Messenger dogs with their keepers going across country up to the front...
Messenger dogs and their handlers marching to the Front, in France, during World War I. Straining at the leash, these messenger dogs and their keepers are apparently on their way to the front line trenches. In ... More
Picture was taken within a 100 yards of the enemy
The photographer, thought to be John Warwick Brooke, took this photograph very near to the enemy, during an attack, but the atmosphere is calm. A French armoured car is ready to give covering fire for British t... More
Dragons ready for the dragon fight
Troops watching Chinese dragon ceremonies, Western Front, France, during World War I. This shows some members of the Chinese Labour Corps carrying two huge paper dragons with large decorated heads and long snak... 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
Gunner writing a letter home, Flanders
A man sits on some rough wooden planks, next to a pile of sandbags, and smokes a pipe as he concentrates on writing. In the background another man, also busy writing, has noticed the photographer and pauses to ... More
Locomotive abandoned in front of Thiepval
This photograph is from a French postcard printed in Paris. It shows the ruined village of Thiepval, in the northern Somme area. Two soldiers, possibly French, are looking at an abandoned engine which may have ... More
Balmorals entertainment troupe of a Scottish division, Flanders
Five men, dressed in clown costumes, are standing in a half circle around a chair. There is another man sitting on the chair this time in a dress and high-healed shoes. They are in a fenced enclosure in what ap... More
Effect of shell fire, Flanders during World War I
Signal box in ruins, Western Front, during World War I. Two soldiers digging out the rubble of a railway signal box. As the original caption notes, the levers and chains of the mechanism remain intact. It would... More
Huge stack of provisions being loaded into trains, Flanders
Loading food supplies on a train, Western Front, during World War I. This photograph shows men loading crates of food into a train. One man is standing on a huge stack of crates, sliding boxes down a makeshift ... More
Gas sentry writes a field postcard to his folks at home
A soldier on sentry duty beside a ruined building is leaning against the wall writing a card. There is a notice saying 'Gas Alert' nailed on the wall of the building. Clearly there is no immediate danger of gas... More
Funeral of Major General Ugo Bagnani, Italian Army who died on the 7th...
A walkway lined with uniformed troops is being traversed by pall-bearers and a coffin. The coffin is draped with a flag and most of the troops have bowed heads. The snowy churchyard and two elderly civilians ar... More
Gunners round a captured German gun, Flanders
Gunners sitting behind a captured big gun. They are all aware of the photographer, most likely John Warwick Brooke, and are looking towards him. The men are in uniform and most are wearing steel helmets. Often ... More
French armoured car supporting our men in a combined attack
This photograph shows a French armoured car in a road. The French gunner is in position, while his companion is on the watch for enemy movement. Two other French soldiers stand behind the car and a group of Bri... More
View of Quant where we broke the Hindenburg Line, Flanders
The village of Quant, France: the road that runs through the village is bordered on both sides by ruined buildings. Any walls that remain standing are being supported by wooden logs. Most of the damage, however... More
Presentation of the Military Medal by General Plumer to nurses for the...
General Plumer presenting medals, France, during World War I. This image shows General Plumer pinning the Military Medal to a nurse's cape. There are a further three nurses standing in line awaiting this honour... More
General view of Montauban, Flanders
It is unclear whether this is actually Montauban itself, or whether the sign which states 'Montauban' is merely indicating that the village is close by. The road seen here is bordered by grass verges littered w... More
German trophies from Vimy Ridge and Messines
Numerous and various pieces of German memorabilia, such as signs, helmets, weapons and ammunition, have all been artistically pinned to a wall above a fire and surround. ..It was common for advancing armies to ... More
Making a new railway track, Flanders
Laying new railway lines, France. Individual gangs of men are laying new railway sleepers alongside four existing lines. A man is crossing the line to pick up more sleepers from a large pile on the right of the... More
Fine cut by a Maori, New Zealand
A Maori lumberman stands next to a newly felled tree. He is posing for the camera with his axe resting on the tree stump. In this snow-covered woodland, the only protection he has against the cold is a woollen ... More
Refugees on the road back during World War I
This photograph shows a long line of refugees extending far back along the road to the left. They are accompanied by French troops. There are few men among the civilians. In German-occupied areas some men were ... More
Free coffee and biscuits any time day or night, Flanders
Soldiers standing by a roadside. They are outside a makeshift coffee stall, and most of the men in the photograph are drinking out of metal cups. The group also includes three men sitting on their horses. Anoth... 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
Wet weather cannot damp Tommy's sense of humour perhaps, Flanders
Close-up of a sign posted in a camp. A line of straggly trees frame the horizon, and the field stretched out in front of them is a muddy bog. To the left behind the sign is a large mound, the contents of which ... More
Fransk propagandabild från första världskriget.
