Ploegsteert Collection

Charing Cross Dressing Station bunkers, Ploegsteert
These are close by the Plugstreet Experience 14-18 (Interpretation Centre) and served the Dressing Station which, like many of the sites around here, used a series of Central London names

View from trench, Lancashire Fusiliers near Ploegsteert Wood, Messines, January 1917

WW1 - Lancashier Fusiliers front line trench overlooking no-mans land opposite Messines near Ploegsteert Wood - January 1917

WW1 - German Star shell bursting, Ploegsteert, Belgium - March 1916

London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium, World War I, c1918. Artist: Nightingale & Co
London Rifle Brigade Cemetery, Ploegsteert, Belgium, World War I, c1918. Stereoscopic card detail

Studio photograph of a British soldier in khaki uniform. Printed by The Clock Tower Studios, 1 Marine Terrace, Elephant Hill, Margate. On the reverse is written Feb 8th 1915. To Madam From 10608 Pte

A straight stem pipe, finely hand carved - WWI
A straight stem pipe, finely hand carved by and belonging to Driver P. S. Wilson, a lorry driver with the Army Service Corps. during the First World War. Signature on base of pipe - P. S. WILSON

WWI album of Lieutenant-Colonel P Syrcold
A First World War album containing 41 photographs dated between 1914 and 1916, belonging to Lieutenant-Colonel P. SYRCOLD of the 1st/4th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment, 48th Division

British 6 inch Howitzer, Ploegsteert Wood, Flanders, WW1
A British 6 inch (30 cwt) Howitzer of the 6th Siege Battery RGA (Royal Garrison Artillery) in action position near Hill 63, Ploegsteert Wood, Flanders, during the First World War

German infantry in gas masks WWI
German troops in gas masks penetrating Ploegsteert Wood between Montdidier and Noyon during World War I

Christmas Day 1914
Fraternisation between German and English soldiers on Christmas Day 1914 in Ploegsteert on the Western Front in France during World War I

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"Ploegsteert: A Glimpse into the Trenches of WWI" Step back in time and witness the haunting view from the trenches near Ploegsteert, as experienced by the brave Lancashire Fusiliers. These soldiers stood firm on the front line, their eyes fixed on a war-ravaged landscape that bore witness to unimaginable horrors. In this black and white photograph, taken during World War I, we catch a glimpse of a German Star shell bursting overhead. The deafening sound and blinding light serve as a chilling reminder of the constant danger faced by those stationed at Ploegsteert. Venturing beyond the battlefield, we find ourselves inside Charing Cross Dressing Station bunkers. These underground shelters provided solace amidst chaos, offering respite for wounded soldiers seeking medical attention. Their stories echo through these walls, reminding us of both sacrifice and resilience. As we wander further into this historical tapestry, our gaze falls upon London Rifle Brigade Cemetery in Ploegsteert. Rows upon rows of gravestones stand tall against an overcast sky - silent tributes to those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country during World War I. This poignant image captures both loss and remembrance. Amongst these somber scenes emerges a studio photograph of a British soldier - his stoic expression revealing only fragments of his inner turmoil. His unwavering dedication is mirrored in every step taken along these treacherous grounds. Delving deeper into Lieutenant-Colonel P Syrcold's WWI album reveals glimpses into daily life amidst conflict - comrades sharing moments together; laughter mingling with uncertainty; bonds forged under fire's relentless gaze. Amidst all this darkness lies one artifact that offers solace - a straight stem pipe finely hand-carved with intricate details. Perhaps it served as an escape from reality or offered comfort during brief respites from battle – a symbol of the human spirit's resilience in the face of adversity.