WWI Somme Portraits

[gerardkenny]

This may be of interest to some here - several hundred glass plate portrait photos from the area of the Somme ;

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/eu...ar-1688443.html

Within a few months ? or days, most probably ? many of the soldiers were dead. The "somewhere in France" where these pictures were taken was a village called Warloy-Baillon in the d?partement of the Somme. Ten miles to the east was the front line from which the British Army launched the most murderous battle of that, or any, war, which lasted from 1 July to late November 1916 and killed an estimated 1,000,000 British empire, French and German soldiers.

More than 90 years later, at least 400 glass photographic plates preserving the images were found in the loft of a barn at Warloy-Baillon and cast out as rubbish. In recent months, the plates, some in perfect condition, some badly damaged, have been lovingly assembled and their images printed, scanned and digitally restored by two Frenchmen.

You can check out the photos here :

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/eu...ml?action=Popup

[Tony]

It's good to hear they were able to restore many of the plates. Great photos showing a variety of what was worn in France in 1915 and 16 I'd guess, with British, French, Canadian and Australian soldiers.

A pity they remain unknown.

Tony

[leigh kitchen]

Very emotive, there have been similar dscoveries in the recent past which have been featured in miltary magazines. Intriguing.

[Ulsterman]

yeah-great link. Thanks,

did anyone notice the editors' pick story lower right about the Catholic Priest whose received the legion d'Honner for interviewing and documenting the activities of the Einsatzgruppen in the former USSR? Really chilling stuff.

[Mark C]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/eu...opup&ino=46

shows the "black Tommy."

[rumjar]

did you see the 7ft tall soldier. did they not find a 7ft tall sekleton a few years back at Monchy La Preux or was it,

Viller-Bretonneux area.

joe.

Edited June 8, 2009 by rumjar

[Tony]

did you see the 7ft tall soldier. did they not find a 7ft tall sekleton a few years back at Monchy La Preux or was it,

Viller-Bretonneux area.

joe.

That was at Monchy Joe and must have been at the very least 5 years ago now.

Tony

[Tony]

did you see the 7ft tall soldier. did they not find a 7ft tall sekleton a few years back at Monchy La Preux or was it,

Viller-Bretonneux area.

joe.

Joe,

A bit off the topic of the photos but have a look at posts 82 and 83 here regarding the 7ft soldier http://gmic.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=3078...mp;#entry122963

Tony

Edited June 28, 2009 by Tony