Powerful Photos of Women Labourers During the First World War

During the First World War (1914–1918), women stepped into countless forms of labor that had traditionally been performed by men, filling critical gaps left by those who had gone to fight. Across Europe and beyond, they worked in munitions factories, producing the weapons and ammunition essential to the war effort. They took jobs in railways, shipyards, construction, and engineering, proving their ability to handle physically demanding and often dangerous work.

In agriculture, women replaced absent male farmworkers, ensuring that food production continued despite wartime shortages. They also engaged in transport and logistics, driving trams, buses, and even ambulances. Their presence in these industries marked a dramatic shift in the workforce and challenged existing notions of gender roles.

Although many women were pushed back into domestic life after the war ended, their contributions as labourers during the conflict demonstrated resilience, strength, and capability—helping pave the way for long-term social and political change, including the expansion of women’s rights.

These images belong to the Parsons’ ‘Women Labourers’ photo album, taken at Parsons’ Works on Shields Road during the First World War. The factory was founded by engineer Charles Parsons, best known for his invention of the steam turbine. In 1914, with the outbreak of war, Parsons’ daughter Rachel, one of the first three women to study engineering at Cambridge, replaced her brother on the board of directors, and took on a role in the training department of the Ministry of Munitions, supporting the increasing amount of women taking on jobs in industry to support the war effort.

Brazing blades, 1914–18

Drilling cylinder blade stops, 1914–18

Filling out brush boxes, 1914–18

Forming up blading

Insulating end connections, 1914–18

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40 Historic Posters That Captured the Spirit of the Great War

During World War I (1914–1918), posters became one of the most powerful tools of communication and propaganda. At a time when radio and film were still emerging, governments relied heavily on bold, visual messaging to mobilize public support, encourage enlistment, raise funds through war bonds, conserve resources, and shape public opinion.

These posters were often vivid, emotional, and patriotic. They used strong imagery and slogans to appeal to citizens’ sense of duty, fear, pride, and morality. Artists played a key role, blending fine art with mass communication. Some posters used heroic depictions of soldiers and civilians, while others vilified the enemy or portrayed the horrors of war to stir emotional response.

Different nations adapted the format to their own cultural symbols, but the goals were often the same: unite the population, sustain morale, and win the war at home and abroad. Here is a selection of powerful posters from the First World War.

l'Insomnie du Kaiser, 1914

Cacciali Via!, 1914

Deutschland, August 1914

Az Erdekes Ujság És a Kis Erdeckes, 1915

Belgian Canal Boat Fund for the relief of the civil population behind the firing lines. Send them something, 1915

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King Albert I of Belgium and King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy Inspect Troops During World War I

King Albert I of Belgium and King Victor Emmanuel III of Italy were contemporaries and prominent monarchs during a crucial era in European history, especially during World War I. Both were monarchs during World War I, but they had very different roles: Albert I actively led troops in battle and gained widespread respect for his resistance. Victor Emmanuel III was more of a constitutional monarch at the time but later became controversial for his passive role during Mussolini's rise.

The Mugshot of Stephen Shock, 1916

Here’s the mugshot of Stephen Shock, also known as Walter O’Brecht, prisoner #6970. Shock was sentenced to two years in the Nebraska State Prison for grand larceny in Douglas County, Nebraska on November 28, 1916. He was released early, in February 1918, and decided to put his old ways behind him for good. Shock enlisted in the US Army shortly after his release to serve in World War I.

While the clang of prison gates marked the end of one chapter, it also heralded the beginning of another. By 1918, as the world was engulfed in the turmoil of World War I, Shock emerged from his incarceration with a newfound resolve. Determined to turn his life around, he enlisted in the US Army, seeking redemption and a fresh start amidst the global conflict that defined the era.

Shock’s transition from a convict to a soldier was not just a personal metamorphosis but a testament to the transformative power of wartime service. His enlistment represented more than a bid for redemption; it was a chance to contribute to a cause larger than himself and to redefine his place in a world on the brink of change.

