At Dorchester, they alighted to inspect eight army aeroplanes stationed close to the road. Although the public was not generally admitted, the rector’s wife was allowed a closer view of the machines. They reached Weymouth at 10.30 a.m. and remained there until 7.30 p.m.
On their return to the village, Henry White, the superintendent of the Sunday School, proposed a vote of thanks to the rector and his wife for their kindness in providing the outing.
Before leaving that morning, the group had its photograph taken. It is possible that the attached image is that very photograph. If so, the clergyman on the extreme left may be the Reverend Cleife, then aged 65; the boy in the front row may be Bert Rendell, aged 12; and one of the men may be Henry White, aged about 47, later recalled as the grandfather of Audrey Marsh.
It is noticeable that almost everyone follows the convention of not smiling, except for one boy at the back who is beaming. His identity is unknown.
If the photograph was indeed taken on 25 July 1914, it captures a moment just before a profound change. Ten days later, Britain declared war on Germany.
