I'll admit, this thread may well belong in the "India/Burma" section, but for me there is no better place it can sit than "The Lounge Bar" here. So, The "Elephant and Palm". Hidden in plain sight amongst the thousands of Cecil Beaton wartime photos that the IWM Collections are the curators of, and posted here in full respect of their copyright, in the hope of names being put to unknown faces, and the wonder that there would be for surviving family members being able to look upon "undiscovered" photos of their long departed loved ones. Would the Elephant and Palm have been The Pub Landlord's dream licence? Indeed was the licensee The Pub Landlord's grandfather? Was this how Al Murray got the gen on Earl Wavell and Claude Auchinleck? Did the Viceroy spill your pint? Were you there when The Auk was in the chair? All tongue in cheek aside folks, enjoy the super photos taken by Cecil Beaton, and thank goodness for their upkeep by the great staff of IWM Collections. Names to faces, faces to names. I truly hope all those featured in the photos survived the war, though I fear some did not. For a better view of any of the images please do visit IWM Collections and just put the photo ID (e.g. IB 1649) in the Collection's search box and zoom away. Cheers, and kind regards, always, Jim. P.S. Your starter for ten (pints!) IWM IB 1649 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". The Elephant and Palm, public bar. "Lunches, Teas, Car Park at Back, NO CHAR-A-BANCS"
IWM IB 1646 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". Captains, Colonels, and Corporals. Names to faces please, if you can.
IWM IB 1652 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". A young Miss Wavell (or possibly Mrs by then) out with her dad. Who was chaperoning who? And never, but never, forget The 14th! Kind regards, always, Jim.
My best guess, but a guess only it is, is that The Elephant and Palm was in Simla. Maybe. If any of you good folks know it's location for sure please post up here. I would be grateful and indebted to you. IWM IB 2108 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". 81st (West Africa) Division (maybe?) chap wearing his chapeau at a jaunty angle. I wonder if The Auk cleared his slate? Kind regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 2099 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". Our American friends get 'em in. I hope that these chaps made it back home and regaled their families with tales of the day the "Viceroy of India stood me a drink". Kind regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 2105 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". The American Sergeant at the Elephant and Palm. I hope he enjoyed his time at the limey pub in India. That's a super smile, and a name to the face to go with it would be great. Kind regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 2104 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". Another ally, a tech corporal at The elephant and Palm. Kind regards, always, Jim.
My only suggestion is that the senior officer (capped) closest to Wavell in the first few images is General T.J. Hutton. Thomas Jacomb Hutton - Wikipedia Edit: not sure on this—dates, ranks and location don't seem to match, but the face looks it to me.
While searching for some clues as to the above I found video of Wavell, remarkable for the fact that he speaks at some length (in a horribly 'hammy' faux-briefing). I don't know what I expected of his voice, but it wasn't this; in fact, he has a similar sort of accent to Alanbrooke, who was an Ulsterman by breeding.
Excellent, well found sir! Another one for Al Murray to look over methinks. I do very much suspect that the Ministry of Information, on receiving Cecil Beaton's "Elephant and Palm" photographs, had a touch of the vapours and consigned them to the "not for publication/never to see the light of day" portfolio. I've found no trace of publication, or any mention of the place as of yet. Kind regards, always, Jim.
More from Elephant and Palm the IWM Cecil Beaton Collection. IWM IB 1644 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". A few more American guys feature in this one. Kind regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 1645 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". Another (younger?) Miss Wavell to the fore. Along with an intense stare at the camera from one young chap. And, are those the Elephant and Palm opening hours taped to the post? Kind Regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 1647 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". Some staff officers? Three, maybe more? Plus the American uniformed pipe-smoker is still present. Kind regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 1648 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". A clearer picture of our pipe-smoking American. Plus a little tacker on the bench who looks like he's ready for a Vimto. A slim chance that he's the one person in the photo who may still be around? And a fella who may have had one too many senior Vimtos Kind regards, always, Jim.
IWM IB 1650 "Description Physical description Photographic negative". The Viceroy back in frame. Chap in the cut-down-brim Panama has a "Johhnie"-ish look about him. More later; I need a drink (note: Not a senior Vimto!) Kind regards, always, Jim.
Hi Jim, Thanks for your message. I'm not picking anyone out from amongst the images you have posted. Everyone is too well shaven (Chindit wise) for me to recognise. Cheers now Steve
