The Invergordon Archive
No: 1485 Contributor: Catherine Mackay Year: 1915
Soldier and two girls
This image, taken by a photographic studio called E. J. Privell or Privett, Invergordon, has been among a collection of old photographs in my family home in the Isle of Lewis. This picture partners another - picture #1484 - and the two girls with the soldier appear to be the same two girls in the other photo. I wondered if they belonged to anyone in your area, although I know they may simply have stationed in Invergordon during WW1.
(The precise date of the photo is not known - Site Admin.)
Picture added on 17 November 2011 at 10:13
I seem to remember that there was a family called Privett in Invergordon, but I can't think of their first names or what they did!
Added by Joe MacDonald on 18 November 2011
I remember Mr Privett very well from his years as the Pool Superintendent - he taught me and many many others to swim by means of a rope and harness device that ran up one side of the pool. I have never seen the method used anywhere else but it seemed to work OK. The harness was fixed round the waist and the rope went through a block and tackle type device that was attached to a rope suspended the full length of the eastern end of the pool. He held the pupil up in the water as you learned the basic stroke and as you progressed the rope attached to the harness would slide along the suspended rope as you moved along. Gradually as you became more proficient he would decrease the level of support till you were swimming freely.
I believe that he was a photographer to trade and did the pool as a summer job in later life. He lived in the first house west of the pool and the house is still there and was occupied up until a few years ago by his daughter.
I believe that he was a photographer to trade and did the pool as a summer job in later life. He lived in the first house west of the pool and the house is still there and was occupied up until a few years ago by his daughter.
Added by Graham MacKenzie on 18 November 2011
I too recall the name Privett and like Joe that is all I know.
In the other picture one of the girls is in the Seaforth Highlanders uniform - were women in uniform in those days?
In the other picture one of the girls is in the Seaforth Highlanders uniform - were women in uniform in those days?
Added by Harry O'Neill on 18 November 2011
Right you are Graham, I should have known, he was at the old pool with the contraption you describe.
I believe there is a picture of him demonstrating it on this site, if one looks under swimming pool.
I believe there is a picture of him demonstrating it on this site, if one looks under swimming pool.
Added by Harry O'Neill on 18 November 2011
That's how I learnt to swim too. I always thought he was the borough surveyor before Mr Woodburn and then retired and did the swimming pool. His daughter Joan lived in the house, he also had a son Stanley? Just think what Health & safety would make of the belt now far less the lack of chlorine but it never did us any harm..
Added by Liz Taylor nee Askew on 19 November 2011
I remember Joan Privett, worked in the office in Frew's garage. The girl on the left of the photo has a good look of her. She stayed near the old swimming pool, Sunnyside Cottage on Saltburn Road next to the Goldsacks, remember delivering the mail to them.
Added by William Smart on 22 December 2011
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