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Mess Collection

Background imageMess Collection: Britains New Navy in Training - HMS Raleigh

Britains New Navy in Training - HMS Raleigh. circa 1930s

Background imageMess Collection: Peace, Perfect Peace by Heath Robinson

Peace, Perfect Peace by Heath Robinson. Being the Morning after the Night Before

Background imageMess Collection: No Coupons by David Wright

No Coupons by David Wright
A lady, half naked and wearing stockings, placing a hat on her head. Wright produced a series of over 160 illustrations or pin-ups for The Sketch during the 1940 s

Background imageMess Collection: The Faithful Heart by George Studdy

The Faithful Heart by George Studdy
A little dog with mournful eyes, obviously alarmed at his owners sea bathing antics, paddles as far as he can into the water holding her dress

Background imageMess Collection: Bomb damaged building, West India Docks, WW2

Bomb damaged building, West India Docks, WW2
A warehouse building with its top floor and roof damaged by an incendiary bomb, North Quay, West India Docks, East London, during the Second World War. Date: 1940s

Background imageMess Collection: Miniature silhouette - Captain Alfred Arnold Ernest Gyde

Miniature silhouette - Captain Alfred Arnold Ernest Gyde
Miniature bust-length silhouette in ebonised frame of Captain Alfred Arnold Ernest Gyde, 2nd Battalion South Staffordshire Regiment. He is in Mess Dress uniform

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Turnmill Street, Clerkenwell, WW2

Blitz in London -- Turnmill Street, Clerkenwell, WW2
Blitz in London -- Turnmill Street, Clerkenwell. General view showing the fire damage caused by incendiary bombs on 21 February 1944, including the top floor of the Steam Pipe Company. Date: 1944

Background imageMess Collection: The Day After Christmas by Mark Symons

The Day After Christmas by Mark Symons
Cosy front room festooned with decorations and filled with Christmas toys. Date: 1931

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- pulling debris clear, WW2

Blitz in London -- pulling debris clear, WW2
Blitz in London -- firefighters pulling debris clear following an air raid. Date: 1940s

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Saffron Hill, WW2

Blitz in London -- Saffron Hill, WW2
Blitz in London -- men at work in Saffron Hill, City of London, 26 October 1940. Date: 1940

Background imageMess Collection: A new dog-fancy: the Basset Hounds by Louis Wain

A new dog-fancy: the Basset Hounds by Louis Wain
Engraving by Louis Wain showing four naughty basset hounds teasing two scared black and white cats. A fifth basset hound enters the room looking coy but unrepentant with a whip in its mouth

Background imageMess Collection: ANGRY GOLFER 1897

ANGRY GOLFER 1897
Having made an awful mess of his shot, a golfer vents his anger, much to the amusement of his caddy. Date: 1897

Background imageMess Collection: A Perfect Picture by Muriel Dawson

A Perfect Picture by Muriel Dawson
A small toddler looks in dismay at a large blotch of paint on the front of his outfit

Background imageMess Collection: Rabbits, I believe by George Studdy

Rabbits, I believe by George Studdy
Bonzo and brother cannot think what a nice round hole if for unless it be a rabbits doorway

Background imageMess Collection: Cheesed Off by David Wright

Cheesed Off by David Wright
An illustration of a lady dressed in a negligee, flicking through magazines on her bed. Wright produced a series of over 160 illustrations or pin-ups for The Sketch during the 1940 s

Background imageMess Collection: Stiebel / Wrns Mess Wear

Stiebel / Wrns Mess Wear
A design by Victor Stiebel for WRNS (Womens Royal Naval Service) officers mess undress, comprising of a long skirt, blouse with revered collar and bolero jacket

Background imageMess Collection: The Bull in the China Shop

The Bull in the China Shop Date: 1891

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Redriff Estate, Rotherhithe, WW2

Blitz in London -- Redriff Estate, Rotherhithe, WW2
Blitz in London -- scene of destruction on the Redriff Estate, Rotherhithe, SE London, during the Second World War. Date: 1940s

Background imageMess Collection: Court-Martial of Lt. Perry of H. Majesty?s 46th Regiment

Court-Martial of Lt. Perry of H. Majesty?s 46th Regiment
The Court-Martial of Lieut. Perry of H

Background imageMess Collection: Mancunian Way Flyover

Mancunian Way Flyover
The newly-built Manchunian Way flyover, Manchester, England, part of the M6 motorway network. Date: 1960s

