King & Queen and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales
King George V, Queen Mary and H.R.H. The Prince of Wales, taken during a visit to the Western Front in France. They are positioned in front of a large brick building with French windows. The King and Queen are ... More
How the Germans thought they would stop the British advance
What is left of a mined roadway. It appears in the foreground as a huge crater. There is a soldier standing to the left, with a bicycle, providing us with a scale for the size of the crater. In the background t... More
Prince of Siam visiting the British front
The Prince of Siam standing next to a group of high ranking military officials. According to the photograph's original caption they are visiting a trench mortar school. They are standing next to a trench. The t... More
His Eminence inspecting the Dublin Fusiliers Brigade
Cardinal Bourne inspecting the Dublin Fusiliers Brigade. The inspection is taking place in a large grassy field. The men are lined up smartly in their ranks, with the officers standing at the front. All of the ... More
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
Wood on its way up country, Flanders
Wood being transported by railway, France. A long line of railway compartments, each piled high with lumber. The track runs alongside a cobbled road. In the background there are a number of cranes. ..Sawmills w... More
Firing into the advancing Germans whilst holding a bridgehead, Flander...
This photograph shows two soldiers sheltering behind a bank. One is firing his rifle, while the other, a corporal, is watching. The caption suggests they were firing to stop Germans advancing over a bridge, whi... More
Idea of the strength of the German barbed wire at Beaucourt
Front line trenches on both sides of the Western Front were guarded by belts of barbed wire. The dilemma facing the attacking soldiers was how to cut through such barbed wire defences while under heavy machine-... More
Cooking dinner amid the ruins of Thilloy, near Bapaume, Flanders
Two soldiers making themselves comfortable in the ruins of a shattered house. One man is cooking on a tin-can brazier, while the other stands watching and smoking. Their kit is hung on the wall behind. A third ... More
Preparing to make a pontoon bridge, Flanders
Early stage in making a pontoon bridge, Western Front, during World War I. The first stage of making a pontoon, or temporary floating bridge. A group of soldiers are pulling a flat barge into position at the ed... More
Spanish Officers see a general view of the shell-pocked ground
Spanish officers visit the Western Front, during World War I. Six men make their way down a fairly steep but not long slope, towards a churned up, muddy stretch of land. The ground is filled with shell holes, i... More
General Sir Henry Rawlinson (left) chats with a French War Corresponde...
General Henry Rawlinson with a French war correspondent. Three men stand in a half-circle, chatting. They appear relaxed and smiling. They are well dressed with heavy coats but also mud bespattered. The town sq... More
Scene in the saw mills, Flanders
Sawmill at the Front. The picture is taken from inside a shed, which is in a field close to a forest. The furthest part of the shed, also the entrance is, open to the elements. The covered part of the shed is a... More
Tommies at dinner, Flanders during World War I
This relaxed photograph is thought to have been taken by the official war photographer, John Warwick Brooke. The soldiers in this image appear a little worse for wear and are having to sit directly on the cold ... More
Some officers studying a map of newly captured ground, Flanders
Officers examining a map, Western Front, during World War I. Five officers gathered around a map. Some of the men are using shovels to sit on, as if they were shooting sticks. The cap and collar badges of three... More
Within 100 yards of Thiepval Village, Flanders
Two soldiers with their backs to the camera, are leaning up against the incline of the trench. The bottom of the trench is quite narrow and their equipment is lying to hand. They are peering over the top of the... More
Loading of sleepers, Flanders during World War I
A truck has been reversed off the road up against a large stack of logs. Duckboards have been laid down so that the truck can safely negotiate the terrain. The truck is labelled 39426 and has 'load exceed 3 ton... More
Few German prisoners being questioned
Prisoners of War, Western Front, during World War I. German prisoners being questioned by British officers. The prisoners appear to have been given bread rations, possibly for the purposes of the photograph. Th... More
Photographs of Haig - Public domain portrait photograph
Photographs showing Field Marshall Earl Haig...digital.nls.uk/75201623 ( http://digital.nls.uk/75201623 )
Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig talking to a Sergt. Major of the Gordon...
