Trenches Collection

Attack of the Ulster Division, 1 July 1916, (c1930). Creator: James Prinsep Beadle
Attack of the Ulster Division, 1 July 1916, (c1930). Scene from the Battle of the Somme in northern France during the First World War

Christmas Truce / 1914 / Ww1
A light of peace in the trenches on Christmas Eve as a German soldier approaches the British lines with a Christmas Tree and small paper lantern

Battle of the Somme 1918
Painting of British soldiers in the trenches at the Battle of the Somme on the Western Front in France during World War I in 1918

Christmas Truce / Photo
British and German soldiers fraternising on Christmas Day abandoning their respective trenches to exchange gifts, play sports and forget the war for one day

Christmas Truce / Soldiers
British and German troops leave their trenches on New Years Day to fraternise in peace in No Mans Land

How Piper Laidlaw won the Victoria Cross on September 25, 1915, (c1920). Creator
How Piper Laidlaw won the Victoria Cross on September 25, 1915, (c1920). Playing the 7th Kings Own Scottish Borderers out of their trenches at the Battle of Loos in the midst of the gas attack

German trench attack WWI
German soldiers attacking out of a trench during World War I

British First Airborne dug in at Arnhem; Second World War, 1
Photograph showing a unit of the British First Airborne Division, in shallow trenches along a road side near Arnhem, September 1944

Rifle Brigade in position, Western Front - WWI
The First Battalion of the British Rifle Brigade in position close to the German trenches under shell fire - WWI. Date: circa 1915

Australian troops in trench, near Armentieres, France, WW1
Troops of the 2nd Australian Division in a front line trench at Croix du Bac, near Armentieres, northern France, during the First World War. Date: 18 May 1916

British Mark IV tank with Tadpole Tail, WW1
British Mark IV tank with Tadpole Tail, introduced in 1917 and used during the latter part of the First World War. The Tadpole Tail was an elongation of the rear horns to increase trench-crossing

Coldstreamers in a Great charge by the guards on the Somme
On 15th September 1916, Guards including the Coldstreamers, Grenadiers and the Irish, captured Martinpuich, formerly in German hands and Courcelette and over 2300 prisoners. 15th September 1916

Aerial combat over trenches during First World War
An aerial combat over the trenches during the First World War

Irish soldier in a trench, Mesopotamia, WW1
A soldier with the Royal Irish Fusiliers (Faugh-a-Ballagh) in a trench in Mesopotamia (now Iraq), teases a Turkish sniper by raising a pith helmet on his rifle during the First World War

Well, if you knows of a better ole, go to it
Ttwo soldiers stuck in a trench, during a battle in World War One. This famous illustration for The Bystander was by Captain Bruce Bairnsfather (1888-1959)

In the Famous Plug Street Wood by Matania
A relief party marching back to the trenches through Ploegstreet Wood (known as Plug Street), south of Ypres. The scarred trees lining the soldiers route bear the scars of shelling

British Soldiers having a cup of tea; First World War, 1916
Photograph showing a group of British soldiers, having a rest and a cup of tea after leaving the front line of trenches; Western Front somewhere in France, 1916

Cheese dish - Bairnsfatherware
Cheese dish with lid made by the Girls of Staffordshire during the Winter of 1917/1918 when the Boys were in the trenches fighting for liberty and civilization

Sikh Troops Digging
Sikh infantry in the British army digging communication trenches and laying cables to connect up advanced positions

Ww1 / Trench / Night Attack
British troops leave their trench positions to make a night attack at Mory, France

Ww1 / Trench / Young Soldier
A young British soldier emerges from shelter in a trench

Waiting in Trenches Wwi
British troops, including a corporal, wait in trenches near Arras for the barrage to lift before moving on

India / Sikh War / Multan
General Courtlands men in the trenches at Mooltan (Multan)

Periscopes in Trenches
With shells bursting overhead and trench mortar ready, Seaforth Highlanders watch through a periscope for the Germans

WW1 - Trench map from a soldiers war diary showing the Somme Battlefield with information gleaned from captured German Prisoners

Soldiers playing cards in the trenches, First World War, c1916, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Soldiers playing cards in the trenches, First World War, c1916, (c1920). An Interval of Peace: British bomb-gun section enjoying a hand at cards while the sentries keep watch through the periscopes

WW1 - Western Front - Highlanders at Longueval, France, 1916
WW1 - Western Front - Battle of Bazentin Ridge (14th-17th July 1916) - A piper of the 7th Seaforth Highlanders leading the troops of the 26th Brigade from the trenches to attack at Longueval on 14th

In the support trench by Bruce Bairnsfather, WW1 cartoon
" Old Bill has practically decided to try to get Private Shinio (the ex-comedy-juggler-and-hand-balancer) transferred to another platoon." The stoicism of Captain Bruce Bairnsfathers

Periscope and All by Gerald C. Hudson, WW1
Humorous cartoon depicting the grimness of life in the trenches. THOMAS (encountering a pal on the surface of a flooded crater): Lor! Enry, ow you did make me jump. I thought you was a submarine