As he donned the uniform and stepped into the fray of World War I, Shock’s journey from prison to battlefield became a symbol of resilience and reinvention. His story reflects the complex interplay of personal struggle and global events, highlighting how individuals can rise from their pasts to embrace new roles and opportunities.

World War I Veteran Using Prosthetic Arm for Welding, 1919

In the wake of World War I, as the world grappled with the aftermath of a global conflict, a remarkable story of resilience and innovation emerged from the life of a veteran. In 1919, one such soldier, having returned from the battlefields with a prosthetic arm, demonstrated the extraordinary power of human determination and adaptation.

This veteran, whose bravery had been tested on the front lines, now faced a new kind of challenge in civilian life. The prosthetic arm, a marvel of early 20th-century engineering, was more than just a tool—it was a symbol of his courage and ability to forge a new path despite the scars of war. Designed with precision and ingenuity, the arm was equipped to aid in everyday tasks, allowing him to engage in work that demanded skill and dexterity.

In the bustling environment of a workshop or perhaps a factory, the veteran’s prosthetic arm became an extension of his willpower. As he maneuvered through his tasks, the arm’s joints and mechanisms worked seamlessly with his remaining strength. Each movement was a testament to his adaptability and the relentless pursuit of normalcy in a world forever changed by the war.

His colleagues and peers looked on with a mixture of admiration and respect. Here was a man who had once faced the horrors of battle but now faced the trials of reintegration with unwavering resolve. His presence in the workplace was not just about performing a job but also about inspiring others with the sheer will to overcome adversity.

18-Year-Old Humphrey Bogart in His Sailors Uniform During His Service in World War I

Actor Humphrey Bogart is best known for his leading roles in the films The Maltese Falcon (1941), Casablanca (1942), The African Queen (1951), The Caine Mutiny (1954) and more. Lesser known is that Bogart also served in World War I in the Navy and during World War II in the Coast Guard.

Humphrey Bogart, circa 1918. He served in the Navy during World War I, enlisting after he was expelled from boarding school for throwing the headmaster into a pond on campus.

With no viable career options, Bogart enlisted in the United States Navy in the spring of 1918, during World War I. He recalled later, “At eighteen, war was great stuff. Paris! Sexy French girls! Hot damn!”

Bogart was recorded as a model sailor, who spent most of his sea time after the armistice ferrying troops back from Europe. He left the service on June 18, 1919, at the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class.

During World War II, Bogart attempted to re-enlist in the Navy but was rejected due to his age. Bogart then volunteered for the Coast Guard Temporary Reserve in 1944, patrolling the California coastline in his yacht, the Santana.

Many years later, Bogart’s son, Stephen, said that most people know about Bogart‘s movies but “probably fewer know about my father’s other great loves, sailing. Specifically, it was with his 55-foot sailing yacht, Santana. The sea was my father's sanctuary.”

Bogart’s passion for the sea, extended not just from his time in the Navy, Coast Guard and sailing his yacht, but also in some of the films he starred in. 

Bogart, who was born in New York City on Christmas, 1899, died from cancer in January 1957 in Los Angeles. 

50 Powerful Photos Capturing the Tragedy of World War I

World War I (1914-1918) was a global conflict primarily between the Allied Powers (including France, the UK, Russia, and later the US) and the Central Powers (mainly Germany, Austria-Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire). The war began due to a complex web of alliances, nationalism, militarism, and the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary. It was characterized by trench warfare, massive loss of life, and technological advancements in weaponry.

The war ended with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919, which imposed harsh penalties on Germany and redrew the map of Europe, setting the stage for World War II.

These powerful photos from an album of World War I-related photos in the William Okell Holden Dodds fonds. Brigadier General Dodds joined the Canadian Expeditionary Force in 1914 and was commanding officer of the 5th Canadian Division Artillery and served in France from 1917-1918. He passed away on August 25, 1934.

