Photos from the Great War Gallery

Handley Page O-type biplane CC025293

A Handley Page O-type biplane in a field, Horndean, Hampshire. These aircraft saw service during the First World War, initially with the Royal Naval Air Service to operate against shipping in the North Sea and Eastern Mediterranean. An improved version entered service with the RAF in 1918-19, but after the war several entered civilian service as transport aircraft. Photographed between 1918 and 1930 for the London Midland and Scottish Railway. This was originally thought to be a Vickers Vimy but an eagle-eyed viewer spotted the misidentification - thank you

Waring & Gillow Factory, August 1916 BL23600_002

WARING AND GILLOW FACTORY, White City, Hammersmith, London. A large crowd of people gathered outside the premises of Waring and Gillow in White City, converted for use as a munitions factory during the Great War. The furniture manufacturers, Waring and Gillow were formed in 1897 by the merger of Gillow of Lancaster and Waring of Liverpool. They established a reputation for supplying high quality furniture to some of the richest families in the country. During the First World War, Waring & Gillow (who commissioned this photograph) began producing goods for the war effort. Their factory at White City, made tents for the military. The company also manufactured ammunition belts for use with machine guns, nosebags for horses and protective clothing for use during gas attacks. Photographed by Bedford Lemere & Co. in August 1916

© Historic England

Machine gun troop BL24191_008

British cavalrymen from the 1st Life Guards with a Madsen Machine Rifle. A mounted soldier keeps the horses in the background. During the latter stages of the First World War British cavalry were expected to rapidly exploit break-throughs beyond enemy trench lines. They were equipped with light machine guns that could be deployed quickly. The Madsen was undergoing trials in London in May 1918, at the same time as this photograph was taken by Bedford Lemere and Co

© Historic England