South Queensferry Post Office

© Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk owner of the original tattered
postcard and Frank Hay, Queensferry History Group, who restored the image to the condition above.

South Queensferry

Post Office

Photos

The photographs above show the building in the High Street that the South Queensferry Post Office moved to, from its original site further along the High Street

Then

Thank you to Frank Hay of the Queensferry History Group for restoring the first photograph above. This was produced as a postcard but was never sent through the post.

Thank you to Frank for also supplying the second photograph above.

Frank commented:

"The Post Office moved from its original location to the one above. I do not have dates for the occupancy of the two buildings by the Post Office, but we think the picture above was taken during the First World War as women workers were brought in to replace men sent to the front."

Frank Hay, South Queensferry, Edinburgh

Comment

John Gordon

Easdale, Oban, Argyle & Bute

Thank you to John Gordon, Easdale, Oban, Argyle & Bute, Scotland who wrote:

Great Aunt Emily

"My great aunt Emily A A Borrowman (married name Mill) was a sorting clerk and telegraphist at the Post Office in South Queensferry from 1914 to 1918, with a possible break in 1917.

When the Grand Fleet was in the Forth, this must have been a busy Post Office.

Emily kept a fascinating wartime album of photographs and postcards. She had no family and my mother inherited a lot of material including many photograph albums which, for the most part, are annotated. A few weeks ago I happened on your photograph of South Queensferry Post Office.

From photographs in her album I feel sure that:

- the girl in uniform on the left of your photo is L Chandler.
- third from left, also in uniform, may be my great aunt.

Acknowledgement: John Gordon, Easdale, Oban, Argyle & Bute: 25 Jan + 5 Feb 2013

Comment

John Gordon

Easdale, Oban, Argyle & Bute

Thank you to John Gordon for writing again.

John wrote:

My Photo with Forth Bridge Backdrop

"Here are images of one of the postcards (front and back) that I found in my Great Aunt Emily's old album.

My Great Aunt has written on her album: 'HMS Tyne Postmen' and a date. Although the date looks like 1914, I have a feeling that it might be 1916." The men's names, together with 'HMS Tyne' and a date are also written on the back of the postcard."

Other Photos with Forth Bridge Backdrop

"The postcard above is very similar to this, below, that was added to the EdinPhoto web site in 2010."

Acknowledgement: John Gordon, Easdale, Oban, Argyle & Bute: February 5, 2013

Comment

Alistair McEwan

Edinburgh

Thank you to Alistair McEwan for sending me the photo below.

Alistair wrote:

Photo

Around 1914

Restored

© Copyright: For permission to reproduce, please contact peter.stubbs@edinphoto.org.uk owner of the original tattered
postcard and Alistair McEwan who carried out the restoration of it.

Alistair wrote:

Emily Borrowman's Pictures

"The Edinburgh’s War web site has been given an extensive archive by John Gordon, including an autograph book that Emily kept with 70 images, drawn mainly by sailors during WW1.

I noticed that the 'Then' photo at the top of this page shows Emily with only one leg - no doubt Photoshop went wrong. I've now given her a right leg as you will see in the corrected photo above."

Alistair McEwan, Edinburgh: December 26, 2013

Comment

Frank Hay

Queensferry, Edinburgh

Thank you to Frank Ferry who wrote:

Emily Borrowman's Pictures

"I just noticed Alistair McEwen's comment (3 above) and am writing to say that I don't think I 'Photoshopped' the lady's legs. That part of the postcard was not damaged. Could you have a look, Peter, at the original and see if that is the case?

If it is, that raises the intriguing question: "Where is the lady's left leg?" (or right leg as Alistair describes it).

Looking carefully at the postcard, there is a hint of a left leg: either turned far to the left or, perhaps, she moved her leg - you might be able to see more detail in your original.

This raises another question. What would a typical exposure time be for a 1914'ish photo taken on what appears to be a rather dull winter's day?

Frank Hay, Queensferry, Edinburgh: May 12, 2014

Comment

Peter Stubbs

Edinburgh

Ladies outside the Post Office

"HI Frank:

Thanks for your comments. I've found the original (unrestored) postcard of the ladies at South Queensferry Post Office.
Here it is:

Photo

Around 1914

Before restoration

I've also enlarged the ladies in the photo (see 'Photo 4' below)

I agree with your comments, Frank. I do see both of Emily's legs. She's the 3rd lady from left in the photo. Her left leg appears to be turned out, and a little indistinct probably due to it moving while the photo was being taken.

The exposure time required for the photo would depend on what aperture the camera was set to and the speed of the film.

It could well have been around 1/10 second - e.g. 1/10 sec at f8 on 40ASA film. That would probably blur a moving leg."

Photo

Around 1914

Before restoration

Zoom-in to the ladies

Peter Stubbs, Edinburgh: May 12, 2014