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The Bromley family mystery *PHOTO ALBUM*
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DescriptionA mystery that Russell Bromley and I would love to solve! These 2 photos were clearly taken on the same day. They are of the sons of James Edward Bromley and his wife Mary Eliza (née Boult). At this time (around 1914) they had 6 living sons: William Edgar, James Henry, Charles Edward, George Hill, Alexander (Sinclair), James Harden, and my grandfather John Henry (middle back row). Here is the mystery: the man at the top right is different in each photo! The rest are the same! Why? Who is the 7th man?! Why weren’t all 7 photographed together? I’m so very curious!
Remaining pics courtesy Russell Bromley
3. James Harden
4.
Jack "John Henry " Bromley
5.
Alex Bromley
6.
William Bromley
7.
George Hill nee Bromley
8.
Charles BromleyDate of Photo1914Map[1] ContributorMelanie Bromley
Remaining pics courtesy Russell Bromley
3. James Harden
4.
Jack "John Henry " Bromley
5.
Alex Bromley
6.
William Bromley
7.
George Hill nee Bromley
8.
Charles BromleyDate of Photo1914Map[1] ContributorMelanie Bromley
Shown in this image
Location (city or town)GreymouthPersonWilliam Edgar BromleyJames Harden BromleyJames Henry Bromley Charles Edward BromleyGeorge Hill BromleyAlexander (Sinclair) BromleyJohn Henry BromleyEventThe Bromley family mystery SoldierAnzac
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Category TagAnzac
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Date CreatedBetween 24th June 2022 and 23rd June 2022CommentsCynthia McCaughan
In the second photo the soldier with hat and moustache may be the same person, however to me it looks like his image probably taken at a later date was added to the original photograph. (Yes photos were retouched and others added before Photoshop). I would actually say the photos are identical other than the changed soldier.
I am a little confused about the "seventh man" I can only count six in the image??
Cedric Trounson
Cynthia McCaughan the term 'cut and paste' wasnt coined then, but the skill was alive and well
Cynthia McCaughan
Cedric Trounson actually cut and paste was used much earlier than Photoshop it comes from photo retouching and the print (photolithography) industry.
Melanie Bromley
Cynthia McCaughan thanks - that is a great theory! By 7th man I meant 5 are the same and 2 are different - making a total of 7 - but only 6 appear in each photo! Your cut/paste theory could work - Alex (who will be top right in one of the photos I think) was killed at Gallipoli in 1915.
Melanie Bromley
Melanie Bromley
Cynthia McCaughan Maybe, after Alex died, they spliced in a photo of him in full military uniform and regalia, over top of the photo of him taken before he went to war. It makes sense as he does stand out as looking slightly sharper.
Cynthia McCaughan
Melanie Bromley I would say this is likely, especially if he was promoted and had died
John Armstrong
The chap bottom lefts hairline is equal with the chap behinds pocket flap in the second photo it is higher up???
Melanie Bromley
John Armstrong good question. I think it might be that the top photo is slightly stretched - all the faces appear more rounded than in the bottom photo due to the stretching. I hope to get a better copy of the top photo (which is the “original”) that doesn’t have the flash hitting the glass at some point now I’ve spotted the discrepancy with the copy I have!
Melanie Bromley
I need to update the info - James Henry Bromley was a 7th son but he died by drowning at age 11 so I should not have listed his name in the list of 6 surviving brothers above (sorry)! Laura Mills Detlaff can you pls remove “James Henry” from the list o… See more
Melanie Bromley
This is Alex Bromley. He does look right for the top right hand man in the first photo. And potentially could be the moustached man in the second - which would have to have been taken only around a year or less later.
May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'TROOPER ALEX. BROMLEY. Wellington Mounted Rifles, Killed in action.'
Andrew Barclay
I think both photos might be composites. Having a brief look at each of the brothers' online cenotaph records (I think I have the right people) it is unlikely they were all in the same place, in uniform, at the same time. Potentially Charles and Alexander might have been, but none of the men appear to be the 'same' in terms of lighting, focus etc. Charles joined in Aug 1914 but returned to NZ in June 1915 and was discharged in Jan 1917. Alexander enlisted in Aug 1914 and as pointed out died at Gallipoli. William joined Oct 1914 and went overseas and didn't return until April 1919. John joined Nov 1916 , left NZ Feb 1917 and returned April 1919. James (Harden) joined Nov 1917, and returned to NZ Mar 1919.
