Royal Engineers Despatch Rider, 1917 (c)

Photograph, World War One, 1917 (c).

The despatch riders of the Royal Engineers and Royal Corps of Signals fulfilled a vital role in maintaining communications, sometimes under extremely difficult conditions. On the Western Front they often had to force their way through roads clogged with heavy traffic and along muddy trails, frequently under fire.

Harold Wilbert was born in Leeds on 25 April 1899 and was called up on 24 May 1917. He served at the Royal Engineers Signals Depot in Canterbury and was discharged on 13 December 1919. He died on 17 September 1978.

From a collection of 18 photograph postcards collected by 316956 Sapper Harold Wilbert, Royal Engineers Despatch Rider, 1917-1919 (c).