On Leave Collection

WWI poster - British - We risk our lives to bring you food. Its up to you not to waste it. - A message from our seamen. -? TopFoto

A sailor on leave telling his family about his experiences, 1850
3330690 A sailor on leave telling his family about his experiences, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a sailor on leave telling his family about his experiences)

A sailor on leave telling his family about his experiences, 1850
3330826 A sailor on leave telling his family about his experiences, 1850; (add.info.: Engraving depicting a sailor on leave telling his family about his experiences)

Son Colonel !; En permission tous les deux, un lieutenant-colonel et un jeune soldat de... 1916
Son Colonel !; En permission tous les deux, un lieutenant-colonel et un jeune soldat de son regiment se rencontrent a Paris, sur les grands boulevards ; le salute que ce "bleuet"

'Le Copain, 1916. Creator: J Simont
Le Copain, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVIII. La Guerre Juillet, Aout, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Decembre 1916"

'L'Envie, 1916. Creator: J Simont
L'Envie, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVIII. La Guerre Juillet, Aout, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Decembre 1916"

Les permissionnaires; un peu de rabiot. 1916. Creator: Louis Remy Sabattier
Les permissionnaires; un peu de rabiot. 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVIII. La Guerre Juillet, Aout, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Decembre 1916"

The Grand Naval Review, at Spithead: James Gate, Portsmouth - Liberty-Men Returning, 1856. Creator: Unknown
The Grand Naval Review, at Spithead: James Gate, Portsmouth - Liberty-Men Returning, 1856. Sailors of the Royal Navy go ashore before taking part in a military display off the coast of

Les trains de permissionnaires, 1916. Creator: L Sabattier
Les trains de permissionnaires, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV. L'Illustration Tome CXLVIII. La Guerre Juillet, Aout, Septembre, Octobre, Novembre, Decembre 1916"

'Studies of Life and Character at a Railway Station; Troopers on Furlough, 1890. Creator: Unknown
'Studies of Life and Character at a Railway Station; Troopers on Furlough, 1890. From "The Graphic. An Illustrated Weekly Newspaper", Volume 42. July to December, 1890

La treve des confiseurs; L'homme des tranchees, venu a Paris en permission de... 1916. Creator: J Simont
La treve des confiseurs; L'homme des tranchees, venu a Paris en permission de six jours, y a retrouve ses obligations d'homme du monde, 1916. From "Collection de la Guerre IV

Six soldiers back from Burma, all from Droitwich, Worcestershire, enjoy a dinner at the Royal Exchange public house back in Droitwich

The Weekend away from the Front: British officers and men on short leave from the trenches arriving at Victoria
STC312636 The Weekend away from the Front: British officers and men on short leave from the trenches arriving at Victoria, from The Illustrated War News, 1915 (litho) by Michael, Arthur C

On Leave, 1915 / 17. Creator: Theophile Alexandre Steinlen
On Leave, 1915/17

On Leave, 1883 (oil on canvas)
BAL34296 On Leave, 1883 (oil on canvas) by Zimmer, Wilhelm (1853-1937); 71x109.5 cm; Josef Mensing Gallery, Hamm-Rhynern, Germany; German, out of copyright

On Leave, (watercolour and pencil on board)
985341 On Leave, (watercolour and pencil on board) by Demuth, Charles (1883-1935); 27x19 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: On Leave. Charles Demuth (1883-1935). Watercolour and pencil on board

Alone at Last - Poilu Day, 1915 (litho)
699176 Alone at Last - Poilu Day, 1915 (litho) by Willette, Adolphe Leon (1857-1926); 100x79 cm; Private Collection; (add.info.: Journee du Poilu. 25 et 26 decembre 1915. Organisee par le parlement)

British Men of War at Anchor in Blackwall Reach, 1792 (oil on canvas)
FIT167227 British Men of War at Anchor in Blackwall Reach, 1792 (oil on canvas) by Serres, Dominic (1722-93); 107x168 cm; Fitzwilliam Museum, University of Cambridge

Christmas-tide in Wartime: Shopping on the Darkened Streets (litho)
5996304 Christmas-tide in Wartime: Shopping on the Darkened Streets (litho) by Hatherell, William (1855-1928) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Christmas-tide in Wartime)

Soldiers on Leave - Night Scene (Permissionnaires - Effet de Nuit), 1916

A British soldier buying flowers for his wife in central London as he returns home on leave during the Second World War. The flower seller has worked in the same place in the Strand for forty years

Bombardier M. Simons of Cardiff pictured with his wife and mother after his return from serving with the British Army in the Far East during World War Two. Circa 1945

