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British Army recruits receiving their pay, London, WW1
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British Army recruits receiving their pay, London, WW1
British Army recruits receiving their pay in St Martins Churchyard, Trafalgar Square, London at the beginning of the First World War. Date: August 1914
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Media ID 7180465
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10528651
Bars Clerk Clerks Enlisted Enlisting Martin Martins Railings Receiving Recruits Ww 1
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the moment of truth for newly enlisted British Army recruits as they receive their first pay at the beginning of the First World War. The scene unfolds in the tranquil setting of St Martin-in-the-Fields Churchyard, located in the heart of London's Trafalgar Square. Dressed in their uniforms and carrying their belongings, the men eagerly gather around a table manned by a military pay clerk. The air is filled with a mix of anticipation and relief, as these ordinary men prepare to embark on an extraordinary journey. The pay clerk, a stern yet fair-faced man, meticulously distributes the wages, handing over bars of pay to each recruit. The pay was issued in the form of a metal bar, stamped with the value, which could be exchanged for goods and services or melted down for cash. The recruits' expressions range from jubilation to quiet contemplation, reflecting the diverse emotions that accompanied the start of their military careers. The railings of the churchyard serve as a backdrop to this historic event, providing a sense of stability and continuity amidst the chaos of war. The scene is a poignant reminder of the thousands of young men who answered the call to duty, leaving their homes and families behind to defend their country. This photograph, taken in August 1914, is a testament to the courage and resilience of the British people during the Great War.
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