A fascinating Autochrome plate from the Great War - taken via an early colour glass-plate process over a hundred years ago. It isn't colourised.
A young woman is seen wearing the uniform of the French army (including a képi hat, capote greatcoat with double-breasted buttons, epaulets, and an infantry belt buckle). Yet there were no women serving in the French army during World War I and the photo tells an interesting story.
It was highly popular during the war for wives and sisters to pose playfully in the uniforms, képis or trench helmets of French soldiers as a token of pride, solidarity and affection for their loved ones who were away fighting or recently returned.
But also they were worn in photographs for remembrance, in honour of sweethearts who had fallen. The central woman is dressed in mourning black and holds a flowers - presumably the widow of a soldier killed in action and her sister wears the uniform in tribute.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia
"H.G. Wells, the English novelist, playing an indoor war game."
The Illustrated London News, 1913.
One of the most horrible features of war is that all the war-propaganda, all the screaming and lies and hatred, comes invariably from people who are not fighting.
- George Orwell, Homage To Catalonia