Ovillers Collection

Battle of the Somme, British machine gunners wearing gas helmets near Ovillers in July 1916

WW1 - Battle of the Somme - machine gunners wearing gas helmets near Ovillers - July 1916

Lewis gun near Ovillers, July 1916, Battle of the Somme

WW1 Battle of the Somme - Lewis gun in action in front line trench near Ovillers, France - July 1916

A dugout at Ovilliers, by Richard Carline, WW1
A dugout at Ovilliers, by Richard Carline, Somme area, First World War. 1918

A view of a British trench, Ovillers, France, World War I, 1916. Men of the 11th Battalion, the Cheshire Regiment, during the Battle of the Somme

The front line at Ovillers, Battle of the Somme, Picardy, France, July 1916 (1935). From A Concise History of the World, introduction by Sir John AR Marriott (Associated Newspapers Ltd, 1935)

British soldiers in captured German trench, WW1
British soldiers in captured German trench at Ovillers la Boiselle, Somme, France, WW1. 1914-1918

Christmas and New Year Greetings card from XII Division
Christmas 1916 and New Year 1917 Greetings card from the XII Division. Hohenzollern, Quarries, Ovillers, Loos, Somme. Commemorative Art

Christmas and New Year card - XII Division, 1917-1918. Loos, Quarries, Hohenzollern, Somme, Ovillers, Pozieres, Arras, Monchy. Commemorative Art

British soldier with birdcages, Western Front, WW1
A British soldier finds birdcages in the ruins of Ovillers, on the Western Front in France (Somme) during World War One. Date: circa 1916

British troops digging trench, Ovillers, Western Front, WW1
Men of a Worcestershire regiment digging a communication trench near Ovillers, on the Western Front in France (Somme) during World War One. Date: circa 1916

British trench near Ovillers, Western Front, WW1
A British fire trench near Ovillers, on the Western Front in France (Somme) during World War One. In the trench are men of a Worcestershire regiment. Date: circa 1916

Two British machine gunners, Battle of the Somme, WW1
Two British machine gunners near Ovillers during the Battle of the Somme, northern France, during the First World War. They are using a Vickers Gun and wearing their gas helmets. Date: July 1916

Post Office Telegraphs: Official war news
Official war news detailing British, French and Russian advances on 30th July 1916. The British forces are reported to have repulsed enemy attempts to recapture Selville Wood

Machine gunners 1916
British machine gunners using a Vickers Gun and wearing their gas masks, near Ovillers during the Battle of the Somme

A damaged German trench near the French village of Ovillers-
Photograph of a German trench near the French village of Ovillers-la-Boiselle, damaged by Allied artillery bombardment and later captured by the British army

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"Ovillers: Witnessing the Valor and Sacrifice of British Machine Gunners in the Battle of the Somme" In July 1916, amidst the relentless chaos of World War I's Battle of the Somme, a significant chapter unfolded near Ovillers. Here, British machine gunners donned their uniforms with unwavering determination, ready to face an unforgiving enemy. Lewis guns became their steadfast companions as they braved the treacherous front lines. The deafening roar echoed through Ovillers as these courageous soldiers unleashed their firepower upon adversaries who threatened their homeland. Richard Carline's poignant artwork captures a moment frozen in time—a dugout at Ovilliers—reminding us of both resilience and vulnerability experienced by those who fought on this hallowed ground. A view into a British trench reveals not only its strategic importance but also serves as a testament to the fortitude displayed by troops stationed there during 1916. The front line at Ovillers stands etched in history—an indelible mark left by brave souls who faced unimaginable horrors for freedom's cause. In 1935, an evocative image immortalized this battlefield where countless lives were forever changed. Amongst captured German trenches, Christmas and New Year Greetings cards from XII Division brought solace and camaraderie amid bleak surroundings. These small tokens served as reminders that even amidst conflict, humanity persevered. Amidst such desolation, glimpses of hope emerged—a British soldier caring for birdcages symbolizing life beyond war's grasp. It was these moments that kept spirits alive amidst adversity—the reminder that beauty still existed despite all odds. Through blood-soaked soil and endless toil, British troops tirelessly dug trenches in Ovillers along Western Front during World War I. Their tireless efforts ensured some semblance of safety within this tumultuous landscape—a testament to their unwavering commitment.