A FORTNIGHT ago we published a request for information about two photographers who used to ply their trade on Weymouth beach.

We had quite the response to Allan Collier's ask for information on Louisa Gee, who worked at the American Studio on the sands from about 1890 to 1927 and John Ewart Chambers, who took mainly walking photo postcards on the promenade at Chambers Kiosk.

Looking Back regular Alvin Hopper got in touch as he knew John Chambers.

He remembers: "I knew John quite well. He took snapshots of anyone he thought photogenic. He was reasonable with his prices, so most people were quite willing to let him photograph them.

"He had a number of cameras,but his favourites were his two Leica 3a 35mm German cameras. I remember him once saying that he had paid a lot of money to have them corrected so they were synchronised for flashlight photography. I think he had this done so he could take pictures in low lighting."

Thanks also to Jenny Farwell, nee Palmer, for getting in touch. She remembers another photographer who took holiday snaps in Weymouth.

She writes: "I was made redundant from Vickers Armstrong in May 1967 and started working for Colin Rogers Photomasters in Derby Street, Weymouth.

"That summer Colin had the contract at Pontins and Riviera to take holiday snaps. This was a quick turn around to get the photos back to the camp. Arthur Jeans was the photographer and his wife did the colour printing. Colin took our wedding photos in September 1967. This brings back lots of happy memories."

We also heard from John Rundle of Weymouth who wondered if this photo of his late father Edward.I.B.Rundle, his first wife Florence A. Rundle and his late half sister Mamie crossing the Westham Bridge in Weymouth was taken by John Chambers.

He said: "I think the photos must have been taken in 1931 possibly Whit week or early summer as Mamie was born late August 1930.

"Could these photos have been taken by Mr Chambers or were there other photographers about? The hand written order code may be a clue.

"Strange that I have walked over that very spot many times since moving down here 5 years ago!"

Alan Collier, who is writing a book about Dorset Photographers 1851 - 1939, took a look at John Rundle's photo and said he was unable to positively identify this photo as a John Chambers photograph.

He said: "Chambers usually had his name on the back. I haven’t come across any of his taken on Westham Bridge area so far, he usually took his postcard photos on the promenade or on the sands between c1927 – 1939 .

"Sorry I can’t positively identify it unless his name is on the photo usually the back , its quite possible there were other photographers operating in other areas of Weymouth taking the so called 'walking photographs'."

Author Brian Searle also got in touch. He wrote a book called Weymouth Ferries - The Rise and Fall of a Port which included a photograph of the old Southern Railway steamer Isle of Guernsey, taken by John Chambers during a rare visit of the passenger ferry to Weymouth at Easter time in 1961.

Brian writes: "It shows the vessel turning in the harbour at low tide, and stirring up plenty of muck as she does so. By the time I had started on my book, John Chambers had sadly passed away, but with the help of my very good friend Phil Garrett, late of the Dorset Echo, I was able to interview John's widow, and she most generously gave me permission to use the photograph in the book.

"Weymouth Harbour was a most interesting place in which to work in those halcyon days, but after a second Channel Islands' service commenced from Portsmouth in 1977, the writing was on the wall for the Dorset port, and when the Earl Godwin (under her guise Moby Baby) departed from Weymouth early in 1990, the final curtain came down.

"I still recall those wonderful days on Weymouth Quay with gratitude and affection."

Thanks to you all for these contributions and best of luck to Allan with his book.