General Haig and the Gordon Highlanders' guard of honour, during World War I. Down the left half of the photograph are two long rows of soldiers for as far as the eye can see. They are standing at an angle to t... More
H.M. leaving an observation post on Vimy Ridge
A corrugated iron shed is built into an embankment of loose dirt. The surroundings in fact are dominated by dark, loose mud, interspersed with some low-lying shrubs. This creates quite a barren and bleak atmosp... 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
Two Generals discussing a plan of defence in a trench
Two officers, identifiable as generals by their shoulder insignia and collar braid, are sitting in a trench, looking at a map. Two junior officers await their orders. There were regular briefings of officers. U... More
Boiling cookers of tea for our wounded just behind the line
The odd contraptions along the front of the picture are for boiling water. Mass production was required to deal with the volume of men. The soldiers dealing with the boilers are wearing ordinary uniforms, but w... More
Muddy road, Flanders during World War I
Soldiers on the move, France, during World War I. The stripped and scarred landscape is depicted in the background. Along the front of the photograph six soldiers are walking, fully equipped and laden with supp... More
Wise old owl lived in an oak during World War I
Station platform, near Amiens, France, during World War I. Two unidentified men on a station platform. One appears to have a British Army greatcoat and an officer's cap, although he is wearing civilian trouser... More
One of the new armoured cars, Flanders
Nicknamed the 'mechanical monsters, this photograph shows a British tank flanked by infantry soldiers, mules and horses. World War I has a notorious reputation for being the conflict that introduced the modern ... More
Tea time just behind the line, Flanders
This image shows a group of British soldiers having a cup of tea. They are all in full uniform and look as if they are just pausing for a rest. Their rifles have been put to one side. They could be in a trench... More
King and the President of France
State occasion between France and Great Britain, during World War I. This shot has no attributed photographer. Despite the seriousness and etiquette required of this ceremonial situation, both men appear rather... More
Framed in the ruins of Villers Carbonne, Flanders
Ruins in Villers Carbonnel, Ancre region, France, during World War I. An Allied soldier looking out through the empty window frame of a shattered house. The building had been constructed of clay daub on a frame... More
Artillery transport crossing a trench bridge, Flanders
The six horses and their four riders are straining against the inertia and weight of a fully-laden carriage. The bridge they are crossing is not only downhill, but looks fairly slippery with mud. There is evide... More
Regimental pet of a battalion of the Staffordshire Regiment, Flanders
Regimental mascot during World War I. A large shaggy dog sits on top of a very well-kept horse. Behind the horse two officers are steadying both animals. There is a long barrack building and tents in the backgr... More
Douglas and Henrietta - Public domain portrait print
Douglas Haig with his sister Mrs Henrietta Jameson...digital.nls.uk/74549690 ( http://digital.nls.uk/74549690 )
Some of the men that took part during World War I
Close up of a number of South African dancers performing a traditional war dance. The three men in front are each wearing a fringed skirt and all are topless. Two of them are carrying shields and all three are ... 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
Highlanders cutting up branches to make fascines for road making
Five Highlanders are working in a wood, making fascines or bundles of branches. Three men in the background appear to be stripping off leaves and side shoots, while two men in the foreground arrange the poles a... More
H.M. conferring the honour of Knighthood on General Currie, Commander ...
King George V conferring General Currie, Commander of the Canadian forces, with the honour of Knighthood. They are standing in a marquee and the King is placing his sword above the Commanders right shoulder. A ... More
Men of the K.O.Y.L.I. resting before walking back from the trenches
a group of soldiers resting in front of a large mound of rubble. They have piled their packs in front of them and most of the men are sitting on a fallen tree trunk. According to the original caption, this phot... More
Scene in Puisieux, Flanders during World War I
Destruction at Puisieux, France. The picture is dominated by the ruined shell of a building which once had iron gates and posts. In front of the building the street is littered with debris and completely water-... More
Tug of War, Flanders during World War I
Game of tug-of-war during a horse show behind the lines, World War I. The tug-of-war teams are surrounded on either side by hundreds of spectators. The two teams are wearing different coloured strips. ..Soldier... More
Slight mishap to one of our machines
British aeroplane near Boesinghe, Belgium. This image shows a British aeroplane in a ditch by the roadside, near Boesinghe. It is impossible to tell from this photograph whether it has crash-landed or has had d... More
Tommies arriving home at Mud Terrace, Flanders
Four soldiers walking towards the camera. The man on the far left is wearing a long overcoat, the other three have waterproof capes. All four are wearing steel helmets. To the left there is a row of tents. It i... More
Partitions for huts made by the lady carpenters are being shifted on t...
