Edward Mudge left an extensive record of life on the Waterside in the first half of the twentieth century.  

Postcard of the interior of Fawley Church 

​Mudge was recorded in the 1891 census living in West Street, Southampton with his parents, his sister and his father's step sister and brother, both born in Jersey. All the men gave their occupation as tinsmith. In 1901 Mudge was still working as tinsmith and living with his parents in Millbrook. He was probably taking photographs by this time, as the example below is dated 1894. 

In 1904 Edward Mudge moved across Southampton Water to Ashlett Creek and began his long career as a Waterside photographer. At first he lived on a houseboat, and his studio and dark room were in the attic of the old Tide Mill. In 1911 he lodged in one of the cottages at Ashlett Creek. 

​Mudge photographed Spec in Southampton Water, the first vessel purchased by the founder of the firm Williams Shipping in 1894. He photographed beach scenes, Churches, building work, landmarks and shipping along the West Shore of Southampton Water until his death in 1964. 

One of Mudge's earliest photographs, Spec​ ​in Southampton Water.