I have recently been given a set of four pictures taken on the occasion of the official opening of Princes Esplanade and the naming of the E.M.E.D lifeboat on 30th July 1930.

Two of them are already in the Archive but two new ones have emerged from their long-time  hiding place  behind a cupboard in Walton Parish Church.

This wonderful picture showing a ragtag-and-bobtail collection of young lads who constituted the church choir has got me guessing. The names of all the lads is included with the picture but only in alphabetical order – thus I can only pinpoint two of them in the group.

Their names are: _ Barker, D. Carr, P. Clarke, W. Clarke, G. Close, A. Frost, C.Gardiner, F. Gardiner,
A. (Arthur, I believe) Garwood, D. Perring, M. Read, _ Sharman, R. Stacey, D. Wilson, R. Woods, and A. Wyatt

The two I can name are Alec Frost who is the short lad wearing a cap in the front row and Gordon Close who is the boy immediately behind Alec.

Another picture in the set shows the boys processing to church along the High Street. The organist and choirmaster leading the boys is none other than my old boss and founder of Putmans Photographers, Frank Putman.

If you know anyone who is able to name any of the lads, please let me know