The day following the publication of the Lorna Edna Nattrass article (click here to view), I was contacted by her grandson, Craig Nattrass.

Craig is the son of Stanhope Roy Nattrass (known as Roy), Lorna and Hal Nattrass’s youngest child. No photograph of Roy was included in the original article in that the file did not contain a photograph of him.

During our meeting, over a cup of coffee, Craig shared valuable insights into the Nattrass family history, including a number of early photograph albums, Lorna’s flight records, Hal’s poetry and their medals.

Hal Nattrass, in addition to being a poet, was also awarded an OBE. All Hal’s poems were neatly collated and presented into a single volume. In my view, some of these poems should be shared by the family in the future.

Of interest is that the family files shown to me also contained the same life story by Lorna as found in the file obtained at a car boot sale. The files in the Nattrass’s possession also contain a different version of Lorna’s live story in which she makes reference to, amongst other, the 1918 Spanish flue.

Notably, I was shown a historically significant photograph of Lorna Edna Nattrass captured at Witbank, featuring her among several Second World War female volunteers. On this photograph, Lorna is distinguished by the wings on her uniform.

I was pleased to return the file to the Nattrass family, who clearly value their family heritage. The file also contained a family tree which will aid in documenting the broader family history, particularly from the Beadle and Hall perspectives.

While the origins of the file purchased at the car boot sale remain uncertain, it has been rightfully reunited with a family that deeply appreciates its history.

Photograph description

Lorna Edna Nattrass with female volunteers during World War 2 (WVAF). The photograph was captured at Witbank in 1942 by an unknown photographer.

Front row (from left to right): Millie Connop, Claire Mackenzie, Peggy Moore, Lorna Edna Nattrass (Commandant), Eloise Campbell, May Jeanes & Sheile Ellis

Centre row (from left to right): Anna Meyer, Beatrice Murray, Joey Viljoen, Sheila Andrews, Stella Prinsloo, Murial Blow, Patsy Gilday, Mattie Williamson, Gwen Hamlin & Audrey Brimfield

Back row (from left to right): Cissy Ritchie, Dorothy Yates, Bernice Jones, Ruth Gordon, Daisy Harley, Elsey Pring, Gwen Lynn & Mary Bibbey

Photograph provided by, and presented here with approval of Craig Nattrass

About the author: Carol is passionate about South African Photographica – anything and everything to do with the history of photography. He not only collects anything relating to photography, but also extensively conducts research in this field. He has published a variety of articles on this topic and assisted a publisher and fellow researchers in the field. Of particular interest to Carol are historical South African photographs. He is conducting research on South African based photographers from before 1910. Carol has one of the largest private photographic collections in South Africa.