Superb WW1 image library online

[RobL]

Fantastic collection of First World War images, many fascinating subjects and the copies come up large, unlike the tiny photos on the IWM website, from the National Library of Scotland

http://digital.nls.uk/pageturner.cfm?id=74546606

Four different galleries, just select a different photographer. I could look at these all day, and in fact, I think I will! Among them are these superb photographs of French Renault 1915 armoured cars armed with a 37mm cannon (the same body was fitted to 1915 Peugeot cars, and both were fitted with either a 37mm gun or a Hotchkiss machine gun) supporting British troops

http://digital.nls.uk/pageturner.cfm?id=74547606

http://digital.nls.uk/pageturner.cfm?id=74547610

http://digital.nls.uk/pageturner.cfm?id=74547608

This photo is reputed to have been taken within around 100 yards of the enemy. The British style petrol cans strapped to the front of the armoured car are interesting, presumably to help increase the range of the vehicle.

[Seadog]

Thanks for bringing these superb photos to our attention. The ability to zoom and pan makes them even more interesting.

Norman

[RobL]

Yes, as well as the fact when you click on them in the first place you get a decent sized image, as opposed to the tiny ones on the IWM site

[roel22]

Great site, thanks

Roel

[David Filsell]

In view of the thread about the IWM refusing to release images for colourisation I wonder how the NLS would feel, equally does anyone have any details on the charges for use in publications? It looks a teriffic archive of images - many of which I have not seen before

David

[JPAE]

Wonderful pictures. Thanks, Rob.

Phil.

[robertsim]

Fantastic find Rob, cheers for the link. Many an evening hour to be whiled away methinks!

Rob

[JimSmithson]

Very impressive! Thank you for the link.

Jim

[Havrincourt]

Rob, a great find

Thank you for the links

Andy

[Chris Foster]

Thanks for posting Rob. Andy's right, a great find !!

Regards

Chris

[fritz]

Indeed, very good pics. Thank you for sharing it .

Fritz

[wig]

I have rarely seen a local photographic collection more finely displayed than that on the Bassetlaw Musuem Site. Recommended for a visit in order to encourage your own local musuem to do the same thing. You can, for example, search it by Regiments and find photographs of virtually every local soldier who died in, e.g. the Sherwood Foresters....

check it out:

http://www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk/index.asp?page=welchman

[mick1234]

Agreat web site well done

mick

[annswabey]

The Bassetlaw site is brilliant, so thanks for that.

[River97]

Wow, I've just had a look and got in trouble from the wife as I wouldn't get off when the OC home front called.

Lots of good stuff there.

Cheers Andy.

[Copper6197]

Both sites are abolutely amazing. Both new to me, the imagery in the first site is brilliant and clarity is superb.

George

[Guest kate dinnin]

I am trying to trace photos of my Great Grandfather, Norman MacWhinnie, who died in France in September 1914. He was in the KOSB and was a Sargeant Major, I believe. I have searched under his name here, but not seen anything obvious - does anyone have anything? I would very much like to find something for my Mother, as it would mean a great deal to her. Thanks.

[Borden Battery]

Hello RobL

This website will be added to the first edition of the 2011 CEF Study Group List of Recommended Great War Websites. Nice find. You will be listed as the person who recommended this website.

Regards

Borden Battery

[Bernard_Lewis]

Hi Kate; you might have more luck if you post this afresh on the Forum under the 'Soldiers' section, quoting his name and regiment in the title.

That said I'm not sure of you'll have seen this:

http://www.cwgc.org/search/casualty_details.aspx?casualty=578512

He won a Military Cross (an award for officers) and a Distinguished Conduct Medal (an award for other ranks I think - so maybe he started as a private etc. and got promoted).

Local newspapers in the town where he lived might have an image but are hard to track as you have to plod through the papers one by one in the hope that he might feature.

Bernard

[Bernard_Lewis]

You're in luck! There is a photo of him - and an extensive write up - in De Ruvigny's Roll of Honour. This is available on Ancestry - which is probably free at your local library.

The man mentioned was married to Elizabeth and the son of James of Ayr? Sgt Major Macwhinnie lived at Dumfries? It looks like him to me but you need to check these details.

If you need more info let me know but Ancestry is your starting point.

Bernard

[SWorrall]

Tiny thumbnail, I'm afraid, but may suffice to whet your appetite

From de Ruvigny's, as referred to previously by Bernard.

"MacWhinnie, Norman Henry D.C.M.

RSM No 5177, 2nd bn KOSB, only son of James Tait MacWhinnie of Ayr, Marine Engineer, by his wife Elizabeth (14 St. Michael St., Dumfries) daughter of the late John Carruthers, of Maxwellbank, Kircudbrightshire.

Born Glencaple, co. Dumfries, 9th August 1877

Educated St. Josephs College, Dumfries, subsequently entering the office of Charles McKie, the Sheriff clerk.

He attached himself to the Dumfries Volunteers and as soon as he had reached the age of 18 joined the 1st bn of the Scottish Borderers at York, 22nd Jan 1895, being promoted Corporal the following year.

During the South African War he accompanied his regt to the front and served with Lord Roberts column all the way to Pretoria, passing through the campaign without a scratch and receiving the Queens medal with three clasps and the Kings medal with two clasps. He also took part at the engagement at Karee Siding near Bloemfontein in which the Scottish Borderers were pretty cut up, and for this gained the Distinguished Conduct Medal.

In Jan 1900 he became Sergeant and in the following year Colour Sergeant and while stationed at Cairo in 1908 Quartermaster-Sergeant, having in the meantime seen service in Egypt and the Soudan (sic) .

His final promotion came when he left Khartoumm to take up the Sergeant-majorship of the 2nd bn KOSB at Berwick in 1910.

On the outbreak of war he was offered a commission, but preferred to stay with his regt, with which he proceeded to the Front, being killed at the Aisne river 13th September 1914. he was buried about 2 miles from Saarcy.

He was mentioned in Field-Marshal Sir John French's despatch of 9th October 1914 and awarded the Military Cross and the French Medaille Militaire. He also held the regulation medal for Long Service & Good Conduct, and the King's Coronation Medal.

He married at the Roman Catholic Chapel, Belfast 28th April 1904, Caroline Christina, daughter of William Hart, 1st class Staff-Sergeant-Major A.S.C. and had a son and daughter, Norman, born Cairo 29th Jan 1908 and Elizabeth Madge, born Colchester, 1st December 1905."

So he was never promoted to commissioned rank, turned it down in fact. At that time the Military Cross was reserved for commissioned officers. Ranks generally were awarded the Military Medal. So it's a mark of the man that he was awarded the Cross.

The bn was part of 13 Brigade in 5th Division, which formed part of Smith-Dorrien's II Corps at the time of the Aisne battle. On September 13th they were in action near Sermoise.

Simon