Christmas at the Front - Unpacking the Parcels from Home
A group of British soldiers share the contents of a hamper which has been delivered to them at the Front. A Christmas pudding is held aloft and the scene is of general jollity

Dog and owner reunited in the trenches, France
Private Brown of the North Staffordshires, in the trenches in France, is found by his pet terrier dog which has made its way, alone, from his home in Hammersmith, West London

Battle of the Somme, First World War, July 1916, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Battle of the Somme, First World War, July 1916, (c1920). Map of northern France showing Successive Stages of Advance at the Fricourt Salient...British line in black, Enemy Defences [Germans] in red

WW1 - Catholic Mass in the Trenches at Bienvillers-aux-Bois
WW1 - French troops partake in Catholic Mass in the Trenches at Bienvillers-aux-Bois - August 1915. It was estimated that over 20, 000 priests served in the French army in some capacity

Robin in the trenches, WW1 by Philip Dadd
Sat on the End of my Bayonet like a bloomin Christmas Card, he did. Illustration depicting an incident described by a private soldier, writing home during the winter campaign of 1914-15

First day of the Somme - the roll call after attack
British soldiers in a trench on the first day of the Somme (1 July 1916), lining up for a roll call after the attack. 1916

British terriorials charging at Loos
Illustration by S. Begg showing British troops wearing anti-gas masks charging German trenches of the fortified second line at the Battle of Loos with bombs and bayonets

Xmas Pudding in Trenches
Innovative British soldiers use a German steel helmet as a saucepan for their Christmas pudding

Map showing approximately the area gained on the Thiepval Ridge... 1916, (c1920)
Map showing approximately the area gained on the Thiepval Ridge between September 14 and October 31, 1916, (c1920). The British line in northern France during the Battle of the Somme

Hooded British Territorials charging the German Trenches at Loos, September 25th, 1915, 1916. British troops in gas masks charged German trenches at the Battle of Loos on the Western Front

First line Gurkhas storming and capturing a German trench, World War I, 1914-1918. Artist: Crown
First line Gurkhas storming and capturing a German trench, World War I, 1914-1918. Stereoscopic card. Detail

Where Did That One Go To? by Bruce Bairnsfather
The very first cartoon published in The Bystander by Bruce Bairnsfather (later Captain) of the 1st Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment

Gifts from Germans following the Christmas truce, WW1
British non-commissioned officers pose with gifts and souvenirs given to them by Germans after the informal truce which took place at certain points along the Western Front in December 1914

British soldier bears to the firing line WWI
Double page showing a British private soldier, commonly know as a Tommy, showing a diagram of tools and equipment that he would have carried when marching to the trenches in World War One. 1915

German machine gun WWI
Machine gun post in a front line trench during the withdrawal to the Siegfried line on the Western Front during World War I Date: February 1917

When the ell is it going to be strawberry?
Old Bill is disappointed to discover that the latest delivery of jam to the trenches on the Western Front during World I is plum and apple yet again! Date: 1915

British soldiers in hand to hand combat with Germans on Bastille Day (14 July), Bazentin, France, Battle of the Somme
6000438 British soldiers in hand to hand combat with Germans on Bastille Day (14 July), Bazentin, France, Battle of the Somme, World War I, 1916 (colour litho) by Damblans

French soldiers capturing a German position manned by enemy soldiers secured to their machine guns by their officers to
6000279 French soldiers capturing a German position manned by enemy soldiers secured to their machine guns by their officers to prevent them from retreating, World War I, 1915 (litho) by Bombled

Highlanders pipe themselves back from the trenches, WW1. 1914-1918

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"Trenches: A Glimpse into the Harsh Realities of War" Step back in time to witness the haunting scenes etched in history. The trenches, a symbol of sacrifice and suffering, hold stories that echo through generations. From the Attack of the Ulster Division on 1 July 1916, captured by James Prinsep Beadle's lens, to the Battle of the Somme in 1918, these images transport us to an era where bravery clashed with devastation. Amidst the chaos and bloodshed, there were moments that defied all odds. The Christmas Truce of 1914 stands as a testament to humanity's resilience even amidst war's darkest hours. Soldiers from opposing sides laid down their weapons for a brief respite from battle - a poignant reminder that compassion can transcend boundaries. The photographs vividly capture soldiers entrenched in their positions during World War I. British First Airborne dug deep at Arnhem during World War II while Rifle Brigade held steadfast on Western Front during WWI. Australian troops found solace within their trench near Armentieres, France - each face reflecting determination mixed with weariness. Above these muddy fortifications soared aerial combatants engaged in fierce battles over enemy lines; planes dueling against gravity and fate itself. Meanwhile, British Mark IV tanks equipped with Tadpole Tails trudged through treacherous terrain - symbols of technological advancement amid destruction. In one breathtaking moment frozen forever by lenses capturing history's essence – Coldstreamers charging valiantly on the Somme battlefield – we glimpse courage personified. Yet not all they were defensive havens; some became launching pads for daring attacks like those carried out by German forces during WWI. These snapshots serve as reminders that even within seemingly impenetrable barriers lie both defenders and aggressors alike. As we reflect upon these glimpses into our past, let us honor those who endured the horrors of trench warfare.