A dirt road running along the left of the picture with a narrow grassy bank. Slightly below its level lies the canal. There is a soldier walking along the road and some standing on a deck but the rest of the me... More
All that remains of a sugar refinery near Serre, Flanders
Remains of a sugar refinery at Serre, France, during World War I. A panoramic view of ruined buildings with collapsed machinery interspersed throughout. There are groups of soldiers wandering about just talking... More
Clifton - Public domain portrait print
A photograph of Sir Douglas Haig taken when he was at Clifton College, Bristol? The photograph has 'Clifton' in ink on the back, 'taken in Paris' in pencil, scored through in ink, and 'given to me about 1881-2'... More
Digging out a German gun that was smashed by the fire of our guns
Soldiers attempt to dig a German gun out of the mud. They are all wearing steel helmets and two of them have removed their jackets. The mud is extremely deep and they are using shovels as levers. ..This image h... More
Funeral of Mr Basset. Distinguished dramatist and War Correspondent, F...
At the graveside. A group of uniformed military men stand on the left of the image, at the foot of the grave. The man farthest left appears to be saluting. This photograph has not been very well composed and it... More
Lonely outpost on a canal bank, Flanders
This photograph shows a solitary soldier on watch beside a canal. He has the protection of a few sandbags and some branches, behind which he is crouched with rifle and bayonet...This is evocative of many of the... More
Once Boche land, Flanders during World War I
Officers at a temporary camp. According to the original caption, this area has been recently captured from the Germans. It is unclear from the photograph whether the supplies seen here have been brought in or w... More
Troops passing through a camoflaged trench to obscure the enemy's view
In this photograph two soldiers can be seen walking up steps in a trench. The trench is partly protected from view by camouflage nets. Camouflage became increasingly important during the war as aircraft surveil... More
View of the village of Courcelles
This photograph of Courcelles, near Bapaume, shows shattered buildings on either side of the village street. This photograph is likely to have been taken in the autumn of 1918, after the Allies had recaptured m... More
Nuns at the graveside of Major Willie Redmond, M.P., Flanders
Two nuns standing by a graveside, Locre, Belgium, during World War I. Two nuns and three young girls dressed in black stand with their heads bowed at the graveside of Major William Redmond M.P. The grave has be... More
Moving back our heavy guns as the enemy advances, Flanders
This photograph shows a large tank pulling two carriages carrying large guns. The carriages are also heavily laden with British soldiers, of all ranks. Some men walk on ahead. It is a sunny day and all the men ... More
Portuguese infantry resting during World War I
There is a group of soldiers half lying on the dirt in the middle of the image. They are all wearing dusty looking uniforms and tin helmets. They have not taken the rest of their equipment off either. They are ... More
Fine advertisement, isn't it?, Flanders
A group of Royal Artillery, identifiable by their grenade collar badges. They are posed in a group photograph, sitting on two large shells which are painted with the words 'RMA' and 'Guarantee for Peace'. They ... More
Staff Officer explains to the Spanish Officers the construction of a m...
Spanish officers inspecting a trench. Five officers are grouped around the entrance to a half-constructed trench. The structure of the trench is visible. In the background lie frosty puddles...[Original reads: ... More
H.M. talking to General Horne whilst visiting his army area
King George V talking to General Horne. The General is holding a piece of paper, possibly a map, in his left hand. Both men are smartly dressed in military uniform. The King is resting his weight on a cane. Two... More
Padre having a few cheery words with a wounded man whilst he is bought...
