While sorting through a few things recently I came across these photos of 1950's New York which were taken by a chap who worked with my late father when my family was in business in the 1950's. The chap was employed as a radio engineer but decided to leave and spend 2 years travelling the USA, in a 1950 Chevrolet De Luxe, working as he went to pay his way. He visited most US states in the period 1953-55 and on his return to the UK my Grandfather gave him his old job back, something he didn't normally do.
Tragically not that long after his return to the UK in 1955, he committed suicide by tying his father's shotgun to a tree and shooting himself. The reason for this is because he was in trouble with the police for something that is no-longer a crime in the UK and, for want of a better way of putting it, he had been caught sleeping with another man and so felt that there was no other way out. The police did subsequently come and see my grandfather to ask if he knew that his employee had been "gay". My grandfather replied "Yes and I've lost a damn good radio engineer.".
As far as I am aware these photos have never been seen publicly before but I thought people here would like to see them.
Pics 2-4 are around and off Time Square, according to the captions on the back and the 4 pics following the silhouette of the Empire State Building are various views from the top.
In memory of John D. who my family thought highly of and were greatly saddened when he took his own life.
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Last edited by Flying10uk; 12-23-2021 at 08:52 PM.
I copied the pics from original 1950's prints that are captioned on the back.
According to my late father, when John D. first came back, on one occasion, he decided to walk round Clacton wearing a 10 gallon hat, leather boots and spurs. People must have thought that a cowboy had come to town in 1950's Clacton.
I grew up in (upstate) NY from '53 to '75 before moving to the most awesome state of Texas. At the time, it was a great place to grow into, but no regrets leaving!
A brief postscript to the above sad story is that I found this "Thank-you postcard" yesterday, while sorting through some things, from John's parents thanking my family for our sympathy.
Last edited by Flying10uk; 12-23-2021 at 08:54 PM.
Also wanted to point out the next-to-last photo has Penn[sylvania] station to the left. It would be demolished a decade after that photo and prompt NYC's preservation movement.
, in a 1950 Chevrolet De Luxe, working as he went to pay his way. He visited most US states in the period 1953-55 and on his return to the UK
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