Background imageMess Collection: Firemen at Chipping Norton Workhouse, Oxfordshire

Firemen at Chipping Norton Workhouse, Oxfordshire
Firemen stand in a burnt-out section of the Chipping Norton workhouse in Oxfordshire following a fire on 19 March 1911. Sewing machines and cotton reels amongst the debris indicate a sewing room

Background imageMess Collection: Midshipmens Mess

Midshipmens Mess
Midshipmen eat, read and study in their mess on the Royal Navy warship Caesar

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Little girl eating - I'm dining alone. Date: early 20th century

Comic postcard, Little girl eating - I'm dining alone. Date: early 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Little boy covered in ink - She loves me not

Comic postcard, Little boy covered in ink - She loves me not, so what's the use of being clean. Date: early 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: WW2 - American Red Cross Clubmobile - UK

WW2 - American Red Cross Clubmobile - UK
Sighted Sinkers - Sank Same! WW2 - American Red Cross Clubmobile (USAF) - Somewhere in Great Britain. American airforce personnel relaxing with coffee and doughnuts

Background imageMess Collection: Richard Sickert and wife in his litter-ary studio

Richard Sickert and wife in his litter-ary studio
Walter Richard Sickert and his wife seen in his studio at Broadstairs, the state of which brings new meaning to the word, untidy. Date: 1938

Background imageMess Collection: WW2 - Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) Firemen, including (top right

WW2 - Auxiliary Fire Service (AFS) Firemen, including (top right) George Arthur Roberts (1891-1970) - soldier (in WW1), Fireman, and Community Leader

Background imageMess Collection: Captain Newcome saying goodbye to old crew members

Captain Newcome saying goodbye to old crew members
Captain Johnny Newcome saying goodbye to old crew members and veterans at Greenwich Hospital. Midshipmen in uniforms, peg-legged veterans with walking sticks

Background imageMess Collection: Flood victims, Grosvenor Road area, Pimlico, London

Flood victims, Grosvenor Road area, Pimlico, London
Flood victim residents of the Grosvenor Road area, Pimlico, London, sorting out their ruined belongings

Background imageMess Collection: Soldiers in mess hall of army barracks, South Africa

Soldiers in mess hall of army barracks, South Africa. Date: circa 1900

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Father holds crying baby Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Father holds crying baby Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Returning faulty fountain pen

Comic postcard, Returning faulty fountain pen Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: 1935 Lagonda M45R (Rapide) T9, CGO 62

1935 Lagonda M45R (Rapide) T9, CGO 62, outside the Officer's Mess at HMS Sultan, near Gosport. This fabulous Lagonda Rapide, car No

Background imageMess Collection: White Star Line, Walker and Hall Engineers Mess soup tureen

White Star Line, Walker and Hall Engineers Mess soup tureen
White Star Lome. extremely rare oversize Walker and Hall Engineers Mess soup tureen, 16ins. x 11ins

Background imageMess Collection: How Do The Walls Look?

How Do The Walls Look?
A short story illustration which depicts a scene of three wartime sisters splashing paint around a room, making quite the mess. Date: circa 1940

Background imageMess Collection: Void

Void
This painting depicts a landscape terrorised by war, with broken trees filling the background, and a savage mess of guns, ammunition and a military vehicle making up the foreground

Background imageMess Collection: White Star Line, HMT Teutonic - mess card

White Star Line, HMT Teutonic - mess card
White Star Line, HMT Teutonic, used for military purposes during the Boer War and WW1. Mess card. 3.5 x 2.5 inches. Date: early 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Tommy Tinker the Cat paddled in spilt paint

Tommy Tinker the Cat paddled in spilt paint Date: 1925

Background imageMess Collection: Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Nationalist troops

Spanish Civil War (1936-1939). Nationalist troops in Navalcarnero (November 1936). Mess time

Background imageMess Collection: Flight of the French from Vitoria, Spain, 21 June 1813, resulting in a victory for

Flight of the French from Vitoria, Spain, 21 June 1813, resulting in a victory for the allied British, Portuguese and Spanish forces, in the Battle of Vitoria, part of the Peninsular War (1807-1814)

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Pigeons flying above racehorses Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Pigeons flying above racehorses Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Plump man drinking in pub Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Plump man drinking in pub Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Husband sitting on the floor, surrounded by debris