A wounded man being transported by light railway. He is lying on a stretcher, placed across an open-sided trolley or cart that runs along the tracks. Painted on the end of the trolley is the number '61.' He has... More
Dressing station, Flanders during World War I
A shed runs down the left of the photograph. The shed is made of sandbags and has a very large opening with no door. The roof is made of a sheet of wood and there are duckboards laid along the front of the shed... More
General view of Arras, showing the Cathedral in the background
This photograph of Arras is believed to have been taken by John Warwick Brooke. It shows the degree of destruction in the town as a result of the war. Of 4,521 houses it is estimated that only 292 were undamage... More
Taken near Zonnebeke during World War I
This shell burst within 10 yards of the photographer .. a vivid effect of an every minute occurrence at the front.' Photograph is of a shell exploding during the Battle of Menin Road. While the main explosion ... More
Waiting to see the Queen during World War I
Red Cross staff waiting to meet Queen Mary, during World War I. This image shows a group of women in uniform posing for the camera with a dog, probably a pet or mascot. Their uniforms suggest they might be Red ... More
Ammunition dumps, Flanders during World War I
The centre of the photograph is dominated by shells stacked two wide and eight high on a pallet. On the far side of the stack soldiers are working hard at packing them into boxes on a carriage. These boxes open... More
![Ruins of the village of Tillay [sic] captured by our troops](https://cache.getarchive.net/Prod/thumb/cdn2/L3RodW1ibmFpbC8xOTE0LzEyLzMxL3J1aW5zLW9mLXRoZS12aWxsYWdlLW9mLXRpbGxheS1zaWMtY2FwdHVyZWQtYnktb3VyLXRyb29wcy0yMDAuanBn/40/40/webp "Ruins of the village of Tillay [sic] captured by our troops")
Ruins of the village of Tillay [sic] captured by our troops
The ruined remains of the village of Tilloy. A large pile of bricks and rubble crowd the foreground. The buildings in the background have been damaged beyond repair. It is a bleak and desolate scene - barely re... More
Highland gas sentry reading a letter from home, Flanders
Soldier reading his letter, during World War I. A kilted soldier is half leaning and half sitting on a muddy embankment. The surroundings are a little disorientating but there may be a dugout on the right of th... More
Old German front line near Beaumont Hamel, Flanders
A soldier making his way over a wooden beam positioned across the top of a trench. He is wearing a steel helmet and carrying a large container. The area on both sides of the trench is covered with barbed wire e... More
Smashed up German trench on Messines Ridge with dead
This is a disturbing image of a destroyed German trench. In the foreground the limp bodies of dead German soldiers lie amidst the rubble. It is difficult to distinguish the soldiers from the chaos around them, ... 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
Canadian captives marching through a town
Captives marching through a town, during World War I. Prisoners taken captive by Canadian soldiers march through a small town. Soldiers and civilians watch from the roadside, as the captives are escorted throug... More
Tommy has just bought a chicken for his Christmas dinner
Soldiers buying a chicken for their Christmas dinner. Three soldiers are standing in front of what appears to be a large farm building. The top half of a split door has been left open and there are piles of sac... More
Canadian heroes buried where they fell on the barbed wire
Makeshift graveyard for Canadian soldiers. This striking and poignant image shows three crudely made crosses standing upright amongst a tangle of barbed wire. At first it is difficult to make out the crucifixes... More
New 5.9 Boche destroyed by our artillery, Flanders
This serene image was captured by the official war photographer, John Warwick Brooke. The landscape looks very beautiful and there is a peaceful atmosphere conveyed in this scene. This could be because the sold... More
Interior of Arras Cathedral, Flanders
This image is dominated by the still standing aisle columns [of Arras Cathedral]. Part of the roof and upper storey is visible but not much else due to the angle of the photograph. A lot of the liming is chippe... More
I'll guess it's hot carrying that lot
Two soldiers stand face-to-face with each other. They are standing on a path at the edge of a formal garden. In the background more paths and wooden buildings are visible. The soldier on the right is informally... More
Gunners setting time fuses, Flanders
Four uniformed men stand next to a wooden table. Rows of large shells have been placed on the table. According to the original caption these men are gunners and are setting fuses. The man on the right is adjust... More
77 mm. guns which were captured by the British during the advance
Eight soldiers are standing grouped around a gun. They are all uniformed and wearing helmets. Three of the soldiers are just standing behind the gun, looking on and chatting amongst themselves. Four soldiers ar... More
Looking at Fricourt and Fricourt Wood, Flanders
Troops resting at Fricourt, France. The front of the picture is dominated by rows of tents and the men milling around them. The men are relaxing or carrying out domestic duties. In the background the rest of th... More
Transport crossing a pontoon bridge, Flanders
Pontoon bridge, France, during World War I. This photograph shows a military transport cart, pulled by two grey horses, crossing a pontoon bridge over a river. The bridge has a slatted timber roadway, supported... More
Three youthful German prisoners of 17 years resting on their way to th...
