Description
Object description
Two leatherette covered cardboard photograph albums relating to the National Service of Private Keith Ernest Heselden, an administration clerk with the Royal Army Pay Corps 1957 - 1959, and particularly during his service in Cyprus. Also included is a mounted print, a formal photograph of No 24 Platoon, B Company of 216 Intake at the Royal Army Pay Corps Training Centre, September 1957.
Album One is a brown leatherette covered cardboard album with dark brown card inserts held by a buff-coloured drawstring, prints affixed by corner tabs. The front cover is decorated with a hand painted map of Cyprus with various decoraitve features, including armourial banners and shields. This album covers Heselden's time service with the RAPC and includes: an informal group photograph of Heselden and his section in their hut during basic training at Devizes, Wiltshire in September 1957, copy print of image of a DC-4 of Air Charter London used for the trooping flight from Southend to Nicosia, Cyprus via Malta in 1957. In Cyprus, Heselden's experiences are illustrated by images of informal individual and group portraits of comrades from 'A' Company at Dhekelia Garrison (January 1958) and undertaking recreational activities such as at the beach in Dhekelia, after a five mile run as part of PT, playing football, including a semi-formal photograph of a cup winning football team outside Dhekelia Garrison HQ; and also as part of the Dhekelia Military Saddle Club with whom Heselden was a keen rider; scenes within 'A' Company's block at Dhekelia Garrison during Christmas Day 1958, national servicemen relaxing with a drink; various views of different buildings at the Dhekelia garrison; RAPC personnel seen with rifles and kit outside the garrison area and in the local towns, probably on anti-terrorist operations; driving instruction to counter roadblocks set up by EOKA and dealing with a blocked roadway possibly the work of local civilians in support of EOKA; view of anti-British graffiti on a building; images of Royal Navy and civilian vessels at a port, probably Famagusta; motor transport (Land Rover) outside Famagusta docks office. There are many futher scenes of local life photographed by Heselden and commerically bought postcards and prints depicting local places of interest.
Album two consists of a grey leatherette covered cardboard album with grey leaves held by a red drawstring, prints affixed by corner tabs. This album covers Heselden's recreational pastimes as a keen horseman and polo player with the Dhekelia Military Saddle Club, Cyprus. The photographs are portraits of the club's horses including Heselden riding 'Storm', his favourite horse (wearing the number 5 saddlebag), some portraits of club riders (army personnel, their wives and children) on horseback, and around the club; further portraits and 'in action' views of the local grooms and stable staff, showing the training and grooming of the horses; scenes at a gymkhana including a show-jumping competition and prize giving ceremony.