French propaganda image from the First World War. Public domain photograph related to Swedish military, army, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Scene on a canal, Flanders during World War I
Three soldiers are sitting astride a fallen tree overhanging a canal. They are wrapping barbed wire around it, probably to stop it being used as cover. The man on the left has the shoulder badge 'RE', of the Ro... More
Mine blown by the Germans under a roadway through a newly captured vil...
The devastation caused by an exploded mine. Perched on the edge of a vast crater are the ruined remains of a church. A few soldiers pick through the debris. Apart from a few buildings that have survived the exp... More
Happy Tommies at the entrance of the shelters they have erected whilst...
This photograph shows a line of men from the Duke of Wellington's Regiment (West Riding), standing in reserve trenches. They have rigged up tarpaulins and branches to make a shelter over the trench, and look ve... More
British tanks going forward to check the German advance, Flanders
The advantages of caterpillar tracks on tanks can be clearly seen here. These four tanks are travelling through a churned up and boggy mess with relative ease. The soldiers travelling on them also look relaxed.... More
Portuguese at the Instructional School
Troops marching in formation down the curve of a short slope to meet their colleagues at the bottom. These troops are lined up in neat rows in the flat basin at the bottom of the hill. In front of the rows a wa... More
H.M. and the King of the Belgians leaving the latter's house
King George V, on the left, and King Albert I of Belgium walking along a brick pathway. The path is bordered by what appears to be sand and sea grass. According to the photograph's original caption, they are ju... More
Cleaning up German trenches at St. Pierre Divion, Flanders
In the foreground a group of British soldiers are sorting through equipment abandoned in the trenches by the Germans when St Pierre Divion was captured. One soldier has three rifles slung on his shoulder, anoth... More
British officers' club in France, Flanders
British officers in France. Officers standing on a lawn outside a grand house. It is a fairly informal and relaxed scene. They are milling around and chatting. In the background there is a small group of servan... More
Anti-aircraft gun in action in the ruins, Flanders
Soldiers appear to have installed an anti-aircraft gun in position beside a large, ruined building. The gun, which is set on an angled mounting, is installed on a flatbed lorry chassis. There are blocks on the ... More
Signal station - using daylight lamp, Flanders
Signal station using a daylight lamp to send messages, during World War I. The signal station shown in this photograph would probably have used an encrypted form of Morse code to transmit messages. The soldier ... More
Nissen hut makes a splendid hospital ward
Inside a Nissen hut converted into a hospital ward. The bowed ceiling is lined with wood and a long rug runs the length of the hut, possibly laid for the benefit of the Queen's visit. Beds line both sides, with... More
Group of our boys on the battlefield, just behind the line
British soldiers posing for the camera. Most of them are sitting on the snow-covered ground. They are all fully armed and equipped. ..Scenes such as this were commonly used as propaganda, intended to boost mora... More
Dinner time on the Ancre, Flanders
Soldiers, apparently near the Front, getting fed from mobile army kitchens. In the background men are lining up for their ration, while in the foreground others are sitting or standing and eating soup or stew f... More
Long white line, Flanders during World War I
A long of line of trucks cross the picture diagonally into the distance. They are driving alongside a high verge on one side which is water-logged at the bottom. On the other side is an open field with grass bo... More
Stripped gunners at work loading a big gun, Flanders
This photograph shows a heavy gun in position, partly camouflaged by trees and netting. Two of the crew are using a small hoist to lift one of the shells onto the gun platform, ready to load. By the end of the ... More
Convalescent British soldiers in France having a rest in a recreation ...