Three German prisoners of war, during World War I. The photograph focuses on three young-looking prisoners of war. Their clothes are caked in mud and are a mishmash of styles. The soldier on the left still has ... More
This speaks for itself, Flanders
Artillerymen and shells, Western Front, during World War I. Six men of the Royal Artillery, who can be identified by their grenade collar badges. They are sitting behind three very large shells, on each of whic... More
Signalling station, Flanders during World War I
To the left of the picture is a narrow short box structure made from pieces of scrap corrugated iron and blankets. There is an old armchair, writing table and desk sitting outside the structure. Two soldiers ar... More
Captured German gun, Flanders during World War I
The front of the image is dominated by a pile of long, narrow straw baskets down in the bottom right corner. These would probably have held ammunition for safe transportation. To the left of this is a mound of ... More
In front of the main guard in Unter den Linden
Unter den Linden, Berlin, Germany, 1918. Part of Unter den Linden, a large main street in Berlin which held many of the important palaces and buildings of early twentieth-century Berlin. The crowds in this pho... More
General view of Marne valley, Flanders
This is a wide panoramic shot of the valley of the River Marne. It was vital for the Allies to hold the Marne valley, which acted as a line of defence for Paris. The German offensive in the spring of 1918 exten... More
Tommy washing in a shell hole, Flanders
A laughing young soldier who has clearly just washed his hair with the muddy water from a puddle that has collected in the bottom of a shell hole. The light hearted image does not show the reality that the wate... More
Spanish Officers inspecting a heap of captured German hand grenades, m...
Spanish officers inspect captured German weaponry, during World War I. Five officers are standing on ridges in a muddy field. Two are looking at the pool of water they are standing beside while two look off int... More
Infantry passing one of the new armoured cars on their way to the fron...
A tank pulling some sort of carriage, followed by a group of infantrymen. The strange, triangular-shaped canopy of netting on top of the tank is probably for camouflaging purposes...The soldiers in this photogr... More
Wiring parties going up to the front line after heavy rain
A wiring party making their way along a very wet and muddy road. They are all wearing steel helmets and carrying rifles. Three of the men are rolling large rolls of wire along the road. Two of the men in the di... More
Near Peronne, Flanders during World War I
Soldiers and horses in the street. Three soldiers are standing around two horses, whilst another soldier is sitting on one of the horses. One of the soldiers is putting a cap on the horse's head. In the backgro... More
View of Wytschaete during World War I
Soldiers walking through a devastated landscape. All of the men are in uniform, and are carrying arms and equipment. A small group of soldiers, surrounded by rifles and packs, have paused for a rest. The entir... 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
Field kitchen and Tommies resting, Flanders
This photograph illustrates the saying that 'an army marches on its stomach'. The mobile field kitchen can be seen on the right of the image with its supply wagons. The two horses in the background suggest it w... More
Repairing one of our guns for use in the continued advance
Howitzer is suspended from a hoist having just been lifted off its wooden platform. Six soldiers are straining at a lever under one of its wheels while another two are hauling on the guide chains. ..The Battle ... 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
Captured German aeroplane, Flanders
A wingless German aeroplane is loaded on to a trailer and strapped down. It still has its original painted insignia and number. Two soldiers are standing behind the plane inspecting it. ..Scenes such as this we... More
Wreckage in a churchyard in Thilloy, near Bapaume, Flanders
Scene in Thilloy, France, during World War I. This image shows a churchyard in Thilloy, near Bapaume. It has been badly bombed or shelled. There is little left of the church itself. A few graves can be seen amo... More
Troops resting during the advance near Peronne, Flanders
Troops resting at Peronne, France, during World War I. Soldiers are all lying down or slouching against the bottom of a mound of rubble. They are all fully equipped and armed. Most of them appear to be asleep. ... More
Washing as Mother does it, Flanders
a soldier in his shirtsleeves, leaning over a makeshift tub filled with water. As he scrubs his clothes on a washboard, he is looking up at the camera and smiling. Existing in the squalor of the trenches, soldi... More
Prisoners coming in, Flanders during World War I
German prisoners, during World War I. German prisoners being taken. One of the soldiers escorting them is armed with a large rifle and bayonet. Despite the armed soldier, they appear to be walking through the f... More