Melanie Bromley
Andrew Barclay Yes I’ve been puzzled by the timing and concluded it had to have been in 1914 just before Charles and Alex left. I hadn’t considered both might be composites. I’ve seen the “original” framed photo once long ago and it did look like they were all together in a studio. But 1914 would make my grandfather (top middle) just 15 years old and presumably he must be in a cadet uniform if they are indeed all together before Alex and Charles head away.
Andrew Barclay
Melanie Bromley that is a very good point on your Grandfather potentially being in cadet uniform (possible James Harden too?), I don't know enough about uniforms to know if that is the case - but it definitely seems plausible!
Melanie Bromley
Andrew Barclay it was the only way I could explain all 6 being together in uniforms - and I assumed the reason for the photo was the imminent departure of Alex and Charles. I will try to find out about uniforms to see if my theory works!
Melanie Bromley
I’ve found this on NZ History: “The Defence Act 1909 made military training compulsory for nearly all boys from the year they turned 12. This involved 52 hours of training each year as junior cadets. Cadets often drilled twice a week on school grounds wearing uniforms and carrying dummy rifles or broomsticks.” So I think I’m onto it - the younger boys are in cadet uniforms. The mystery of the change in appearance of Alex remains … is it him in both versions or is the moustached man in the second photo someone else?
Reply14m
Allan Steel
This is Alexander's photo at the Tapanui Memorial Hall, as the family came from Tapanui. Same photo of him in top photo. I don't think he is the man in second photo at back right.
May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'BROM'
Melanie Bromley
Allan Steel Thanks Allan - I hadn’t seen this photo of Alex! Yes the family were from Tapanui. If it isn’t him in the second photo I wonder who it is? Such a mystery!
Allan Steel
Melanie Bromley Top photo - names should be Back L to R - William, Vet Corp, John, NZRB, Alexander. Front L to R - Charles - Otago Mounted Rifles, George, never served, James 38th reinforcements. New man in 2nd photo not known.
Clare Pierson
Whether or not the photos are composite, the man at the back right of each photo look the same to me, especially his ears!!!
Faye Cillekens
I think it's the same man.
Russell Bromley
Both of the photos can be confirmed as composites, Based upon, two brother at rear LH and front lower RH have larger heads than the other 3 . Close up of George Hill shows cut marks from image being trimmed (his RH ear,) Jack "John Henry" Shadow on his right hand shoulder edge shows from trimming, Charles Bromley is disproportionately smaller . Alex Bromley in Melanies copy , Shadow rubbed out on his left hand shoulder and his right arm does not over lap with Jacks lower left arm. In the copy I have his RH ear shows trim marks too, Both very well done, early photoshop
In the second photo the soldier with hat and moustache may be the same person, however to me it looks like his image probably taken at a later date was added to the original photograph. (Yes photos were retouched and others added before Photoshop). I would actually say the photos are identical other than the changed soldier.
I am a little confused about the "seventh man" I can only count six in the image??
Cedric Trounson
Cynthia McCaughan the term 'cut and paste' wasnt coined then, but the skill was alive and well
Cynthia McCaughan
Cedric Trounson actually cut and paste was used much earlier than Photoshop it comes from photo retouching and the print (photolithography) industry.
Melanie Bromley
Cynthia McCaughan thanks - that is a great theory! By 7th man I meant 5 are the same and 2 are different - making a total of 7 - but only 6 appear in each photo! Your cut/paste theory could work - Alex (who will be top right in one of the photos I think) was killed at Gallipoli in 1915.
Melanie Bromley
Melanie Bromley
Cynthia McCaughan Maybe, after Alex died, they spliced in a photo of him in full military uniform and regalia, over top of the photo of him taken before he went to war. It makes sense as he does stand out as looking slightly sharper.
Cynthia McCaughan
Melanie Bromley I would say this is likely, especially if he was promoted and had died
John Armstrong
The chap bottom lefts hairline is equal with the chap behinds pocket flap in the second photo it is higher up???
Melanie Bromley
John Armstrong good question. I think it might be that the top photo is slightly stretched - all the faces appear more rounded than in the bottom photo due to the stretching. I hope to get a better copy of the top photo (which is the “original”) that doesn’t have the flash hitting the glass at some point now I’ve spotted the discrepancy with the copy I have!
