Thanks to the prompting of Owen's post on Lee Miller here: Lee Miller Photo Equipment used ?? I resolved to at least make a start on this thread about Constance Stuart today. I am indebted to Owen for his prompting. Cornish by birth, South African by upbringing, American by marriage, Constance Stuart is for me a largely forgotten war correspondent and photographer. Perhaps someday, especially should the Lee Miller movie be well received, a documentary at least will be made introducing Constance and her work to a wider audience. Note: Constance Stuart met the man who would become her husband during the war, but they did not marry until 1949, from whence Constance very much became Constance Stuart Larrabee. Much is out there, fortunately, on the world wide web nowadays, but for the main part I will draw on one publication, an exhibition catalogue from 1989; "CONSTANCE STUART LARRABEE WWII PHOTO JOURNAL". (copies of which can still be found from varied sellers, and in my mind the book is worth every penny) It is said a picture paints a thousand words, and here you will find as well as pictures some words of Constance Stuart too. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
Women in war. Damned if you do, damned if you don't. To the victors the spoils. St Tropez, but not a view of it as known today. Les Tondues. Le Chagrin et la Pitié. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
If you wish to read more on Constance Stuart and her photography both pre and post-war I recommend: Available from various sellers. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Cassino. Chaps, war correspondents who have come up within other threads on the forum before. Cyril Bewley and Roderick MacDonald. Mines; a curse. Their original burial site, prior to later relocation. A photograph taken by Constance Stuart. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
Hi Jim, a lot of work and very well done. I even learned a new English expression: "Upbringing" Could you also use the word educated? Stefan.
Italy, winter '44. Grim, a struggle seeming without end. Hard yards, day after day after day. Castiglione dei Pepoli. Grezzana. "D-Day Dodgers". It makes you bloody spit. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
And a thirties photo from Germany with Constance's later added and very apt comment. Always remember, never forget, Jim.
It caught my eye, amongst the grim subject matter, that the two girls in pictures 4, 5 and 6, appear to be wearing exactly the same dress, the sort of thing twins might do. So, as I can’t imagine the mob went to the trouble of dishing out “collaborator” outfits, I wonder if they were sisters.
Maybe Martin, maybe. When I first saw the photos years back I did wonder if the unfortunate choice ladies were from a bordel frequented by the German occupying soldiery, and that "stripes" in some way, shape, or form were part of an easily identified "work" uniform (BMC "workers" wore similar clothing as each other, not necessarily stripes, but design and colour). At least four have stripes (dresses, blouses, or skirts) as part of their attire. And said ladies would have made easy targets post liberation. I never pursued it too far. As you say "grim". Dark times for many amongst liberation. Kind regards, always, Jim.
Funnily enough, after I’d posted my theory, my mind did also wander to ladies in the, ahem, service industry (it doesn’t usually, I hasten to add, honest)
A favourite photograph. Constance in later years. Captivating smile and spirit of adventure to the fore. Kind regards, always, Jim.