Ammunition loading station, narrow gauge railway

Belgian artillery

Belgium. Cloth Hall, Ypres, after bombardment

Belgium. Cloth Hall, Ypres, before bombardment

Belgium. Hotel de Ville, Leuven

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Fighting Jack Munroe and Bobbie Burns: A Touching Story of a WWI Canadian Hero and His Beloved Collie

Jack Munroe (1877-1942) was a Canadian hero of the Great War. Here below is the story from Wooway1 of Jack Munroe and his beloved collie, Bobbie Burns.

Born near Cape Breton, Munroe led a hardscrabble life there and left Canada to prospect for gold in Montana. While there he entered a contest where a man could win $250.00 if he could last four rounds against the heavy weight champion Jack Jeffries. Munroe lasted the rounds and won the money. For several years he boxed and refought Jeffries in 1904 in a “world championship”. Jeffries battered Munroe this time. Munroe gained great wealth in prospecting but left the lucrative career to volunteer in the Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry in August 1914.

Jack Munroe and his beloved collie Bobbie Burns

Munroe had his collie, Bobbie Burns, by now, and the dog was smuggled onto trains, the troop ship to England and through the English port quarantine on dogs. As the regimental mascot now, Bobbie travelled with Munroe and the regiment to France. The regiment suffered heavy losses in 1915, and Munroe was severely wounded and almost died. Bobbie travelled with him to the hospital where touched by his devotion to Munroe, the medical staff allowed Bobbie to remain in the hospital by Munroe. Munroe lost the use of his right arm and was sent back to Canada where he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant.

Munroe and Bobbie travelled through Canada and later the United States to promote the war effort.

After the war, Munroe returned to Canada with Bobbie. Munroe wrote of his experiences in the trenches in “Mopping Up”. He wrote it from the view of Bobbie his dog. Later Munroe and Bobbie lived in a number of places in Canada. Once Bobbie mistakenly was left at a train station, and Munroe travelled two hundred miles away to another train station. Once there he realized Bobbie was missing. He believed he had lost the dog forever. However, ten days later Bobbie showed up having crossed rough terrain for two hundred miles to find Munroe. Bobbie remained with Jack Munroe for sixteen years and then disappeared. Munroe believed that Bobbie left to go into the woods to die. Munroe never owned another dog again. Munroe died in 1942 in Canada.

The regiment he had joined in 1914 along with 1098 other men had approximately 200 survive the war. Another member of the regiment in 1914 was Eric Knight. Knight created the beloved canine character of the collie named Lassie. Many believe he created Lassie based upon Bobbie Burns.

World War I Through a British Soldier’s Lens

British soldiers during World War I, often referred to as “Tommy Atkins,” faced immense challenges and hardships. They fought primarily in the trenches of France and Belgium, enduring constant bombardment, disease, and unsanitary conditions.

The soldiers were typically conscripted or volunteered from across the British Empire, with many coming from rural areas. The war introduced new technologies like tanks, machine guns, and poison gas, making the battlefield even more lethal.

Despite the horrors of trench warfare, soldiers displayed incredible resilience and camaraderie, with many enduring years of grueling combat. The war had a profound impact on British society, leaving deep psychological and physical scars on those who fought. These vintage photos from Shane Egan were taken by a British soldier when he served during World War I.

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Motorcycle Ambulances in World War One

Motorcycle ambulances were used during World War I by the British, French, and Americans. At the time, the advantages of light weight, speed, and mobility over larger vehicles was cited as the motive for the use of motorcycles with sidecar in this role. The US version had two stretchers arranged one on top of the other. The French ambulance used a sidecar that held a single patient, who could either lie down or sit up.

These motorcycle ambulances typically featured a large sidecar with space for one stretcher, sometimes with basic covers or windshields for protection. In some designs, the sidecar was outfitted with spring suspensions to cushion the ride for the injured, a critical feature given the rough battlefield conditions. Most motorcycle ambulances had limited medical equipment, making speed to the nearest field hospital essential.

The main advantage of motorcycle ambulances was their maneuverability and speed, especially on narrow, muddy, or debris-filled roads that larger ambulances couldn’t navigate. However, they were limited to transporting one patient at a time, and wounded soldiers with more severe injuries found the bumpy ride difficult and potentially dangerous.

