The Kissling brothers

  The Kissling Brothers, Germany, 1914   These photographs show Dr Kissling and his brothers in their German military uniforms during the First World War.   Dr Kissling (left) joined the Prussian Guard in 1914 straight after leaving school. He managed to transfer to the German navy at the end of 1915 and considered this move to have saved his life.   Gunther (centre) was killed whilst fighting in Russia in 1915 at the age of 19.   Georg Conrad (right) survived the First World War but died during the Second World War in 1944.   Dr Kissling was proud of his military service but was deeply affected by the loss of both of his brothers. He kept photographs of himself and his brothers in uniform in a portable photograph frame until he died.   With thanks to David Lockwood, Ralph Coleman, and Michael Russell for providing information.   Dr Werner Kissling (1895-1988) was a German photographer and ethnographer who spent most of his life documenting Scottish crafts, architecture, and agricultural practices. He was associated with Dumfries Museum from the mid-1950s until his death in 1988.