Sunlounger

"There was no test, Hope's plates being used. On receipt of the prints we found the face of the extra was familiar to both Mitchell and me but we could not place it. The photograph was shown to a number of people at Pudsey, a large number of whom, particularly members of the Unitarian Church, said it was familiar but no one could actually place it. It seemed to me, therefore, that the person represented had most likely been a native of Pudsey and probably a member of the Unitarian Church. Accordingly, I kept a copy in my pocket and showed it to many people who lived in the neighbourhood.

One evening, running short of cigarettes, I called at the shop of Ernest Harrison, 18 Pembroke Road, Pudsey. Ernest Harrison was not a spiritualist and as far as I know, knew nothing about the subject. But I casually passed him the print, asking him if [he] recognised the photograph. He at once turned very white, clutched the counter and for a minute was unable to speak. Then, he said, obviously much moved, "What is this? Where did you get it?" I explained. "Do you recognise it?" I asked. "It's my mother" he answered, "who died a fortnight ago." I was inclined to deny this, as I knew Mrs Harrison and had not recognised her. But he was certain and explained his mother had had a stroke a few hours before death and this had completely changed her expression and this extra showed her as she appeared just before death. I was still unconvinced but he said "Only my fiancée and I saw her like this: I'll call her." He did so and at once without any hint of prompting, she recognised the likeness in almost the identical words Mr Harrison used. One of the best recognition cases I have come across. Mrs Harrison had been known to both Mitchell and myself.".