READHIS | ASSIGNMENT NO.

Analyzing the Documentary, The Stranger in the Brother’s Grave

as an Historiographical Case Study

[Regine Ann G. Garcia | FODAR3]

1. In Mrs. Anne Smith--Kear’s search for the “unknown friend” of her deceased brother
(Karl), which source of historical information proved to be more helpful: eyewitnesses or
primary documents? Explain why you think so.

In the search of the “unknown friend” of the deceased boy (Karl), I would say that the
primary documents were deemed to be more helpful in solving the mystery. It didn’t just
serve as a reliable document, but it also became a source of clues and information which
is valuable and vital in the search of this mystery.

Since Karl died 70 years ago, the eyewitnesses of this case weren’t considered to be
helpful and reliable as most of them were already on their 80s. Many of them have
already died and those who have lived can no longer recall Karl or the incident that
happened back then. The citizens in the village who were eager to help and share what
they knew about the incident didn’t contribute much to the case since most of the leads
just directs to a dead-end.

2. Which primary documents in the Gloucestershire Archives proved to be very crucial in

the search for the identity of the person leaving flowers at Karl Smith’s grave.

In the Gloucestershire Archives, they gathered the documents and found the photos that
even Anne have never seen before. The photos showed a picture of the 18 boy scouts
during the camp with each of their names written at the bottom of the paper including
Eric White’s address. Out of all the documents that was gathered in the archive, the photo
that consists of Karl’s photographs with the scouts plays a crucial role in the search for
this case since the name that appears more often on all the primary documents that Anne
and Camila gathered, have led them to discover the exact person they were searching for.

3. Ronald Westborough is not just the man leaving flowers at Karl Smith’s grave for the
past 70 years. He was also an eyewitness to the last moments of Karl and his tragic death
in 1947. What is your personal assessment of Ronald Westborough’s statements as an
eyewitness to the life, character, and death of Karl Smith?

Ronald Westborough was the closest friend of Karl as they met on the scouts to begin
with. He became the main eyewitness to the incident as Karl and Ron went to the camp
and even shared the same tent the night before Karl died on the sea. Basically, Ronald
 became Karl’s buddy on the camp as Ron explained how they both put on their bathing
costumes and walked around the camp while playing with the other boys. Assessing
Ronald’s statements, this proves how Ronald value Karl so much that all his life he never
forgot about Karl’s death and even joined the police force. Indeed, Ron has valued their
friendship so much that he never failed to pay a visit on Karl’s grave from time to time.

4. How did this documentary “The Stranger at My Brother’s Grave: change your views of
history as a scientific discipline / or subject?

This documentary says a lot about how history can’t remain as a history alone. The value
and importance of preserving primary documents contributes a lot in future investigations
just like how Camila and Anne solved the mystery by reaching out to the Gloucestershire
Archives. Their story didn’t just serve as an eye opener to many of us, but it also serves
as a reminder that we should start giving importance on document-keeping. Reaching out
to the archives for document keeping purposes will not just help in reconstructing history,
but it also sheds light on how documents can be a significant solution in resolving
national histories or even simple family histories.