Photographs (3) of Alfred and Frank Rudler of Lydiard Tregoze, 20th Century

Three photographs of father and son Alfred (1897-1962) and Frank Rudler (1923 1962) of Lydiard Tregoze. The earliest picture, c1924, shows Alfred or Alf as he was known, holding his one year old son Frank. It was probably taken outside their home at Spittleborough Cottages.

The Rudler family have been associated with Lydiard Tregoze since the 17th century. Alf, who was born at Spittleborough Cottages, was a farm labourer. He served as a Gunner in World War I and later worked as a crane driver in the GWR Factory in Swindon. His own father had been a local general labourer.

The second picture shows young Frank leaning over his father's shoulder while Alf is reading a newspaper. In the final picture Frank is very much a young man and stands proudly shoulder to shoulder with Alf, both men wearing suits. The backdrop to the photograph seems to be a pile of logs and the photograph was possibly taken in a local wood yard. Frank joined the RAF reconnaissance during World War II which he described as 'his first job'.