Comic postcard, Husband sitting on the floor, surrounded by debris, while his wife slams the door behind her Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: A small boy, having consumed most of a pot of strawberry jam with the help of a cane

A small boy, having consumed most of a pot of strawberry jam with the help of a cane and a cushion, has no regrets. Date: 1911

Background imageMess Collection: British army camp, Yokohama, Japan

British army camp, Yokohama, Japan
Vintage 19th century photograph: officers mess room, British army camp, Yokohama, Japan

Background imageMess Collection: Comic birthday postcard, Little girl writing greetings

Comic birthday postcard, Little girl writing greetings Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Comic postcard, Man at football match Date: 20th century

Comic postcard, Man at football match Date: 20th century

Background imageMess Collection: Captain Newcome is shaved roughly on the Equator in

Captain Newcome is shaved roughly on the Equator in
Captain Newcome is shaved roughly before being dunked in a tub of bilge water on the Equator. A sailor dressed as Neptune holds a trident and sits on a throne on a gun carriage

Background imageMess Collection: Regency gentleman falling over a gate while two women watch

Regency gentleman falling over a gate while two women watch. Handcoloured copperplate engraving by John Augustus Atkinson from Illustrations of the Miseries of Human Life, William Miller, London, 1807

Background imageMess Collection: RAF Halton Ten Tors expedition 1977 - Mess tent

RAF Halton Ten Tors expedition 1977 - Mess tent
RAF Halton Apprentices competing in the 1977 Ten Tors cross-country team march. - John Boucher et al having lunch in the mess tent. Date: 1977

Background imageMess Collection: Menu card, Princes Restaurant, Singapore

Menu card, Princes Restaurant, Singapore
Front cover, menu card, Princes Restaurant, Singapore, showing a chef and his young assistant in a ramshackle and untidy kitchen. (1 of 3) Date: circa 1930s

Background imageMess Collection: WW2 - American Red Cross Clubmobile - UK

WW2 - American Red Cross Clubmobile - UK
Don t Mind if I do! WW2 - American Red Cross Clubmobile (USAF) - Somewhere in Great Britain

Background imageMess Collection: A woman writes a letter on a somno in a messy

A woman writes a letter on a somno in a messy
A woman writes a letter on a somno (night table containing a chamberpot) with her feet on a pillow, while her dog chews a lace collar and a cat sleeps on her ballgown

Background imageMess Collection: Decorating My Dolls House by Muriel Dawson

Decorating My Dolls House by Muriel Dawson. 1941

Background imageMess Collection: Austrian trenches destroyed by Allied action, WW1

Austrian trenches destroyed by Allied action, WW1
Austrian trenches destroyed by Allied action (British heavy guns and Italian artillery) during the First World War. 1914-1918

Background imageMess Collection: Two kittens on an artists palette on a greetings postcard

Two kittens on an artists palette on a greetings postcard
Two kittens on an artists palette on a German greetings postcard -- Art in the life of the cat. Date: circa 1890s

Background imageMess Collection: Susi - playing with paints

Susi - playing with paints Date: 1950s

Background imageMess Collection: Cartoon - Cooking Made Easy

Cartoon - Cooking Made Easy (No.3), an ironic depiction. 19th century

Background imageMess Collection: Fire at Rum Quay, West India Docks, East London

Fire at Rum Quay, West India Docks, East London, 21 April 1933, with firefighters in action with hoses. Date: 1933

Background imageMess Collection: Street scene at Les Halles, Paris, France

Street scene at Les Halles, Paris, France. Date: 1960s

Background imageMess Collection: WW2 - Western Front - German Barracks interior

WW2 - Western Front - German Barracks interior - Soldiers listening to their radio. Date: 1941

Background imageMess Collection: TELEPHONE ENGINEERS

TELEPHONE ENGINEERS
Three G.P.O. engineers, happy in their work, think nothing of sorting out a mind-boggling mess of telephone wires and cables. Date: early 1930s

Background imageMess Collection: DALMATIAN / PUPPY EATING

DALMATIAN / PUPPY EATING
A puppy eating and making a terrible mess. Date: 1933

Background imageMess Collection: WW2 - Getting ready for the Troops - Somewhere in France

WW2 - Getting ready for the Troops - Somewhere in France. Date: circa 1939

Background imageMess Collection: Princess Margaret meeting Metropolitan Police officers

Princess Margaret meeting Metropolitan Police officers during a visit to the Commissioners Mess

