TRENCH LIFE THROUGH A LENS

We delve into a selection of the most striking snapshots from the trenches of World War I

A WELCOME SIGHT

The arrival of letters and parcels from home was a highlight for soldiers stationed on the front line. The British Army Postal Service delivered around 2 billion letters during the war, with more than 19,000 mailbags crossing the Channel every day in 1917 alone.

TRENCH TAKEOVER

Trench raids were a regular part of the ever-evolving nature of trench warfare and could provide essential information on the enemy's moves. Here, German troops salvage belongings left behind by Russian forces on the Eastern Front in c1915.

WARTIME FESTIVITIES

Despite being far away from loved ones, soldiers on both sides of the conflict did their best to make Christmas as cheery as they could. Here, German troops gather around a Christmas tree in c1914, possibly during training.

DESPERATE DENTISTRY

A bad tooth is a bad tooth, even when you're at war. This German soldier, pictured c1915, decides to have some dental work done while away from the front line - much to the quiet amusement of the fellow soldier next to him.

CLEANING UP

Maintaining basic standards of cleanliness was essential to sustaining morale, no matter how basic the facilities. Here, French soldiers take a morning wash on the Western Front - albeit well away from any danger - in c1915.

KEEPING OUT THE COLD