Genealogy Chat

I've received today two separate photos, one of my gr-grandfather, and one of my gr-uncle, both coicidentally taken around 1952. Despite them being independently taken, a common thing in both is that the subjects have got what appear to be a little black square sewn onto the left sleeve of their jackets. Does anyone know what this could have been for/meant. The only idea we can come up with, particularly given the year of the photos, is that it was something to do with George VI's death. Has anyone come across this ? Cheers Simon

When Geo died, we all had to wear black armbands at school. It was still VERY common in those days for people to wear either an armband, or a square, if they were recently bereaved. OC

I agree with OC but strangely enough I have a feeling the custom died out fairly soon thereafter. Like OC I had to wear a black arm band for the king but do not remember wearing one again and had quite few uncles/aunts popping their clogs around that time. Clive

I can't remember having to wear a black armband or square but I do remember running home from school to tell my mother that the king had died. She already knew, can't remember if it was the chimney sweep or window washer that told her. Boy, I feel old! Margaret

Just looked it up The king died 6 Feb 1952 - and that was 55 years ago for those in the 18 to 25 year old bracket who the BBC says can not do maths. (Sniggers sarcastically.) Not that long ago really! C

I remember having to sew a little black square on to my Boy Scout uniform shirt. It was fairly common I think and was a mark of respect for the death of the King. Tom