Officer judging the special competition
A young cavalryman poses for the camera next to two horses. He is holding both sets of reins. Another man, possibly a judge, stands close by. Horse shows were not organised purely for recreational purposes. The... More
Germans destroy all bridges as they are driven back, but our troops qu...
Cavalrymen crossing a bridge, France, during World War I. This image shows a long line of cavalrymen travelling across a temporary bridge. They are all laden down with equipment. Their load includes food for th... More
Some of the spectators during World War I
Groups of soldiers are all sitting along a river bank while a couple of soldiers stand on the path close to the camera. In the distance soldiers wearing gear can be seen. Everybody seems fairly relaxed...Soldie... More
Colonel of the regiment watching the greasy pole competition
Cavalrymen, including the Colonel of the regiment, sitting on a river bank watching a greasy pole competition, during World War I. They appear to be completely engrossed in the event. Although they are in full ... More
Cavalry on the move during World War I
The power and noise of all these animals and men on a purposeful move would have been a new sight for most of these conscripted soldiers. The quality of the light, the soldiers in their trenches and the field o... More
Spectators watching the swimming race
Spectators at a swimming competition, during World War I. This image shows a group of women and children standing on a river bank. They are watching members of the cavalry taking part in a swimming competition.... More
At a training school, Flanders - Public domain portrait print
A large group of soldiers at a training school, in France, during World War I. Some of the men nearer the front are holding weapons. The men in the distance merge to form a sea of faces. At the back of the grou... More
Haig in uniform on joining the Hussars
Haig as a Hussar, Britain, 1885. A studio portrait of Douglas Haig as a young man of 23, in uniform after he had joined the 7th (Queen's Own) Hussars in February 1885. After attending Oxford University, he had... More
Cavalry during World War I
Photographs depicting cavalry...digital.nls.uk/75206933 ( http://digital.nls.uk/75206933 )
Active service stable during World War I
A rather primitive form of outdoor stable with a soldier grooming a horse. With no stable roof to protect the horses from adverse weather, it is likely that the horses were not in a good physical state, as illu... More
Diving competition during World War I
A man jumping off a makeshift diving board into a river. This diving event is part of a larger swimming competition, organised by the Cavalry. On the opposite river bank there are a number of spectators, both s... More
R.H.A. going into action at the gallop
This photograph shows gun teams of the Royal Horse Artillery going into action. The field gun is pulled by a team of three pairs of horses, with one rider to each pair. An officer rides in front. Another team a... More
Cavalry patrol during World War I
A cavalryman sitting on his horse on a ridge. Man and horse are black, outlined against a cloudy sky. This photograph is symbolic of the last days of the use of cavalry in European warfare. Trench warfare and t... More
Area flooded by the Germans now used as a watering place
Cavalry crossing a flooded stretch of ground. According to the photograph's original caption it has been flooded by the Germans. It is possibly farmland they are travelling through, although with the flooding i... More
Competitors in the Section jumping, Flanders
three cavalrymen taking part in a horse show. They are competing in the jumping section. Behind them, on the horizon, there is a large crowd of spectators. Often at events of this nature local people would also... More
Cavalry patrols advancing over open country near Mory
Cavalry advancing briskly over very flat countryside. Each man holds the reins in his left hand keeping his right hand free for his lance. Cavalry patrols could cover the ground quickly, but each horse presente... More
Cavalry moving forward during World War I
Group of cavalrymen, France, during World War I. This image shows a number of cavalrymen travelling in single file. They are winding their way across a flat expanse of grass-covered land, with little or no trac... More
Indian Cavalry during World War I
Indian cavalry, Western Front, during World War I. This is one of a number of photographs showing the Indian cavalry who fought with the Allies. In the autumn of 1914, the urgent need for trained soldiers led t... More
Cavalrymen resting in a shell hole waiting for the order to move up
Cavalrymen sit in a shell hole. Their horses stand at the side of the hole in a circle. All the men are wearing steel helmets and the horses are laden down with equipment. The legs of the horses are very muddy.... More
