A convalescent soldier (Lance-Corporal R.C. Thomas) poses in drag, wearing a silk dress and sitting with a mourning veil. Photographic postcard, 1916.

Date:
[1916?]
Reference:
2043337i
Part of:
The James Gardiner Collection.
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view A convalescent soldier (Lance-Corporal R.C. Thomas) poses in drag, wearing a silk dress and sitting with a mourning veil. Photographic postcard, 1916.

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Credit

A convalescent soldier (Lance-Corporal R.C. Thomas) poses in drag, wearing a silk dress and sitting with a mourning veil. Photographic postcard, 1916. Public Domain Mark. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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About this work

Description

The man sits in mourning attire in front of a plain background.

Publication/Creation

Eastbourne (High Street, Old Town) : Compton's, photographer, [1916?]

Physical description

1 photographic postcard ; 8.8 x 13.8 cm

Lettering

Summerdown Kate

Notes

The following description was provided by James Gardiner: "Shows a young man in elaborate Edwardian dowager’s dress and hat, the high style of 1905. Caption ‘Summerdown Kate’ refers to Summerdown Military Hospital, Eastbourne, and this is confirmed by message [on] verso which reads ‘Saw lady? on other side at wounded soldier’s camp. He does not seem ill to me….’."
The following information was provided by Lloyd Brunt, Joint Secretary, East Dean & Friston Local History Group: "The man known as Summerdown Kate was Lance-Corporal R. C. Thomas who was at the Summerdown Convalescent Camp and a member of the camp's entertainment group (the Knuts Kamp Komedy Kompany). He was well known for his female impersonation act."
This work is untitled: the title has been supplied by the cataloguer.

Reference

Wellcome Collection 2043337i

Where to find it

  • Military, naval, and prisoner-of-war camp drag

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