ANZAC Day tomorrow. These images are of Alan's Grandfather William who enlisted as a volunteer in 1916. He left behind a young pregnant wife. Alan's mother Iris has recently turned 90, she was born in April 1917 and didn't get to meet her father until she was 4. William was wounded twice but was sent back to the trenches after he recovered in an English hospital after the first wound. These photos were among Iris's collection which we sorted through for her 90th Birthday Party. The photo of William in the trench was in a small plastic box. We believe that thinking he had little chance of surviving the war and the freezing winter, he passed this photo to a friend to send home for him. The words were on the back. I deliberately left the scratches on this very old photo as I believe they are symbolic. The other photo is a studio shot of Will in his formal uniform. The poppy is one of those paper ones you buy on November 11 and I have scanned this and duplicated it. To me the poppies are so symbolic of France in WW1, and of course they are also a metaphor for blood, so much of which was spilt there in such a short time.
3 comments:
What must have been going through William's mind as he wrote on this photo? Such bravery. A very poignant image.
what treasures these photographs are and you've done such a wonderful job with this beautiful and poignant tribute, Helen. Iris will be so pleased to see it.
Helen, just beautiful work as usual.. this gave me goosebumps, so well done.
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