Some Cavalry Officers in rest after the Arras fighting
This photograph shows two off-duty cavalry officers resting and fishing after the fighting at the French town of Arras. Note the cavalry emblem on the jacket sleeve of the officer with his hands in his pocket, ... More
Cavalry with spears during World War I
Two soldiers on horses are riding down the middle of a dirt road. They are wearing unusual uniforms and carrying spear or javelin-like implements. The road is lined with soldiers standing and watching the horse... More
Scene on the road near Tincourt
Flooded road near Tincourt, France. This image shows a flooded road on the outskirts of Tincourt. There is a cavalryman on the road alongside a horse and cart. On the left there are trees lining the road. On th... More
Tommy salutes French troops passing through a town, Flanders
Four British soldiers, standing at a crossroads, wave or salute as members of the French Cavalry pass by. The cavalrymen in the foreground lead a convoy of motorcars and horse-drawn vehicles. A young girl stand... More
Gas mask drill for artillery horses
The soldiers, standing next to their mounts, look particularly proud and eager in this image. Perhaps the drill has gone really well! Horses were a vital resource at the Front both for cavalry and transport rol... More
Note the gun in the air through going over a bank
Royal Horse Artillery in action, France, during World War I. This photograph shows a field gun being pulled into position by a horse team of the Royal Horse Artillery. They are going so fast that the two back w... More
Cavalry reconnaissance party during World War I
This image has an other-worldly atmosphere to it. It is believed to have been the work of the official war photographer John Warwick Brooke. The soldiers and their horses are standing in the middle of jagged pi... More
R.H.A. going through the river at a gallop
Royal Horse Artillery in a river, France. At least two gun teams of the Royal Horse Artillery are galloping in the water along a shallow river bed. The landscape appears very wooded so the river may have provid... More
Cavalry officer negotiates a mined road
A cavalry officer casually smoking a pipe as his horse picks its way down the steep slope of a mine crater. A great degree of horsemanship must have been needed to control horses in the extreme noise and diffic... More
Race in progress during World War I
A swimming race in progress, during World War I. Flags have been placed in the water as markers. There are soldiers the whole length of the left river bank watching. On the right bank there appears to be a smal... More
British Cavalrymen sheltering behind their horses from the snow and wi...
Members of the British Cavalry during World War I. Members of the British Cavalry huddle together, next to their horses. The horses and men keep close to one another in an attempt to keep warm, and shelter from... More
Royal Scots Greys riding through a village
Royal Scots Greys entering a village, France, during World War I. This photograph shows a long line of cavalry riding past tall brick-built farm buildings. The horses are reflected in the river in the foregroun... More
General view of La Bassee during World War I
Ruined La Bassee, France, during World War I. Parts of the houses are still standing and the road in the middle of the rubble is still visible. Cavalrymen, motorised vehicles and soldiers are all present carryi... More
British cavalry advancing over newly captured ground
Members of the British Cavalry cantering along the edge of a field. All of the cavalrymen are wearing steel helmets and appear to be fully armed and equipped. On the right there is a fence and some farm buildi... More
Cavalry after an attack on the enemy
This photograph is eloquent of the complete waste of cavalry in the warfare of the Western Front. The cavalry are returning after an attack, while the equally doomed infantry run into action. Of the dozen or so... More
View of Thilloy during World War I
This shows a cavalry unit in a ruined French town. The men have dismounted and a few stand by the horses, while the rest are looking at the ruins. The German policy of devastating towns and villages as they ret... More
Cavalry officer leading his men through a ruined village
Cavalry travelling through a ruined village. It is very difficult to tell from this photograph that there used to be a village here. Not one building is left standing. It is a scene of total destruction and dev... More
Skid for forage-carrying across mud
A soldier on horseback pulling a small sled containing a bale of hay and a sack of provisions. A sled would be better for transporting supplies than a wheeled vehicle, as wheels would quickly become stuck in th... More
British and French Cavalry grazing their horses together after an enga...