Melanie Bromley
I need to update the info - James Henry Bromley was a 7th son but he died by drowning at age 11 so I should not have listed his name in the list of 6 surviving brothers above (sorry)! Laura Mills Detlaff can you pls remove “James Henry” from the list o… See more
Melanie Bromley
This is Alex Bromley. He does look right for the top right hand man in the first photo. And potentially could be the moustached man in the second - which would have to have been taken only around a year or less later.
May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'TROOPER ALEX. BROMLEY. Wellington Mounted Rifles, Killed in action.'
Andrew Barclay
I think both photos might be composites. Having a brief look at each of the brothers' online cenotaph records (I think I have the right people) it is unlikely they were all in the same place, in uniform, at the same time. Potentially Charles and Alexander might have been, but none of the men appear to be the 'same' in terms of lighting, focus etc. Charles joined in Aug 1914 but returned to NZ in June 1915 and was discharged in Jan 1917. Alexander enlisted in Aug 1914 and as pointed out died at Gallipoli. William joined Oct 1914 and went overseas and didn't return until April 1919. John joined Nov 1916 , left NZ Feb 1917 and returned April 1919. James (Harden) joined Nov 1917, and returned to NZ Mar 1919.
Melanie Bromley
Andrew Barclay Yes I’ve been puzzled by the timing and concluded it had to have been in 1914 just before Charles and Alex left. I hadn’t considered both might be composites. I’ve seen the “original” framed photo once long ago and it did look like they were all together in a studio. But 1914 would make my grandfather (top middle) just 15 years old and presumably he must be in a cadet uniform if they are indeed all together before Alex and Charles head away.
Andrew Barclay
Melanie Bromley that is a very good point on your Grandfather potentially being in cadet uniform (possible James Harden too?), I don't know enough about uniforms to know if that is the case - but it definitely seems plausible!
Melanie Bromley
Andrew Barclay it was the only way I could explain all 6 being together in uniforms - and I assumed the reason for the photo was the imminent departure of Alex and Charles. I will try to find out about uniforms to see if my theory works!
Melanie Bromley
I’ve found this on NZ History: “The Defence Act 1909 made military training compulsory for nearly all boys from the year they turned 12. This involved 52 hours of training each year as junior cadets. Cadets often drilled twice a week on school grounds wearing uniforms and carrying dummy rifles or broomsticks.” So I think I’m onto it - the younger boys are in cadet uniforms. The mystery of the change in appearance of Alex remains … is it him in both versions or is the moustached man in the second photo someone else?
Reply14m
Allan Steel
This is Alexander's photo at the Tapanui Memorial Hall, as the family came from Tapanui. Same photo of him in top photo. I don't think he is the man in second photo at back right.
May be an image of 1 person and text that says 'BROM'
Melanie Bromley
Allan Steel Thanks Allan - I hadn’t seen this photo of Alex! Yes the family were from Tapanui. If it isn’t him in the second photo I wonder who it is? Such a mystery!
Allan Steel
Melanie Bromley Top photo - names should be Back L to R - William, Vet Corp, John, NZRB, Alexander. Front L to R - Charles - Otago Mounted Rifles, George, never served, James 38th reinforcements. New man in 2nd photo not known.
Clare Pierson
Whether or not the photos are composite, the man at the back right of each photo look the same to me, especially his ears!!!
Faye Cillekens
I think it's the same man.
Russell Bromley
Both of the photos can be confirmed as composites, Based upon, two brother at rear LH and front lower RH have larger heads than the other 3 . Close up of George Hill shows cut marks from image being trimmed (his RH ear,) Jack "John Henry" Shadow on his right hand shoulder edge shows from trimming, Charles Bromley is disproportionately smaller . Alex Bromley in Melanies copy , Shadow rubbed out on his left hand shoulder and his right arm does not over lap with Jacks lower left arm. In the copy I have his RH ear shows trim marks too, Both very well done, early photoshop
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West Coast New Zealand History (27th Jun 2022). The Bromley family mystery *PHOTO ALBUM*. In Website West Coast New Zealand History. Retrieved 4th Apr 2026 07:02, from https://westcoast.recollect.co.nz/nodes/view/31237