Wounded Tommy being pulled out of mud

[Dan Morton]

A friend has asked me to do a 3 figure WWI vignette for him. It is based on a very poor quality photo. 3 Tommies are in a mud hole - the Somme, Paeschendaele - probably 1916 from the uniforms and equipment. The wounded Tommie is helmet-less and up to his waist in mud. His two buddies are trying to pull him out using two leather rifle slings under his armpits - one on either end of a canvas-wrapped SMLE. Each buddy has one end of the SMLE on his shoulder and they are both lifting with all their might. I believe all three are wearing reversed sheepskin jerkins with fur showing. That's all I can see in the photo.

Does anybody have a clear version of this photo? Any help you can provide would be appreciated.

All the best,
Dan

 

[Dani A.]

Mud

Hello,

I remember the photo - will see if can come up with something.

I would suggest you place the vignette at the battle of Paschendaele (3rd Ypres). It would seem the mud at this battle was specially remarked as awful, it is to be supposed by a mix of the local soil, the heavy bombardment the earea was subject to, and the persistent rainfalls, which made it very sticky and shifting sand-like; and deep it was too, in places. It features in many eyewitness chronicles.

Coincidentally, I have recently read "Passchendaele", by Steel and Hart, which I would recommend. It contains many personal accounts.

HTH,

Dani

 

[Dan Morton]

Dani - Many thanks! I'll look up the recommended book. You have my e-mail address?

All the best,
Dan

 

[billyturnip]

Dan, I have the book Dani mentions I'll send it over with the two figures if you like.

Roger.

 

[Dan Morton]

Roger, Could you just scan & e-mail the scanned photo or illustration? Sending the book is OK, but I'm just trying to avoid the postage.

All the best,
Dan

 

[billyturnip]

Dan, I think you might have misunderstood. Dani recommended the book, I have it and will send it over with the Hampshire regt. figures.
It doesn't cotain the photo you are lookig for.
Don't worry about postage you can keep the book.

Roger.

 

[billyturnip]

Found it.

Further to the above post I had a sudden rush of something to the brain and found the picture you are refering to in "Eye Deep In Hell. The Western Front 1914-18" by John Ellis.
e-mail on it's way.

Roger

 

[Dan Morton]

Thanks again Roger!

All the best,
Dan