Mounted troops from British and French regiments letting their horses graze and rest after an engagement. As the horses are heavily laden with equipment, they would certainly need a rest. It is fairly easy to d... More
Greys resting on the roadside during World War I
Members of the cavalry resting their horses by the side of the road, in France. The men are milling around in front of their horses. They all look fairly glad to be having a rest. The line of dapple grey horses... More
Greasy pole competition during World War I
This man has possibly just fallen off the greasy pole in the greasy pole competition. He is splashing about in the river while he holds onto a rope attached to the pole. This event is part of a larger swimming ... More
Two officers studying a map in a captured village, Flanders
Two officers leaning against the wall of a ruined building, reading a map. The two officers are still wearing spurs, so have probably entered on horseback. They appear to belong to one of the Lancer Regiments a... More
British Cavalry ready to advance during recent operations
British Cavalry waiting to advance during World War I. Men of the British Cavalry stand next to their horses. They can be seen far into the distance, along with a number of carts and wagons. The men are all wea... More
Cavalry crossing a temporary bridge
Cavalry on the move, during World War I. A line of relaxed cavalrymen are crossing a small, narrow bridge. The wintry landscape is clearly visible. Two foot soldiers sit with their jerry cans and watch the cava... More
British transport crossing a pontoon bridge across the Marne
Pontoon bridge over the Marne, France. This photograph shows a line of soldiers leading horses and a few mules across a pontoon bridge over the Marne. Apart from the officers, the soldiers are turbaned and wear... More
![Patient ready for discharge to duty from a Vetinary [sic] hospital](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn2/L3RodW1ibmFpbC8xOTE0LzEyLzMxL3BhdGllbnQtcmVhZHktZm9yLWRpc2NoYXJnZS10by1kdXR5LWZyb20tYS12ZXRpbmFyeS1zaWMtaG9zcGl0YWwtMjAwLmpwZw%3D%3D/40/40/webp "Patient ready for discharge to duty from a Vetinary [sic] hospital")
Patient ready for discharge to duty from a Vetinary [sic] hospital
British military horse being discharged from a veterinary hospital in France, during World War I. At the start of World War I in August 1914, cavalry units were still considered the elite troops they had always... More
One of the enemy who was killed by Canadian Cavalry a few minutes befo...
Dead German soldier, Western Front, during World War I. This photograph shows a dead German soldier crumpled into the shallow pit in which he had been sheltering. Beside him stands a Canadian soldier, identifia... More
Scene on the road to the trenches
A row of soldiers wearing helmets and their equipment on their backs are sitting on the embankment at the side of the road. This has been formed by clearing dirt and debris out of the way. They are allowing tea... More
Scene on the Amiens-St Quentin Road
Cavalrymen pausing for a rest on the Amiens to St Quentin Road. It is very difficult to distinguish the road from the surrounding landscape due to the devastation. The trees lining the road are splintered and l... More
Chargers during World War I
Two New Zealand officers of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps are taking part in a horse show. They are showing their personal horses, or chargers, which appear to be heavy thoroughbreds. The horses hav... More
Cavalry passing over a temporary bridge built by our troops to replace...
A troop of cavalry in single file crossing a fairly makeshift wooden bridge. The ruins of the iron and stonework of the original bridge can be seen in the water. Bridges were commonly destroyed in order to dela... More
Colonel crossing the river during World War I
Members of the British Cavalry, including a Colonel, crossing a river by boat during World War I. They are there to watch a swimming competition. The boat they are being transported across the river in is rathe... More
Busy scene of shoeing horses in France
Most of the men in this busy, busy scene are totally engrossed in their tasks and as a result are oblivious of the camera. This makes it quite an interesting shot to look at as none of the people are artificial... More
Cloth Hall at Ypres again the centre of interest, Flanders
Destruction at Ypres, France, during World War I. The ruins of a church dominate the picture. In front of this a road runs between the rubble. Two cavalrymen and a vehicle travel down the road while three soldi... More
Eastern scene by the roadside during World War I
Indian cavalrymen playing cards, France, during World War I . A group of soldiers from the Indian Army are standing watching four of their friends playing cards on a wooden crate. One of the card players is wea... More
Royal Scots Greys watering horses in France
Cavalrymen are sitting bareback on their horses in a river, allowing the horses to drink. The horses have been unsaddled and are only held by neck collars. Several of the men have extra horses on lead ropes. Ot... More
Halting to refresh the horses in a stream
This is a rather unusual photograph, in that it is not clear if these mounted soldiers actually belong to a cavalry regiment. With their infantry rifles and full kit, they look more like infantry soldiers on ho... More
Riding through a stream during World War I
Two British soldiers riding a team of pack-horses through a quite deep stream. The soldier in the foreground can be seen tightly clutching the reins for a number of horses, most of which are very heavily laden.... More
Royal Scots Greys in France during World War I
Royal Scots Greys practising a charge, France, during World War I. This photograph shows the Royal Scots Greys practising a cavalry charge in a grassy field. The officer is riding in front with his arm raised t... More
Cavalry waiting for the order to move up
Ten soldiers are sitting in a curve on the top of a hollow. They are fully equipped and armed, wearing heavy trench coats and helmets. They look relaxed but no-one is smiling. Their horses are lined up behind t... More
Cavalry Officers in their bivouacs behind the line
As this image contains eight cavalry officers, the photographer - John Warwick Brooke - was very much capturing a part of the army that was rapidly becoming defunct, as the sudden move to mechanised warfare too... More
R.A.F. man wishing good luck to a French cavalryman on their way to co...
