Messines Collection

Khaki Chums Christmas Truce Cross, St Yvon, Belgium
At Christmas 1914, over the 24th/25th December, a truce was held here between the 1st Battalion the Warwickshire Regiment and the 7th Bavarians in which Bruce Bairnsfaher took part

Christmas 1914 Football Match Statues, Messines - Mesen
This life sized statue of a German and a British soldier shaking hands over a football, was sculpted by Andy Edwards and was unveiled on 22 December 2015

A night raid into no-mans-land near Messines - WW1
A night raid into no-mans-land near Messines during the First World War

British engineers mining at Messines Ridge (blown)
British engineers mining at Messines Ridge (blown up on 7th June, 1917) during the First World War

Douve Valley, Messines, 8th June 1917

WW1 - View across the Douve Valley shelling Messines - 8th June 1917

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

Broken Trees, Wytschaete
A landscape etching which highlights a large number of broken trees, damaged from war during the capture of Wytschaete in the battle of Messines, on the Western Front, in WW1. Date: circa 1918

The Ridge, Wytschaete (w / c, pen & black ink and coloured chalk)
CH378044 The Ridge, Wytschaete (w/c, pen & black ink and coloured chalk) by Nash, Paul (1889-1946); 24.1x19.1 cm; Private Collection; Photo © Christies Images

German bunker, Oosttaverne Wood, Oostaverne
This bunker is one that formed part of the German defensive line that was attacked on 7 June 1917, the opening of the Messines prelude to the battle for Passchendaele

Captain Woodward, 1st Australian Tunneling Company
Captain Oliver Woodward was one of the heroes of the underground war at Hill 60. He had trained as a mining engineer and during his military career won the MC and two bars

Christmas Truce Memorial, Peace Village, Messines
The memorial carries the words A Lull in the Hate and refers to the football match played between the Germans and the British at Christmas 1914

Statue to New Zealand Forces who fought at Messines (Mesen) Date: 2016

A composite matchbox-ashtray made from a bullet cartridge and mounted on an 18 pounder shell case. Engraved Messines, June 7th 1917 - France and Belgium with an image in copper of a British tank

Map to illustrate the Battle of Messines, First World War, June 1917, (c1920). Creator: Unknown
Map to illustrate the Battle of Messines, First World War, June 1917, (c1920). The blue area shows ground gained from the Germans by the British under General Sir Herbert Plumer, 7-14 June 1917

Troops on a night raid leave by a sap for the enemy lines, 20th century. Artist: Realistic Travels Publishers
Troops on a night raid leave by a sap for the enemy lines, World War I, 1914-1918. Stereoscopic card detail

Soldiers leaving a trench for a night raid at Messines, Belgium, World War I, 1914-1918. Stereoscopic card detail

The London Scottish territorial regiment reforming their line under fire, 31 October 1914, (1926). At Messines, Belgium, on 31 October 1914

Australian troops the day before of the Battle of Messines, Belgium, 6 June 1917. The Battle of Messines was launched on June 7, 1917 by British General Herbert Plumers Second Army

Frank O Salisbury working on painting of King at the Front
Artist Frank O. Salisbury pictured at work on a huge canvas for his famous painting of the royal visit to the Front. The painting depicted King George V

General Sir Hubert Gough at Messines, WW1
General Sir Hubert de la Poer Gough (1870-1963), senior British Army officer, at Messines (Mesen), Flanders, Belgium, during the First World War

Ww1 Messines Church 1914
A ruined church at Messines, France, during the First World War. Date: December 1914

First Viscount Plumer
FIELD MARSHALL HERBERT CHARLES ONSLOW, 1ST VISCOUNT PLUMER OF MESSINES English military commander. Date: 1857 - 1932

German 77mm shell case vase with looped handles
A 1915 German 77 mm. shell case vase with looped handles, engraved with the badge of the Army Service Corps. and the place names of Wytschaete and Messines, Belgium, dated 1917. Trench Art

A composite matchbox-ashtray made from a bullet cartridge and mounted on an 18 pounder shell case. Engraved Messines, June 7th 1917 - France and Belgium with an image in copper of a British tank

Captain Davies encounters two German sentries, Messines
Captain Davies (1st/8th Btn. Royal Warwickshire Regiment - TF) encounters two German sentries while on an evening reconnaissance - Messines, June 1915. Deeds That Thrill The Empire - Page 242. W. Avis

Battle of Messines Ridge 1917
Soldiers on the rim of a huge mine crater blown up on the morning of the battle of Messines Ridge on the British Front in France during World War I in June 1917

Lancashire fusiliers in a bay of a front trench showing a Lewis gun and wire. Opposite Messines near Ploegstreert Wood, Belgium during World War I in January 1917

Battle of Messines Ridge
View of Oosttaverne Wood showing trenches taken by the British at the Battle of Messines Ridge, Western Front, Belgium during World War I in June 1917

Battle of Messines
A typical German pill-box shelter on the hill at the Battle of Messines, Western Front, Belgium during World War I in 1917

Battle of Messines Ridge
Soldier at the Battle of Messines Ridge, Western Front, Belgium during World War I in 1917

Observation Post
A steel tree used as an observation post by the Australian forces at the Battle of Messines, Western Front, Belgium during World War I in 1917

Night Raid at Messines
British infantry going over the top in a night raid at Messines

Mining Messines Ridge
Royal Engineers mine the Messines Ridge under German lines, and place explosives, which when detonated on 7 June 1917, assist the British in taking Ypres

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

"Unveiling the Forgotten History: Messines in the Midst of Chaos" Step back in time to witness the haunting ruins of the Cloisters at Messines, a poignant reminder of a bygone era. Painted by an unlikely artist, Adolf Hitler, this artwork captures both beauty and destruction. During World War I, brave soldiers embarked on daring night raids into no-man's-land near Messines. These courageous individuals risked their lives for their countries' cause, facing unimaginable horrors amidst the darkness. The British engineers played a crucial role in shaping history as they meticulously mined at Messines Ridge. Their efforts resulted in earth-shattering explosions that forever changed the landscape and altered the course of war. On June 8th, 1917, chaos reigned over Douve Valley as shells relentlessly pounded Messines. The view across this valley showcased the devastating impact of warfare and served as a stark reminder of its destructive power. From within trenches near Ploegsteert, Lancashire Fusiliers bravely held their ground while overlooking enemy territory during WWI. Their unwavering determination epitomized courage amidst adversity. Broken trees scattered across Wytschaete stood as silent witnesses to countless battles fought on these very grounds. Each shattered trunk bore witness to lives lost and sacrifices made during times of conflict. In moments that transcended war's brutality, humanity prevailed through acts like Khaki Chums Christmas Truce Cross at St Yvon, Belgium. This symbolizes temporary peace amid chaos - an embodiment of hope even in darkest times. A remarkable testament to human resilience emerged from unexpected camaraderie during Christmas 1914 Football Match Statues at Messines-Mesen. In this fleeting momentary ceasefire between enemies turned friends through sport – unity triumphed over division. Through all odds faced by soldiers embarking on perilous night raids or engineers risking everything with mining operations - it is essential never to forget the sacrifices made at Messines.