
A wonderful 1915 image of the original Royal ‘Middle’ Oak, supplied by Mr. Daryl Preston via David Evans. I’d love to name some of these faces. Note the watch chain, the clay pipe, the fine collection of hats, and a few good comb-overs. Considering this is during wartime, they look very happy. Click for a full size version.
Had a great one from David Evans a couple of days ago… as I typed this it occurred to me that the young lad far left would probably have been conscripted into the Second World War. Achingly sad.
Hi Bob
I think your readers will find this unique photo of interest. It is dated 1915 and shows the owners of the inn, Mrs Philips and her husband (in the sweater) on the back row of the photo with a goodly crowd of locals. Perhaps they may be able to identify some of the people in the group! My thanks to local Walsall Wood man, Darryl Preston for providing this image
With kind regards
David

Great photo Dave, will you thank Mr. Preston for us all please.
HI Clive
I certainly will..with pleasure..The photo is so clear and well lit, beats my efforts any time. Thanks for your nice comment. David
[...] Lane. Please, my personal thanks to David Oakley, Jenny Langford, Bill Bacon and especially to Darryl Preston who was born in the house marked with a star (in 1935), and who has kindly drawn this plan to show [...]
[...] by David Evan. He’s been talking at some length to fellow reader Daryl Preston, who also supplied the fantastic Royal Oak picture from last week and did so much to illuminate the darkness surrounding the mystery of The [...]
[...] to The Brownhills Blog – Lisa Downes. You may remember that on new year’s day, I posted a remarkable find by David Evans, a picture of a happy-looking crowd outside the Royal, or Middle Oak in Shire [...]
[...] Daryl Preston has supplied some great material for the Brownhills Blog. Not only did he supply the excellent photo from the Middle Oak (latterly restored beautifully by Lisa Downes), but he appears to be a sporting gentleman, having [...]