Sergeant Bill (surname unreadable) injured and on leave. Picture taken 20th September 1943

Ten Jewish veterans of an all Palestinian RASC Company, having a very long record of service in the Western Desert and Italy, left Brussels on the night of 3rd November 1945 en route for Palestine

Fighting the elements as well as a well-dug in enemy, in country that gives every advantage to the defenders, infantry continued their advance towards a village in Belgium

In Cairo, on a branch of the River Nile, is the Gozira Sporting Club Houseboat which is maintained by the club as a leave boat, where men of the three fighting services are welcomed

Scene from the play The Unknown Warrior. 10th November 1929

Royal Navy sailor A Ryder enjoys his time on leave as he spends the day with his two sons Johnny and Michael playing on the beach. 9th August 1942

Mrs Wells of Leigh On Sea greets her husband with a kiss at the railway station after nearly four years without seeing him. He is on Christmas leave from service in the East. 2nd December 1944

Private Ted Saunders of the 2nd Army out shopping with his wife Margaret in Bermondsey while on leave during the Second World War. 7th January 1945

Two heavily laden soldiers of the British Army, Sergeants Lester (left) and Jarvis, arrive home in happy mood from the Middle East during the Second World War. 7th January 1944

Today one of the pilots flying supplies to Berlin, Flt. Lt. J. Cornish of 242 Squadron, R
Today one of the pilots flying supplies to Berlin, Flt.Lt. J. Cornish of 242 Squadron, R.A.F. Transport, was presented with a bouquet of red roses by Fraulein Schoenrock of Wilmersdorf

A soldier in the British Army relaxes with a cigarette as he sits beside the firplace accompanied by his wife and young daughter while on leave during the Second World War. 7th January 1945

Home from the War (Harpers Weekly, Vol. VII), June 13, 1863. Creator: Unknown
Home from the War (Harpers Weekly, Vol. VII), June 13, 1863

The Sailors Return from Active Service, 1780-1827. Creator: Thomas Rowlandson
The Sailors Return from Active Service, 1780-1827

Soldiers home from the trenches interested in the new notice to single men ( Gordons Highlanders ) 1 March

Navy Cut De Luxe, 1921
Players Navy Cut De Luxe tobacco counter card. In the top, oval section is a dockside scene with two naval officers in eighteenth century uniform outside a building which is probably an inn under

A Company of Soldiers (panel)
BAL82410 A Company of Soldiers (panel) by Kick, Simon (1603-52); 122x122 cm; Johnny van Haeften Gallery, London, UK; Dutch, out of copyright

The Village Hero, from Leisure Hour, 1891 (engraving)
XJF314335 The Village Hero, from Leisure Hour, 1891 (engraving) by Knowles, Davidson (fl.1879-96) (after); Private Collection; English, out of copyright

Sliding on Hampstead Heath 22 January 1917

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"On Leave: A Glimpse into Lives Interrupted by War" In the midst of World War I, a powerful British poster boldly proclaimed, "We risk our lives to bring you food. It's up to you not to waste it. " This poignant reminder highlighted the sacrifices made by those on leave from the frontlines, who returned home only to witness their efforts squandered. Among them were six soldiers hailing from Droitwich, Worcestershire, fresh back from Burma. Their arrival stirred mixed emotions - relief and joy at being reunited with loved ones but also an underlying awareness that their respite was fleeting. The Illustrated War News of 1915 captured a snapshot of this paradoxical weekend away for British officers and men arriving at Victoria station. The lithograph depicted weary faces etched with both weariness and anticipation as they temporarily escaped the horrors of trench warfare. Similarly, Theophile Alexandre Steinlen's artwork "On Leave" in 1915 evoked a sense of longing for normalcy amidst chaos. Yet these experiences were not confined solely to WWI; even earlier conflicts left indelible marks on soldiers' lives. An oil painting from 1883 portrayed soldiers on leave seeking solace or perhaps adventure during their brief reprieve. Meanwhile, a watercolor and pencil depiction showcased moments when solitude became a cherished luxury amid the turmoil. War has always disrupted lives beyond just those directly involved in combat. "Alone at Last - Poilu Day" illustrated how precious moments alone could be treasured amidst wartime chaos while "The Sailor's Wedding" reminded us that love perseveres even in times of conflict. Beyond individual experiences, historical artworks like "British Men-of-War at Anchor in Blackwall Reach" transported us back to 1792 when naval personnel sought respite between battles – reminding us that leaves have been granted throughout history as necessary respites for warriors.