'Fonquevilliers [sic] 1915. Coty HQ - Whizz Bang Corner', 1915

Photograph by Lieutenant Patrick Koekkoek, Royal Engineers, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1915.

The early trenches on the Western Front were built quickly and tended to be simple affairs that offered little protection from the elements. The bad weather and the destruction of pre-war drainage ditches by artillery bombardments also led to widespread flooding. No matter how cold or wet they were, the soldiers had to remain in the line.

One of 188 photographs taken by Lieutenant Patrick Koekkoek, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers, 1915-1917.