THERE is a haunting quality about the picture taken at Energlyn Hospital in Caerphilly in 1944 or 1945.

Only months after it was taken Lydia Mellon to the left of the photograph and wearing the tartan dressing gown was dead from tuberculosis.

“She was only 41 and had been backwards and forwards to the Royal Gwent and Cefn Mably to Caerphilly where she died”

says her daughter Honora Sadler, 81, of Aberthaw Road, Newport.

“My father Richard was a docker and there was one son who was five years older than me who has since died.

“I’ve had the photograph taken in the TB ward ever since the war and from time to time have thought about finding out the names of the other people on it.

“It was a long time ago and others besides my mother will be dead but it is just conceivable that some are alive or that someone will recognise a relative.

“Since mother died in 1946 the picture must have been taken near to Christmas, 1944 or 1945 at the latest.

“After all these years I hope there is a memory I can share with somebody.”

Mrs Sadler can be contacted at 01633 280122.