A century after the First World War, a trunk filled with photographs of British sailors having fun on the high seas has been found.
The never-before-seen archive belonged to Lieutenant Edward Williams who toured South and Central America with HMS Avoca and SS Arakaka from 1918 to 1920.
It looks like the crew had a lot of downtime as there are dozens of images of it non-pc dress-up parties, drinking sessions and boxing matches on the ship.
When the sailors disembarked, they met the locals, took in the scenery and bathed in tropical waters.
The archive will be sold by a private collector for £900 on July 19 at C&T Auctions in Ashford, Kent.
A centuries-old archive shows British sailors in costume, including wigs, hats and accessories
A photo taken after World War I shows two young men competing to see which of them can knock the other off the rock first, while their fellow sailors look on
British sailors introduced themselves in fancy dress and face paint with some resembling comedic actor and filmmaker Charlie Chaplin
Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, said: ‘The archive and medals are housed in its original seaman’s case where they have remained undisturbed for nearly 100 years.
“The seller, a private collector, bought the case at a flea market in Kent.”
The briefcase’s original owner, Lieutenant Williams, of the Royal Naval Reserve and Merchant Navy, spent time in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands.
While there he listened to a speech by the famous explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and then photographed him.
In addition to the photos, the briefcase also contains Lieutenant Williams’ medals, papers and cigarette case.
“Two photo albums accompany the group visually documenting its naval career from World War I through to the post-war years,” said Mr Tredwen.
‘In one of the albums is an original photograph of the famous Arctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, giving a speech at the Town Hall, Port Stanley.
‘The albums are very extensive and well annotated.
A snowy day for an experienced sailor who poses for the photograph taken by Lieutenant Edward Williams sailing the high seas after World War I
Some sailors appear to be jumping through hoops in a photograph from Lieutenant Edward Williams’ personal archive. Lt Williams, of the Royal Naval Reserve and Merchant Navy, spent time in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands
The sailors appear to have formed a bond as they are depicted posing in fancy dress and face paint while holding instruments
The boys take a trip to the coast in their spare time and some jump into a canoe
Matthew Tredwen, specialist at C&T Auctions, describes the photos of British sailors just after the First World War as a ‘superb grouping’
‘There are many very good images from his time in South America, a part of the world that was rarely visited at the time.
‘This is an excellent grouping that needs to be viewed to really appreciate its in-depth historical note.
“It really is a man’s life in a suitcase.”
His medal group consists of the George V Mercantile Medal, British War and Victory Medals.
Musically inclined sailors hold their various instruments ready to be played
A British sailor poses with a squid caught while sailing on the high seas
Pictured above are some sailors taking a busy swim and none of them seem to be able to keep still for the photo
One of the ways the sailors spent their free time was holding friendly boxing matches, an example of which is shown above
Two sailors, one of whom smokes a pipe, pose with large octopuses
Some of the photos in the 100-year-old archive were taken in South Africa just after World War I
In this photo, two sailors appear to be struggling, though the exact circumstances remain unclear
A 100-year-old suitcase bought at a flea market in Kent contains photographs, medals, cigarette case and paperwork. The briefcase’s original owner, Lieutenant Williams, of the Royal Naval Reserve and Merchant Navy, spent time in Port Stanley in the Falkland Islands
Lieutenant Edward Williams’ trunk, bought at a flea market in Kent, had medals (pictured), photographs, paperwork and a cigarette case inside