Published on Tuesday, 30 December 2025 at 12:53:18 PM
Happy #TimeWarpTuesday everyone. Today we continue our deeper look into the photographs entered into the 2025 Local History Awards by Renae Carey.
Renae interviewed her partner’s grandmother, Valmai Tilbrook and told her story in poetic lines in the Personal Memoirs category. Renae’s entry was also illustrated with many beautiful images from Val’s life in East Victoria Park. 16 photographs were entered which illustrate different time periods and life experiences in ‘The Park’. This week we are featuring four photographs taken during World War II that document farewells as Val’s father and uncle went off to serve.
The Photographic Memories Category
Entrants to the category can be from any time period in history, they must be taken in the Town of Victoria Park and not be photographs already held in the Town of Victoria Park Local History Collection. For each photograph entered the entrant is required to answer some set questions about the photograph including details on who is in the photograph and any other additional information such as whey the photograph was taken (if known) and the location of the photograph etc.
Today we bring to you four of the photographs entered, and these are here after described as submitted by Renae Carey.
6. ‘Ray Bruce, the Son of Airforce Personnel’
Name of the person who took the photograph, if known?
Stanley Bruce.
Date when it was taken: 13/01/1942.
Where was it taken?
6 Milford Street.
Who is in the photograph?
Ray, the older brother of Valmai Tilbrook and the son of Airforce personnel Stanley Bruce and wife Hilda.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
Southerly Direction.
Do you know what is in the background?
4 Milford street and 6 in the foreground.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Part of a collection of photographs taken to farewell his father to Sydney for air force training.
What condition is your photograph in? (several options available to choose from): Good.
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
Ray Bruce, the son of Airforce personnel.
PH00463-04 Ray Bruce, the son of an Airforce personnel
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
7. ‘Uncle's Farewell, Milford Street WWII’
Name of the person who took the photograph, if known?
Likely Stanley Bruce, the brother of the adult pictured.
Date when it was taken: 13/01/1942
Where was it taken?
Front yard of 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Who is in the photograph?
Left: Fred Bruce, the brother of Stanley Bruce. Aged in his late 20s to early 30s. In army uniform but not part of the Airforce like his brother Stan.
Fred and Stan's parents were Robert Alexander Bruce and Alice (Douglas) Bruce. Through Maternal linage, connects to the pioneering Douglas family.
The little girl is Valmai, his niece and standing next to her is her older brother Ray.
Do you know what is in the background?
6 Milford Street in foreground, 4 Milford street in background.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
Fred was going somewhere to participate in training for World War II.
What condition is your photograph in? (several options available to choose from): Good
Has this photograph been enhanced or altered? No
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
Uncle’s farewell, Milford Street WWII
PH00463-06 Uncle's farewell, Milford Street WWII
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
8. ‘Off to the Airforce, Milford Street’
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Either Ray, Fred, Hilda or Stanley Bruce.
Date when it was taken: 13/01/1942.
Where was it taken?
In the front yard of 6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park.
Who is in the photograph?
The man on the left is Stanley Bruce who was in his 40s at the time. [He] came from a dairy pioneering family, whom his father ran with the well-known Manning Family.
The woman next to him on the right is his wife Hilda Bruce nee Taylor, also in her 40s and a housewife at this time.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
South-east facing Swansea Street.
Do you know what is in the background?
Front footpath and front yard of 6 Milford street in the immediate foreground with the wooden picket boundary fence in the background, separating number 6 from number 4, visible to the left.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
To capture a farewell between husband and wife as Stan went to the Eastern states (Sydney) to train for the Airforce. He eventually returned to then be stationed up north during war.
What additional information can you give about this photograph?
The house in the background was built in the same style as 2, 6,8 and number 10 from the same builder, Mr. Blackman.
What condition is your photograph in? (several options available to choose from): Good
Has this photograph been enhanced or altered? No
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
Off to the Airforce, Milford Street.
PH00463-07 Off to the Airforce, Milford Street.
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
9. 'A Father's Farewell, Milford Street’
Name of the person who took the photograph(s), if known?
Ray, Fred, Hilda or Stanley Bruce.
Date when it was taken: 13/01/1942.
Where was it taken?
6 Milford Street, East Victoria Park
Who is in the photograph?
Male -40yo Stanley Bruce.
Little girl - Valmai Tilbrook nee Bruce, Stanley's daughter.
In which direction was the photograph taken?
Southern direction.
Do you know what is in the background?
Wooden picket boundary fence, box tree, tile awning within foreground - 6 Milford. Side wall and roof of 4 Milford street in background.
Do you know why the photograph was taken?
A daughter's farewell to her father Stan as he prepares to attend training in Sydney for the Airforce during WW2.
What condition is your photograph in? (several options available to choose from): Fair.
Does your photograph have a title? If yes, please include below:
A Father’s farewell, Milford Street.
PH00463-05 A father's farewell, Milford Street.
Local History Collection, Town of Victoria Park Library Service.
-End of Description of Photographs-
We hope today that you have enjoyed this look back at this record of a family’s farewell to each other. One wonders what Fred and Stanley Bruce were feeling, and whether little Val and her brother Bruce fully comprehended the momentous event of loved ones heading off to war and leaving them behind waiting.
Have you got an old photo or two you’d like to share? Or perhaps you’ve taken a photo in more recent times that showcases part of Victoria Park in some way? We would love to see it. All year around we are happy to receive donations and can always scan and return originals as required. You may also like to get ready and prepare an entry for the 2027 Local History Awards. Either way, I hope you feel encouraged to protect, conserve and share our wonderful stories.
We Need You to help preserve our local history, so please consider how you can get involved…
Don’t hesitate to get in touch with us via telephone: 08 9373 5500, email: vicparklibrary@vicpark.wa.gov.au, by mail: PO Box 1109, East Victoria Park WA 6981 or in person at 27 Sussex Street, East Victoria Park.
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