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Description: | [signed] & Fine Art Trade Guild embossed stamp
text: (on tissue fly-leaf) THE COMMUNICATION TRENCH
The communication trench is the place which affords opportunity for the display of all the sporting qualities of the British soldier. Much
has already been written about these trenches and the various ways they are constructed. A guide is always required by a stranger entering
these mazes. Unpleasant surprises crop up at many points. The sniper is a constant danger, and cover from the enemy's bullets scanty. In
the drawing I show one of these trenches through which I myself passed. It is a long double wall of sand-bags form 3 feet to 4 feet high.
The height of the sand-bags renders it advisable to proceed in a stooping fashion, bent almost double. Many of these trenches cannot be
used during the day; in others you may even lead a pony through without undue danger. Outside in all directions there is the horror of war
in full display. I saw the body of a horse which was slowly decomposing and sinking into the earth, yet it could not be removed, because it
was certain death for anyone attempting to remove it. An officer said to me "If you are tired of life, try to reach it" and yet the body
was only a few yards away. Soldiers are passing and repassing, perspiring, laughing, joking and teasing one another, whilst every now and
then the noise is drowned by a voice, "Keep your head down, you d---d fool!". -F. Matania.
A portfolio of twelve prints with printed tissue fly-leaves bearing titles and descriptions. This includes an
introduction to the work of Matania (with photograph) written by Clement K Shorter, Editor and Director, The Sphere, dated 30 September
1916. | Publisher: | http://www.iwm.org.uk | Subjects: | Action Military Personnel British Army trench / defences | Source: | Imperial War Museum | Creator: | Matania, Fortunino | Identifier: | http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/o... | Go to resource |
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