British troops in early trenches, 1914

Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1914.

The early trenches on the Western Front were built quickly and tended to be simple affairs. The bad weather during the winter of 1914-1915 and the destruction of pre-war drainage ditches by artillery bombardment also led to widespread flooding. No matter how cold or wet they were, the soldiers had to remain in the line.

One of 72 press photographs relating to the start of World War One.