These motorcycle ambulances were an innovative and vital part of the medical response during World War I, emphasizing the growing importance of mobility and speed in battlefield medical care.

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25 Humorous Photos of “Soldiers in Drag” During WWI

During World War I, soldiers found various ways to cope with the harsh realities of war and to seek moments of enjoyment amid the chaos. Some soldiers engaged in cross-dressing and drag as a form of entertainment and camaraderie. This often occurred in informal settings, such as troop performances or “entertainment nights,” where soldiers would dress as women to amuse their comrades.

Units would put on shows that included skits and songs, with some soldiers dressing in women’s clothing for comedic effect. These performances provided a much-needed escape from the grim realities of war, helping to boost morale. Cross-dressing also fostered a sense of bonding and shared laughter among soldiers, creating a temporary break from the stresses of combat.

This practice was not unique to WWI, it has roots in earlier military traditions, where cross-dressing was often used for entertainment. Here below is a set of humorous photo from Hans that shows “Soldiers in Drag” during WWI.

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Amazing Photos of Dogs During World War I

Dogs played an important military role for most European armies during World War I, serving in a variety of tasks. Dogs hauled machine gun and supply carts. They also served as messengers, often delivering their missives under a hail of fire.

Though it is difficult to fully account for their numbers, according to one French source “more than two thousand dogs” were in service on the Western Front at one time during the war, and the Imperial War Museums believes over 16 million total animals were in service during the course World War I.

The contributions of dogs during World War I led to increased recognition of their roles in military and search-and-rescue operations. Many countries established units specifically for training dogs for future conflicts.

The bond between humans and dogs during this tumultuous time highlighted their importance not only as working animals but also as companions in times of hardship. Here below is a set of amazing photos of dogs during World War I.

A medical dog with a Red Cross insignia on its collar relaxes by its handler early in the war

Medic with his dog

A German aviator has decked out his dog

A German handler poses with his messenger dog and its carrying case

A German messenger dog poses with his message container. It appears the dog's name is Rolf

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Rin Tin Tin, the World War I Dog Who Became a Hollywood Star, and His Popularity Helped Save Warner Bros.

Rin Tin Tin likely would have been a German war dog if the World War I battle near Saint-Mihiel had gone differently.

In September of 1918, the Allies broke through the German line in northeastern France. As the Germans evacuated the area, some men were sent out to scour the countryside to see what remained. Among the discoveries were a mother dog and her puppies, left behind in a damaged war dog station. Lee Duncan, a soldier from Southern California, couldn’t bear to leave the dogs behind. With help from a buddy, he took them back to the base where his unit, the 135th Aero Squadron, was camped.

The rest is Hollywood history...

Following advances made by American forces during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, Corporal Lee Duncan, an armourer of the U.S. Army Air Service, was sent forward on September 15, 1918, to the small French village of Flirey to see if it would make a suitable flying field for his unit, the 135th Aero Squadron. The area had been subjected to aerial bombing and artillery fire, and Duncan found a severely damaged kennel which had once supplied the Imperial German Army with German Shepherd dogs. The only dogs left alive in the kennel were a starving mother with a litter of five nursing puppies, their eyes still shut because they were less than a week old. Duncan rescued the dogs and brought them back to his unit.

When the puppies were weaned, he gave the mother to an officer and three of the litter to other soldiers, but he kept one puppy of each sex. He felt that these two dogs were symbols of his good luck. He dubbed them Rin Tin Tin and Nanette after a pair of good luck charms called Rintintin and Nénette that French children often gave to the American soldiers. Duncan sensed that Nanette was the more intelligent of the two puppies.

In July 1919, Duncan sneaked the dogs aboard a ship taking him back to the US at the end of the war. When he got to Long Island, New York, for re-entry processing, he put his dogs in the care of a Hempstead breeder named Mrs. Leo Wanner, who trained police dogs. Nanette was diagnosed with pneumonia; as a replacement, the breeder gave Duncan another female German Shepherd puppy. Duncan traveled to California by rail with his dogs. While Duncan was traveling by train, Nanette died in Hempstead. As a memorial, Duncan named his new puppy Nanette II, but he called her Nanette. Duncan, Rin Tin Tin, and Nanette II settled at his home in Los Angeles. Rin Tin Tin was a dark sable color and had very dark eyes. Nanette II was much lighter in color.