Background imageMess Collection: Headwear for naval, military and tropical 1937

Headwear for naval, military and tropical 1937
A range of headwear for Royal Artillery Mess, Field service caps, Royal air force, cocked hats for all services, Regulation Naval cap, Regulation Wolseley helmet

Background imageMess Collection: Cartoon, German soldiers eating and drinking, WW1

Cartoon, German soldiers eating and drinking, WW1
Cartoon, Kultur and Grub. A stereotypical view of German soldiers eating sausages and drinking beer, showing the contrast between the German idea of culture and the soldiers greed. Date: 1915

Background imageMess Collection: HMS Sphinx, composite paddle vessel

HMS Sphinx, composite paddle vessel launched in 1882, seen here after damage from a cyclone. Date: circa 1890s

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- typical bomb site, WW2

Blitz in London -- typical bomb site, WW2
Blitz in London -- typical bomb site full of rubble following an air raid. Date: 1940s

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Vauxhall Bridge Road, WW2

Blitz in London -- Vauxhall Bridge Road, WW2
Blitz in London -- Vauxhall Bridge Road, 17 September 1940. with debris following an air raid, and men at work clearing up. Date: 1940

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- bombed out pub, WW2

Blitz in London -- bombed out pub, WW2
Blitz in London -- a bombed out pub, The White Hart in Windmill Street, near Tottenham Court Road, on 30 March 1941. View of the front of the building, with a sheet across the ground floor. Date: 1941

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Kennington Park Road, WW2

Blitz in London -- Kennington Park Road, WW2
Blitz in London -- junction of Kennington Park Road and Harleyford Road, damaged by a high explosive bomb on 22 March 1944. Date: 1944

Background imageMess Collection: Bomb damage in Jewin Street, City of London, WW2

Bomb damage in Jewin Street, City of London, WW2
Bomb damage in Jewin Street, City of London, Blitz, Second World War, 29 December 1940, looking from Red Cross Street. Date: 1940

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Duke Street, Strand, WW2

Blitz in London -- Duke Street, Strand, WW2
Blitz in London -- fire crews at work with hosepipes in Duke Street, off the Strand, 17 April 1941. Date: 1941

Background imageMess Collection: Scene inside London Underground tunnel after a crash

Scene inside London Underground tunnel after a crash
Scene inside a London Underground tunnel following an incident on 28 February 1975

Background imageMess Collection: Blitz in London -- Balham High Road, WW2

Blitz in London -- Balham High Road, WW2
Blitz in London -- a bus in a bomb crater over an underground station in Balham High Road, SW London, 14 October 1940. Date: 1940

Background imageMess Collection: Musical instrument maker Johann Reiter

Musical instrument maker Johann Reiter of Mittenwald, Germany, surrounded by his wonderful creations, from lutes and cellos to violas and violins

Background imageMess Collection: Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh in Malta, 1951

Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh in Malta, 1951
Princess Elizabeth (Queen Elizabeth II) attending a dance given at the Hotel Phoenicia in Malta by Wardroom Mess of Naval Headquarters, Lascaris

Background imageMess Collection: Washington DC, USA - Arlington Memorial Bridge

Washington DC, USA - Arlington Memorial Bridge, Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument - the worse piece of photographic re-touching I think I have ever seen - worthy of inclusion for this fact

Background imageMess Collection: Welsh Guards

Welsh Guards
One of 34 photographs associated with the Welsh Guards

Background imageMess Collection: A regimental dinner, 1920s

A regimental dinner, 1920s
Photograph: A regimental dinner, 1920s (c).British and Indian officers attend a regimental dinner with their wives

Background imageMess Collection: George Ernest Studdy, Bonzo with fountain pen and ink

George Ernest Studdy, Bonzo with fountain pen and ink
George Ernest Studdy, Bonzo with fountain pen and a bottle of ink, trying to write a letter but getting into a mess right from the start. Originally published as Valentine postcard no

Background imageMess Collection: Cartoon, German officer passing by, WW1

Cartoon, German officer passing by, WW1
Cartoon, a German officer passing by, causing destruction as he goes. A German soldier as seen by the French during the First World War. Date: 1915

Background imageMess Collection: Page in an ATS recruitment leaflet, WW2

Page in an ATS recruitment leaflet, WW2
Page in an ATS recruitment leaflet, showing women taking part in recreations -- in the NaFI, sport, and dances. Date: 1940s



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