Historical information

Percy Fairlam was an early 20th Century photographer living and working in Cheltenham.

Significance

Fairlam captured important social and landscape scenes in and around the Cheltenham area including cliff faces, sea baths, and rock pools. With the outbreak of World War I (WWI), Fairlam began training in Seymour and documented preparations for war, comradeship and the voyage to France and war. Shrapnel to the shoulder, on 4 January 1917, saw Fairlam evacuated to England and resulted in him being separated from his personal possessions. As such, all these images have been lost.

After the war, Fairlam moved into the family business and no longer pursued professional photography. However, he continued to take an interest in the art form capturing intimate family moments as well as continuing to capture social and landscape scenes.

Physical description

Black and white photograph of a Richard William Percy Fairlam (Percy Fairlam) standing in the doorway of a small wooden building. Above the doorway is a painted sign advertising it as the photography business of R.P. Fairlam. In the large window at the front of the shop a number of photographs can be seen.

Inscriptions & markings

Handwritten in red ink on reverse: 115%
Black printed text on a white round sticker on reverse: 71