This photograph shows a lot of convalescent soldiers sitting at long tables which extend the length of the recreation hut. They are reading and writing letters. There have been attempts, presumably by the Red C... More
Distant view of Mametz showing battered German trenches in foreground
German trenches near Mametz, France, during World War I. The picture is dominated by a snaking trench and its surrounding barricades. The trench is a scene of chaos. In the distance the rest of the battlefield ... More
Fixing fuses on Stokes Mortars, Flanders
Eight men, watched by an officer, are setting fuses into Stokes mortar bombs. The man in the centre of the group is displaying one of the mortar bombs and a crate open at his feet is packed with three more. Cra... More
Canadian Corps heavy artillery in action
A Canadian field gun crew bombarding enemy lines. The force of the explosion as the shells are fired is indicated by the cloud of dust surrounding the guns and the recoiling posture of two of the gunners. The s... More
Saluting as the French Band plays the American National Anthem
Uniformed men, possibly members of the American Expeditionary Force, salute as the American national anthem is played. They have probably just arrived in France and are standing on board a boat. The American Ex... More
South African munition workers during World War I
Officers and South African civilians, during World War I. Two civilians sit in the back of the car and two officers sit in the front. Another officer stands behind the car while two other civilians stand in fro... More
Australians resting on their way to the front line
Soldiers lying toe-to-toe into the ditch beside a road. There are still vehicles driving up and down the road. The soldiers are all still wearing their equipment. Most of them look relaxed but no-one is smiling... More
Building an extension to their workshops, Flanders
Group of female carpenters. According to the existing caption, they are building an extension to a workshop. They are in the process of building the frame and are surrounded by planks of wood. A number of the w... More
Scene at a big gun park, Flanders
A number of big guns 'parked' on a wooden platform in the middle of a field. A group of men are inspecting them. In the corner of the field there are more guns, covered with tarpaulins. The surrounding countrys... More
Men of the Machine Gun Corps at drill, Flanders
Machine gunners. They are being drilled in the use of their machine guns. Whilst some of the men practise firing, with two men to each machine gun, the rest stand behind awaiting their turn. All of the men are ... More
Highlanders having a rest on their way from the trenches
This photograph shows a group of kilted soldiers from one of the Highland Regiments. The men are resting, leaning against the wall of a large shell-damaged building. Their relief at getting away from the trench... More
Lewis gun's crew ready in the front line during an actual gas attack
This photograph was taken at ground level from a bend in a trench. The trench itself is shallow and quite wide. It is also free from wet mud at the moment. The top of a line of trees further down the hill can b... More
Inspection of the Guards by H.R.H. the Duke of Connaught
The Duke of Connaught waiting to inspect troops as they march past. The long line of troops is being led by a small band of pipers and drummers. The Duke of Connaught is sitting on his horse at the side of the ... More
Bullets from a German anti-tank rifle and a British rifle, France, dur...
The bullet on the left is taken from a Lee-Enfield rifle, while the bullet on the right is from a German anti-tank rifle. The Lee-Enfield rifle was a general weapon that was used by virtually all British infant... More
View of Merville Church which town we again hold, Flanders
Merville Church after being bombed or shelled. The area around the church is covered with large piles of rubble and masonry. The parts that remain standing, including a section of the steeple, look rather preca... More
Signaller with his instruments makes himself a comfortable seat in an ...
