Lumberyard, 1916

Photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1916.

The armies on the Western Front required a vast amount of timber. As well as being used to line trenches and build parapets and dug-outs, wood was used to form duck board paths across wet and muddy terrain. Timber was also needed to strengthen tunnels, for shelter in the rear areas and for use on railways. Much of the wood was sourced locally as the supply of timber from overseas was restricted by the war at sea.

One of 193 British and Allied official photographs.