A member of the Royal Air Force shakes hands with a French cavalryman in France during World War I. ..[Original reads: 'OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPH TAKEN ON THE BRITISH WESTERN FRONT IN FRANCE - Good Luck Friend! An R.... More
C.O. of the Royal Scots Greys with his staff
Seven cavalry officers are riding down a road through very flat countryside. There is a windmill in the background. The men are riding in a very relaxed manner. At their head is their commanding officer. The re... More
Pumping up water for horses during World War I
Indian Army cavalrymen pumping water, France, during World War I. In the foreground of this photograph are two Indian Army cavalrymen using a small hand pump to raise water out of a stream and through hoses up ... More
British cavalry on the move during World War I
Members of the British Cavalry moving through a field or battleground. They can be seen far into the distance. In the foreground there is a trench, which according to the existing caption has been captured from... More
Judging a police turnout during World War I
Horse show behind the Front Line during World War I. A sturdy hunter-type horse stands facing to the left. His rider is in full military attire and sits tall and proud on his horse. The judge stands at the back... More
Cavalry grazing horses during World War I
There is a paddock enclosed by a short, crude fence in the middle of the photograph. This butts up against a narrow river which has a fast flowing weir further up its banks. There are five soldiers sitting, rel... More
Officers of the regiment watching the sports
Five British Cavalry officers sitting on a river bank. They are spectators at a swimming event, during World War I. Four of them have noticed the photographer and are looking over their shoulders directly into ... More
They take a great pride in the appearance of their horses, and this ma...
Indian cavalryman with his horse, France, during World War I. This photograph shows a member of the Indian Army cavalry standing, holding a grey horse by the head collar. The man is wearing a dark turban, crava... More
Judges comparing notes during World War I
Three judges compare notes at a horse show behind the Front Line, during World War I. A full-body shot of three men, the two on the right are examining a piece of paper intently. The man on the left looks into ... More
Taking up ammunition along the very muddy roads, Flanders
Members of the cavalry transporting ammunition. This image shows members of the cavalry, with their horses, wading through an extremely muddy and slippery field. The horses are laden down with ammunition, and t... More
Indian Cavalry on the move during World War I
Members of the Indian Cavalry make their way up a hillside, passed two soldiers travelling on foot. The cavalrymen are distinguishable by the turbans they are wearing, in place of helmets, and the spears they a... More
Filling an Indian pot with water from the cart
Indian Army cavalrymen at water cart, France, during World War I. This image shows cavalrymen from the Indian Army getting water from a water cart. The men are wearing dark coloured turbans, most have short jac... More
Some Cavalry officers in rest billets
Officers sit round a table in their rest billets. They all look happy and relaxed as they pose for the camera. On the table in front of them are bottles of alcohol. There are two maps pinned up on the wall behi... More
Cavalry passing through a wrecked village
A line of cavalry walking through a ruined village. Each horse has a halter around its neck. When cavalrymen had to fight on foot, one man of every four had to stay back, holding four horses. As one young caval... More
Group of Officers of the 12th, 25th, 6th and 16th Infantry as Well as ...
LIBI_00030_00779; An albumen photograph (mounted on brittle card), a group of officers on a target range. The cap devices indicate members of 12th, 25th, 6th, 16th infantries, as well as the 7th, 5th cavalries.... More