RECENTLY, in my weekly feature for Berrow's Worcester Journal, I published what I considered a very significant photograph taken in the Faithful City exactly half-a-century ago.

It was of the Remembrance Sunday wreath-laying ceremony at the Cathedral Cenotaph in November 1952, but what I found particularly eye-catching about the scene were the buildings in the background.

They are now long lost but once familiar features of the townscape - St Michael's Church and the Punchbowl pub which stood in College Street, looking towards the Cathedral.

I reproduce that 50 years-old photograph here again today, particularly in view of a fascinating response I have had from a reader who found the picture of great personal interest.

When he saw the photograph, James Markham of Riverview Close, Worcester, immediately spotted himself amid the line of military personnel and civic dignitaries lined up to lay wreaths on the Cenotaph.

He was then serving in the Worcester Sea Cadet Corps and he says that he "wouldn't mind betting" that he is the only survivor of that wreath-laying line up.

The two figures in the foreground were Worcester's Mayor of 1952, garage owner Councillor WF Holloway, and the Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, Admiral Sir William Tennant.

James Markham, in his seaman's writer uniform of the Sea Cadets, can just be seen in the background to the right of Admiral Sir William Tennant.

James was in the Sea Cadets for several years from the age of 11 until being called up for National Service, no, not on the high seas but in the skies with the RAF.

Later, he worked for Kays and Baileys, the builders' merchants, before spending 30 years in the Fire Service at Worcester, largely in the Control Room.

However, in his off-duty hours he was also a retained fireman for 12 years.