These incredible photos were found by Rescued by Rover, from a series entitled “The Battlefield Series”, published by George Nightingale & Co, Normanton Avenue, Bognor (England). The photos are printed with the information: “These photos are finished and printed entirely by Ex-service men at Reflex Studios & Press, Parkstone.”
The photos illustrate the destruction caused by the battles of the First World War. The scenes mainly show destroyed buildings, abandoned weaponry, and cemeteries. The only people visible are civilians, some gazing at the destruction, posed with their backs to the camera as if to emphasize their status as witnesses, others working in the ruined streets or in the cemeteries. Some of the photos also show children playing on abandoned artillery pieces.
The captions printed on the backs of the photos are mainly brief and factual. These photos were presumably taken during the months following the end of hostilities, and likely published during 1919 or 1920.
Battlefields No. 1 – General view of Ostend from the Quay, showing the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. This church remains intact though building near were leveled to the ground
Battlefields No. 2 – The Hotel de Ville, Arras
Battlefields No. 3 – Church of St. Vaast, Armentieres
Battlefields No. 5 – Shrapnel Avenue, leading to Armentieres from Plug Street
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