This photograph shows a signaller using an old wooden tub as a seat. Beside him, he has his field telephone, the wire of which can just be seen. At the beginning of the war, the wires were laid on the surface, ... More
Three of the funny men who greatly amuse the men from the trenches
Three actors are posing at the front of the composition and looking into the camera. The character on the left has a painted face. The gentleman in the middle is wearing 'civvies' and his companion on the right... More
Well known football team in France, Flanders
Football team in France during World War I. They are standing in three rows and posing for the camera. Two men in uniform stand beside them. The players are wearing their football strips. The ball has been plac... More
Searching for water holes in the ice, Flanders
Royal Engineer looking for water, Western Front, during World War I. The original caption identifies this man as a Royal Engineer, although in the photograph he is wearing a woolly hat and does not look very mi... More
Two little girls that only just escaped death by a few yards
A soldier walking along a road with two little girls. He is holding their hands in a protective manner. Both of the girls have been given steel helmets to wear. They are both looking into the camera. The soldie... More
Captured German front line trench before Gommecourt, Flanders
A captured German front-line trench, with a complex system of dugouts and pathways. The walls of the trench are reinforced with posts, wooden planks and interwoven branches. The surrounding landscape is bleak a... More
Two South Africans during World War I
Two soldiers in the snow sharing a match, during World War I. This pretty, picturesque image belies the harshness of the conditions faced by front line troops during the winter months. There is a statuesque far... More
King of Belgium crossing No Man's Land in the newly captured territory
King Albert crossing no man's land, during World War I. King Albert is standing on a duckboard bridge across a very deep ditch while another man is starting to follow behind him. The field around him is very hi... More
Open air cookery near Miraumont-le-Grand, Flanders
Officers cooking, Western Front, during World War I. Four officers seated on chairs around a brazier. One of the men is cooking in a steel helmet on the brazier. The rather formal middle-class dining chairs are... 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
Ration party coming out of a communication trench, having distributed ...
This image was most likely taken by the British official photographer, John Warwick Brooke. It shows a ration party moving through a communication trench in single file. Some of the men are carrying trays of su... More
H.M. watching a trench mortar bombardment
King George V and his entourage watching a trench mortar bombardment. They are all in uniform and are standing with their backs to the camera. The King is most likely the figure standing in front, furthest from... More
H.M. the King of Montenegro watches an aeroplane flight
King Nikola I Petrovich of Montenegro (1860-1918) has been photographed by John Warwick Brooke standing with two officers beside a small fighter plane. The pilot stands near the propeller. Another group of men ... More
R.E. diver descending to the bottom of a Canal in France to repair the...
This image shows a diver climbing down a ladder into the water. He is wearing a heavy diving suit with the air supply controlled through two large hoses which are being held by a soldier standing on the jetty. ... More
Plucky sisters on British ambulance train in France who are near enoug...
This photograph has a rather formal and stilted feel to it. The women dont seem relaxed and their positions do not look natural. It was most likely that this photograph was taken with a propaganda purpose in mi... More
Front view of a tank coming out of action, Flanders
Front of a tank. According to the photograph's original caption it is returning from a battle. The caterpillar tracks are caked in mud from the battlefield. There are two viewing holes at the front of the tank ... More
Sentry in the front line in the Ypres salient, Flanders
This photograph shows a solitary sentry in a trench, beside a ruined corrugated iron Nissen hut. The original caption places this in the Ypres Salient, a bulge in the Allied front line around the town of Ypres.... More
Artillerymen carrying shells to the gun through the snow, Flanders
Despite the appalling weather conditions, the job of carrying artillery shells to feed the hungry guns continued apace. The only positive factor about adverse weather conditions such as this were that they ofte... 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
Two joking soldiers closely inspecting a container, Flanders
Two soldiers, standing on whalebone-like sheets of corrugated iron, inspecting a container that previously held alcohol. The second image in a pair, the first photograph shows the soldier on the right drinking ... More
Temporary bridge over the Somme built by our troops, Flanders
A temporary bridge built over the River Somme. Using wooden planks and a fairly complex system of ropes, the soldiers have managed to build a sturdy bridge. A group of soldiers, fully armed and equipped, are mo... More
British advance in the west, Flanders
soldiers stand next to a large gun, on an extremely muddy road. A vehicle, possibly for pulling the gun, stands just off to the right. The scene also includes a few men on bicycles in the foreground, and a lon... More
Street in Amiens during World War I
Immediate aftermath of shelling in Amiens, France, during World War I. This shot captures some of the impact that shelling had on the towns of France and their people. Thick smoke rising in the background sugg... More
Captured Boche plane on its way to one of our aviation depots
Six uniformed men in overcoats sit on the edge of a trailer. Strapped to the trailer is a captured German aeroplane, painted with the number '8'. The wings have either been detached for transporting or damaged ... More
Officers resting in corner on wrecked building, Flanders
Three officers are sitting amongst the rubble of a ruined building. All three men are smoking cigarettes and look fairly relaxed. In front of them there is a belt of bullets lying amidst the debris. .. Although... More
Bringing a field gun into action alongside a ruined cottage
An artillery team are pulling a field gun out of a yard beside a ruined brick-built cottage. The gun has been painted with mottled camouflage. Military use of camouflage developed during World War I. The French... More
More 'pills' for the Boche, Flanders
Two uniformed men inspect a stockpile of shells. The shells are stacked in large bundles and cradled in large strips of corrugated iron. In the background a number of dugouts or stores are visible, the entrance... More
Tysk propagandabild från första världskriget.
