One of the saddest subjects in the photos I collect are the little lost children. When I start researching the details written on the back of the photo my heart sinks when I realise what has happened to the little child in the photo. Tragically in 1901 in England and Wales, 127,000 infants and 81,000 children aged 1 to 14 died. 200 per 1000 under fives died at this time which equals a tragic 1 in 5 children. If a large family escaped a loss they were very lucky and some families lost several children. Measles, tuberculosis, influenza and diarrhoea were all childhood killers and in poor families the death rate would be even higher. 

One of the photos I bought recently was of this little boy identified as Percy Victor Sims taken in February 1912, aged 3 years 3 months.

Percy Victor Simms Aged 3 years 3 months in Feb 1912Percy Victor Sims Aged 3 years 3 months in Feb 1912

   Percy Victor Sims was born on 30th Nov 1908. He was the only child of Percy and Rosa Sims (Nee Biddle). In 1911 the family lived at 14 Beacon Street, Lichfield, Staffordshire. His father was a fishmonger. Sadly only 2 years later, in 1913, Percy died just 4 years old. His mother and father moved to 7 Brizlincote Street, Burton-upon-Trent, Staffordshire by 1939. The couple didn't appear to have had any more children. 

   I worry that the line of this little family has died and Percy Victor will be forgotten. Somewhere in Lichfield, Percy may have a tiny headstone in a cemetery. I hope that by sharing this photo, someone may search for details about him and his short life will always be remembered.