord Hill recently, I was reminded of the time when I worked as an engineer for Dawley UDC and in 1968/69 was involved in the construction of the new council offices on Paddock Mound. The council had decided to move the memorial from its then position outside the library at the top of the Dun Cow Bank and re-erect it in front of the new offices.

"The picture shows fellow engineer George Chetwood (son of the council chairman, also George Chetwood) on the ladder inspecting the connection for the lamp to be placed on top of the memorial. I can't remember the name of the other person in the picture but he owned the garage at Blews Hill."

Imagine what it must have been like riding on this bus. Actually, some of our readers will remember what it was like, and this will bring back those memories, whether they be good, or bad.

This photo was emailed in to us by Shrewsbury transport historian Roy Pilsbury, who says: "The driver is Bill Smith, but the conductor is unknown. The location is Harlescott crossroads in 1949. Bill Smith was a long term committee member of Harlescott Football Club.

"The photo is from the Russell Mulford collection."