This week's pictures from the past

The original caption to this photo describes it as "Operation Rendezvous, Shropshire contingent. May 1953."

This convoy of what look like military vehicles is setting off from Wellington fire station.

The fire station was officially opened on May 22, 1953, so perhaps this event was connected – although the fire station was in operation for some months before the official opening.

The new fire station in Haybridge Road replaced one in Foundry Road.

Ah, yes, Billy Wright, the Ironbridge-born . . . cricketing star? This photo shows the Wolves and England footballing legend in unfamiliar guise. He's front, second from the left.

This photo was loaned to us by John Stokes, of Ellesmere, and shows Billy in 1949 playing for the Henry Meadows Ltd cricketing team.

The Henry Meadows factory was in Fallings Park, Wolverhampton, and John served his apprenticeship there. John says Billy did not play for the Meadows cricket team beyond 1950.

The photo was sent to John by one of his old workmates at the factory, John Drewett, who lives now in New South Wales, Australia. Mr Drewett is sitting front left next to Billy.

Our thanks to Peter and Audrey Edgerton, of Whixall, for the loan of this photo of Wem Recreation Ground. It looks like it might date from the late 1920s.

They tell us: "It was opened to the public on July 29, 1925, by John Kynaston, JP. The site was purchased by public subscriptions for the sum of £1,100 for about eight and a quarter acres, having entrances from Aston Street, New Street, and Shrubbery Gardens.

"The recreation ground used to belong to The Hall, Wem."

These Shropshire lads were a long way from home over 55 years ago. This photo was emailed to us by Ron Gill of Buildwas, who is the young man on the right.

"It was taken on the roof of our barrack block in Majeedee Barracks, Johore Bahru, Malaya, some time in either 1952 or early 1953," said Ron, who lived back then at The Werps, Jackfield.

"At that time I was serving in REME, attached to 221 Vehicle Battalion RAOC, and the other three lads were Privates Bates, of 11 Cherrington; Cudd, of 52 Holyhead Road, Wellington; and Bridgewater, of 13 Orchard Road, Shifnal who, as far as I can remember, were all serving in the RAOC. Unfortunately I do not remember their first names.

"If these chaps or their relatives are still in the area and would like a copy of the picture I would be happy to supply one."

If anyone would like a copy of this photo, contact us and we can pass on Ron's contact details.

The building of the Free Bridge at Jackfield, as seen in a postcard franked at Pontesbury on September 2, 1909, and also at Birkenhead on September 3, 1909.

It is a W.S. Allcock of Ironbridge photo and, as the bridge was actually opened in June of 1909, the postcard view itself must be from before that date, as it clearly shows the building work in process.

The message was: "Fine weather come at last. Hope to see you all soon. Love to all. D. (? signature unreadable)." It was posted to Miss Aubert (?), of 9 Virginia Road, New Brighton.

Picture: Ray Farlow

The story with the picture at the time said: "After 108 years, the 'secondhand' Methodist chapel at Grove Lane, Bayston Hill, is seeing its last months before being replaced by a new church at Lansdowne Road.

"The chapel is secondhand because it was built in 1861 from the bricks of derelict coal pit buildings at Red Hill."

Naturally we endeavour to bring you all the moos fit to print . . . We're going back about 100 years for this view of Pool Quay, near Welshpool.

On close inspection, this might be a bull taking a dip, rather than a cow.

There are some interesting features in the background – the track leading down to the river, seen above the beast, and what looks like a sort of wooden latticework on the right. A fish trap perhaps?

Picture: Sally Anne Richards