Accession Number

2023.003.017

Description

One sepia-toned studio photograph of Major Edgar Dudley Coventry. He is wearing a British Army uniform. His oiled hair is parted on his right side and he has a moustache. The photograph is mounted on gray paper that is itself mounted on a cream-coloured matboard. Across the gray paper at the lower right is the pencil signature of the photographer, Janet Jevons. On the back of the matboard at the upper left, also in pencil, is written: “Marjorie’s 2nd Husband – his 1st Wife Major Edgar Dudley Coventry - Army – SAS. Born 26.3.1915 – In India died 6.9.1993 – Harare, Zimbabwe.” Below this description is the photographer’s stamp in black ink: “Portrait by JANET JEVONS, 19/20, NEW BOND ST. W.1. TEL. REGENT3883-4…”(indistinct small letters).

Narrative

This photograph depicts Major Edgar Walter Dudley Coventry (1915-1993), second husband of Marjorie Jean "Biddy" Holme-Sumner. His military career, which included service with the SAS (Special Air Service), is briefly described here: https://www.specialforcesroh.com/index.php?threads/coventry-edgar-walter-dudley.31393/ (last accessed October 4, 2023). A photograph of him taken in Malaya in 1956 can be seen here: https://gallery.commandoveterans.org/cdoGallery/v/units/5/dudley+coventry/EWD+Coventry_Malaya.jpg.html?g2_imageViewsIndex=1 (last accessed October 4, 2023)

History of Use

This photograph was created in about 1947 and was used by Marjorie Jean Biddy Holme-Sumner in Britain for an unknown period of time. It was later used by her sister Georgiana Holme-Sumner and her husband Robert Dunlop Stewart. It was next owned by their son, who donated the photograph to Craigdarroch Castle in 2023. He had been using it at his home in Scotland.

Date

circa 1947

Dimensions

32.3 x 26 cm

Subject/Image

Major Edgar Dudley Coventry

Support

Paper, Photographic paper; Cardstock

Inscription

Verso, in pencil:
Marjorie’s 2nd Husband – his 1st Wife Major Edgar Dudley Coventry  - Army – SAS. Born 26.3.1915 – In India died 6.9.1993 – Harare, Zimbabwe.

Country of Origin

England