German propaganda print from the First World War. Public domain photograph related to Swedish military, army, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
Bell in a German trench near Grande Bois, Flanders
There is a large engraved bell lying on its side, surrounded by the wooden structure that once supported it. It is decorated with classical figures and some text, which unfortunately is not legible in this phot... More
Fixing the cover for the engine, Flanders
Soldiers working on the framework of a roof to cover a steam traction engine, which is used in an open-air sawmill. Though the photographs original caption does not say what this cover is for, it could be eithe... More
Our men going up with coils of wire for lining up new positions
Four men with coils of wire or cable make their way along a duckboard path. They are moving across extremely rough and uneven ground. The wire they are carrying has been rolled onto large reels attached to a sh... More
Shell bursting on front line trench, Flanders
Shell exploding at the Front, France. It can be seen in the distance, through rows of barbed wire stretching across no-man's-land. The ground is snow covered. ..Whilst many images were deliberately taken as pro... More
Few kilometres behind our line, Flanders
A convoy of soldiers and horse-drawn carts moving through a ruined French town or village. The surrounding scene is one of devastation. The ground is muddy and strewn with debris. The church in the background h... More
Thoughts of home, Flanders during World War I
This rather evocative photograph shows a single British soldier sitting on a wheelbarrow, apparently lost in his thoughts, while horse transports move along the road behind him. For the ordinary soldier, moment... More
Tysk propagandabild från första världskriget.
German propaganda print from the First World War. Public domain photograph related to Swedish military, army, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description
H.M. presenting decorations - Public domain photogrpaph
King George V pinning a decoration to the jacket of a uniformed man. They are standing outside a building on a gravel drive. The decorations have been placed on a small table to the left of the King. One man is... More
Air raid damage done at one of the hospitals of the St. John's Ambulan...
A wooden hut has its sides and roof blown out. The beds and linen contained within have been strewn about the room in a jumbled mess. There is a patient sitting on one of the beds and in the background a group ... More
Prince of Wales inspecting a battalion in France
This image shows the Prince of Wales taking part in the inspection of a battalion. The troops behind him are all standing to attention, with their rifles propped over their left shoulders. Although there to ins... More
Laying a light railway on which logs will be brought to the mill
Soldiers constructing a light railway line for transporting logs to a sawmill. In the background a soldier can be seen pushing a wagon to test out the new track. This photograph, probably taken by John Warwick ... 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
Officer writing home, Flanders during World War I
Sitting on some sandbags and surrounded by scattered debris, this officer is writing a letter home. He is wearing puttees (protective leggings) over his lower legs...Mail to and from home was strictly censored ... More
Captured German dugout, Flanders
A huge mound of earth and branches held up by supporting stakes. There is a gap in the centre of the mound which is roofed over with pieces of corrugated scrap. In this space three dwarfed soldiers are visible.... More
German dead in a captured trench
Dead German soldier, during World War I. The trench is vividly portrayed in the front of this photograph with no-man's land in the distance. The trench is a scene of chaos and debris. In the middle of the pictu... More
Once a Boche O.P. in a tree, Flanders
There are soldiers' heads and helmets in the bottom right corner which gives the image scale. Above their heads is a mud banking which is covered in twigs and trunks. It is a bit of a jumbled mess. Towering ove... More
Georges Clemenceau and General Sir H. Rawlinson walking through the ma...
French President, Georges Clemenceau, and General Sir Henry Rawlinson, France. Three rows of troops are lined up for inspection beside a row of blown out and collapsed houses. In front of them walk a line of of... More
Y.M.C.A. car full of beauty, Flanders
Four women are sitting in a vintage car with another woman sitting behind the wheel. The women are all well dressed with jackets and hats and are looking at the camera. They seem relaxed but only three of them ... More