British soldier asking directions in France, 1914
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British soldier asking directions in France, 1914
How Tommy Atkins finds his way in France. A British soldier with a bicycle, lost in the windmill country of France, receives directions from a French peasant in November 1914 in the First World War. Date: November 1914
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Media ID 14147964
© Illustrated London News Ltd/Mary Evans
Atkins Bicycle Bicycles Bike Cycling Cyclist Directions Finds Infantry Infantryman Lost Peasant Tommy
EDITORS COMMENTS
In the early days of the First World War, as British troops advanced through the picturesque windmill country of northern France in November 1914, the experience of navigation and wayfinding was a common challenge for the thousands of soldiers who found themselves far from home and in unfamiliar territory. Among them was this young British infantryman, identified in military records as 'Tommy Atkins,' who, with his bicycle, appeared lost and in need of assistance. The soldier's uniform, complete with a slung rifle and a forage cap, bore the telltale signs of a long and arduous journey. His bicycle, a valuable piece of equipment for traversing the vast expanses of the battlefield, was a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the British military during this period. As Tommy Atkins paused in his tracks, a local French peasant, dressed in traditional rural attire, approached him with a curious expression. The peasant, with a gentle smile, offered directions to help the soldier find his way. This simple act of kindness, a reminder of the human connection that transcended the boundaries of war, was a poignant moment in the larger narrative of the conflict. This evocative photograph, taken in November 1914, captures the essence of the human experience during the First World War. It serves as a poignant reminder of the shared struggles and the small acts of kindness that emerged amidst the chaos and uncertainty of war. The image of Tommy Atkins, the humble British soldier, seeking directions from a French peasant, stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of resilience and the power of human connection.
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