By September 1919, the Paris Peace Conference had been underway for much of the year. The Allied Powers were meeting to discuss peace terms for the Central Powers. The horrors and fighting of World War I, a war that had caused 40 million military and civilian deaths, had ended. The Treaty of Versailles, signed on June 28, 1919 ended the state of war between the Allies and Germany. The Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye, signed on September 10, 1919 dissolved the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Five brutal years of fighting was over. Four taxing years of political wrangling over peace terms was commencing. The outcome of the political wrangling would be the subject of debate for years to come. Some would argue much of those decisions led to the next Great War.
But, in September 1919 — there was peace across Europe.
George and Tilda didn’t smile for their portrait — Manchester, England — September 1919 (I purchased photo at an antique store in Jefferson, TX).
Across the English Channel, a 5 year old boy and his 9 month old sister entered a Van Ralty studio. Led by their mother, Alice Beevers, they took in the scene at the photo studio and waited to have their picture taken. Alice dressed little George Norman and Tilda Alice in their best clothing for the shoot. She fashioned their hair with precision, trying to ensure not one hair was out of place. They had to look their best. This was a big day for the Beevers family.
George was born on March 31, 1914 in Manchester, England. Only three months before Archduke Franz Ferdinand’s assassination, sparking World War I. For the entirety of George’s young life, Britain had been at war. Yet, today as he sat next to his sister upon the Victorian era chair, peace was the order of the day.
In the 21st century, we’re inundated by portraits, selfies, and all other kinds of photos all day long. There is no shortage of photos of any and everyone. But, in photography’s infancy it was a world unfamiliar to us. If someone was having their portrait taken it usually was because of an important event in their life. Typically only the wealthy owned cameras. Van Ralty Studios in the United Kingdom and others like them, provided a service that could have been expensive for the average consumer. In short, having your photo taken was something special, something rare, in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
By 1919, a popular type of photograph was picture postcards. Studios advertised on the back of the postcard photo and people would get a photo they could mail to family and friends. Although invented in the 1890’s it didn’t grow in popularity until the early 20th century.
This is the type of photo the Beevers took that September day in Manchester.
Back of the photo postcard taken by Van Ralty studios in Manchester. As you can see someone wrote “Aunt Jessie Beavers 2 Children” in pen. It appears this is a later addition to the photo. It provided a last name to go by when I started digging up history on George Norman Beevers. I’ve been unable to find much information on his sister Tilda.
One hundred years ago the photo session in Manchester concluded. The shot used by the Beevers to send to family and friends is the picture postcard you see above. Little George grew up in a peaceful Europe, but it wouldn’t be a lasting peace. When World War I broke out, George was safe at home in Manchester. But, when World War II broke out, George wouldn't find himself safe at home in Manchester. Instead, George would be serving the King in the British Armed Forces in a fight against Adolf Hitler and the Third Reich.
This may not be the last time we visit the story of George Norman Beevers.