Setting the Scene

India was the most important part of John Anton’s life from 1924 to 1928.

His nephew was brought up hearing all the stories about him, with a sense of excitement and awe for the fulfilling experience that he had there, compared with the humdrum life at home with his family and the ever-present feelings of financial failure.

We have to judge his life from the four letters he sent home that have come down to us, together with all his photographs – 100 glued into an album and 100 loose photographs in envelopes. These photos comprise 90% of all the photos that exist of John Anton.

John’s photograph album presents a problem. There is cause to believe that he didn’t create it, as the writing under some photos does not seem to have his florid style. In one case where a photo has been peeled back, more writing can be seen underneath. Should one try to soak off the photos to see what is written underneath or leave the album with its integrity unchanged?

All the photos have been digitised, so there is no danger of destroying the images. This issue will be resolved at a later date.

Understanding John’s life and feelings from his photographs is a matter of the interpretation of the ethos of his life.

His social life and his friends comprise most of the photos in the album, and pride of place is given to his first home, a bungalow beside the River Hooghly – 9, Riverside.

Nevertheless it is his job with McLeod & Co that gives him the greatest satisfaction.

But let’s begin at the beginning – The Journey Out