Mystery Photograph

[Daft Bat]

The photograph below has been discovered amongst some articles belonging to a friend of mine.

But is anyone able to read what is written underneath? No clues available...

 

[Libby]

Killed at the battle of Mentana 1867 aged 17. This was a battle between French-Papal troops and Italians. Could the words in the line above be Pontifical Zouave?

 

[Chimp]

Are the last 2 lines:-

Killed at the battle of Mentana
1867 aged 17 -

The Battle of Mentana was fought on November 3, 1867, near the village of Mentana, located north-east of Rome (then in the Papal States, now modern Lazio), between French-Papal troops and the Italian volunteers led by Giuseppe Garibaldi. Garibaldi and his troops were attempting to capture Rome, then the main centre of the peninsula still outside of the newly unified Kingdom of Italy. The battle ended in a victory by the French-Papal troops.

Snap @Libby

 

[Libby]

I think he is Julian (Guilio) Watts Russell. Several hits on google.

 

[Chimp]

Certainly dressed in the correct uniform for the battle.

 

[Chimp]

Cardiff Times - 23 November 1867

 

[Chimp]

See here for a memorial erected to him.

https://www.vecarchives.org/blog/2020/julian-watts-russell-and-the-english-zouaves

 

[Daft Bat]

Wow!

Thank you all so much!

I am sure that my friend will be delighted when I tell him all this.... the next mystery is why he had this photograph... If I find out, I will come back and let you all know...

 

[kernowmaid]

www.vecarchives.org/blog/2020/julian-watts-russell-and-the-english-zouaves

Even has a photo, believed to be of his brother Wilfrid - who looks very like the man in your photo.

Jane

Hope this link fits into the rules - Please modify. (Sorry, moderators)

 

[Archie's Mum]

 

[AnnB]

There's also lots of information about him at -

https://williamgray101.wordpress.com/tag/julian-watts-russell/

 

[MollyMay]

In case it helps your friend with other names
On 22/11/1862 Julian married Martha Leech (d/o the late John Leech of Wexford) by special licence - lots of newspaper reports.
Julian's abode Ilam Hall Staffordshire

 

[Daft Bat]

I will be seeing my friend later this morning and will see if I can get any more information.

 

[Daft Bat]

Well, when I gave him the information that you have all discovered, my friend was very pleased, his reaction being, "I think that I am distantly related in some way..." But could give no further details.

Thank you all.

 

[AnnB]

his reaction being, "I think that I am distantly related in some way..." But could give no further details.

Thank you all.

That statement is like a red rag to a bull …….

 

[Daft Bat]

That statement is like a red rag to a bull …….

Without posting details of living people, the key ones would be....

Sir Robert Edmund Alford and his wives Teresa Riddell and her sister Eileen...

 

[Libby]

I may have missed it but I don’t think I have seen any copies of that photo on the internet so he may have a rare copy of that image; possibly of interest to historians.

 

[Daft Bat]

I also add that he has thoroughly researched his family's tree and can, through his mother's line, take it back to Edward II - and beyond! However, it is mainly the direct line that he has followed and so this chap could be an offshoot of an offshoot....

(Oh yes...his 2 x great grandfather was Augustus Pugin...)

 

[Eve]

Now look.....I came on here to look for/post something, have spent 20 to 30 minutes learning about the "Italian Wars" something I'd never heard of and now have no idea why I came here in the first place !

 

[Half Hour]

Now look.....I came on here to look for/post something, have spent 20 to 30 minutes learning about the "Italian Wars" something I'd never heard of and now have no idea why I came here in the first place !

That about sums up my research lately!!