An athletic silent film actor named Eugene Pallette was one of Duncan’s friends. The two men enjoyed the outdoors; they took the dogs to the Sierras, where Pallette liked to hunt, while Duncan taught Rin Tin Tin various tricks. Duncan thought that his dog might win a few awards at dog shows and thus be a valuable source of puppies bred with Nanette for sale. In 1922, Duncan was a founding member of the Shepherd Dog Club of California, based in Los Angeles. At the club’s first show, Rin Tin Tin showed his agility but also demonstrated an aggressive temper, growling, barking, and snapping. It was a very poor performance, but the worst moment came afterward when Duncan was walking home. A heavy bundle of newspapers was thrown from a delivery truck and landed on the dog, breaking his left front leg. Duncan had the injured limb set in plaster and he nursed the dog back to health for nine months.

Ten months after the break, the leg was healed and Rin Tin Tin was entered in a show for German Shepherd dogs in Los Angeles. Rin Tin Tin had learned to leap great heights. At the dog show while making a winning leap, he was filmed by Duncan's acquaintance Charley Jones, who had just developed a slow-motion camera. Seeing his dog being filmed, Duncan became convinced Rin Tin Tin could become the next Strongheart, a successful film dog that lived in his own full-sized stucco bungalow with its own street address in the Hollywood Hills, separate from the mansion of his owners, who lived a street away next to Roy Rogers. Duncan later wrote, “I was so excited over the film idea that I found myself thinking of it night and day.”

Duncan walked his dog up and down Poverty Row, talking to anyone in a position to put Rin Tin Tin in film, however modest the role. The dog’s first break came when he was asked to replace a camera-shy wolf in The Man from Hell’s River (1922) featuring Wallace Beery. The wolf was not performing properly for the director, but under the guidance of Duncan’s voice commands, Rin Tin Tin was very easy to work with. When the film was completed, the dog was billed as “Rin Tan.” Rin Tin Tin would be cast as a wolf or wolf-hybrid many times in his career because it was much more convenient for filmmakers to work with a trained dog. In another 1922 film titled My Dad, Rin Tin Tin picked up a small part as a household dog. The credits read: “Rin Tin Tin – Played by himself.”

Rin Tin Tin’s first starring role was in Where the North Begins (1923), in which he played alongside silent screen actress Claire Adams. This film was a huge success and has often been credited with saving Warner Bros. from bankruptcy. It was followed by 24 more screen appearances. Each of these films was very popular, making such a profit for Warner Bros. that Rin Tin Tin was called “the mortgage lifter” by studio insiders. A young screenwriter named Darryl F. Zanuck was involved in creating stories for Rin Tin Tin; the success of the films raised him to the position of film producer. In New York City, Mayor Jimmy Walker gave Rin Tin Tin a key to the city.

Rin Tin Tin was much sought after and was signed for endorsement deals. Dog food makers Ken-L Ration, Ken-L-Biskit, and Pup-E-Crumbles all featured him in their advertisements. Warner Bros. fielded fan letters by the thousands, sending back a glossy portrait signed with a paw print and a message written by Duncan: “Most faithfully, Rin Tin Tin.” In the 1920s, Rin Tin Tin’s success for Warner Bros. inspired several imitations from other studios looking to cash in on his popularity, notably RKO’s Ace the Wonder Dog, also a German Shepherd dog. Around the world, Rin Tin Tin was extremely popular because as a dog he was equally well understood by all viewers. At the time, silent films were easily adapted for various countries by simply changing the language of the intertitles. Rin Tin Tin’s films were widely distributed. Film historian Jan-Christopher Horak wrote that by 1927, Rin Tin Tin was the most popular actor with the very sophisticated film audience in Berlin.

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