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RE wiring party in front of the trenches, WW1
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RE wiring party in front of the trenches, WW1
An RE [Royal Engineers] wiring party in front of the trenches. Until about late 1915, wiring was exclusively the work of the RE, but the casualties sustained in doing this work, thereby creating a shortage of technical men to do more important work, made it imperative for the Infantry to undertake their own wiring. Annotated on back of picture - No Mans Land, Wiring at Neuve Chapelle, March 9th 1915. By the light of the flare de Breuze (possibly Bois de Biez) in the background. By Lieutenant Major John Empson Tindall, MC (b.1885). He joined the Royal Engineers as a Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Captain in the 1st Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers (later the 490th Field Company, Royal Engineers), 8th Division, BEF and then became Major commanding the 505th (Wessex) Field Company, 57th Division, BEF. Date: 1915
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Media ID 23034632
© David Cohen Fine Art/Mary Evans Picture Library
490th 505th 57th Bois Chapelle Commanding Counties Division Empson Engineers Flare Infantry Lieutenant Major Mans Neuve Tindall Trenches Wessex Wiring
EDITORS COMMENTS
In this evocative photograph, a Royal Engineers (RE) wiring party toils in the darkness of No Man's Land at Neuve Chapelle during the early stages of the First World War. Until around late 1915, the RE were solely responsible for the dangerous and crucial task of laying and maintaining the vital communication and electrical wiring in the trenches. However, the high casualty rate among these technical specialists created a pressing need for the infantry to take on this work, freeing up the RE for more essential duties. The scene is illuminated by the flickering light of a flare, possibly a de Breuze or Bois de Biez flare, which casts an eerie glow over the muddy terrain and the determined faces of the men. The date on the back of the photograph is March 9th, 1915. The photograph was taken by Lieutenant Major John Empson Tindall, MC, who served in the RE as a Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Captain in the 1st Home Counties Field Company, later becoming Major commanding the 505th (Wessex) Field Company. His military career saw him serving in the 8th Division, British Expeditionary Force (BEF) and the 57th Division, BEF. This poignant image offers a glimpse into the harsh realities of trench warfare during the First World War and the vital role that the RE played in supporting the frontline troops. It is a testament to the bravery and determination of the men who risked their lives to keep the communication lines open and ensure the success of their comrades in the trenches.
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