Contributed by
Ian Harcourt Lewis
1. Introduction
Some 15 years ago I bought a Cafe in Preston, Lancashire. As part of the decor I hung up a lot of pictures, including some of WW1. These generated quite a bit of interest among our clientele. Among these was an elderly Gentleman who, after some discussion, brought in a shoe box.In the box was an old, broken, wooden, half plate camera; a plain lined notebook which had been converted into a photo album; a Belgian soldiers service book and a cardboard tube containing a number of certificates.
The Gentleman told me that they had belonged to his wifes uncle, Henri Van den Bussche, who I believe had married an English girl at some point and came over here. He claimed that the camera was the one which he used in WW1 to take the pics in the trenches which follow. I privately doubt this. Most of the pictures are quite small, more likely taken by a 'box brownie' type. I would say he developed them himself for many were badly fixed and have now faded out.
Apart from the pictures in the album there are a number which were loose, including the equestrian portrait and those of Lloyd George. All are of the Belgian front. Perhaps you, the visitor of this site, can help us to find more information concerning these pics.
If so please mail to Ian Harcourt Lewis or Belgian Fronts, thank you!The album starts with the pictures of the gun taken at Ramscappelle in July 1916 and continue through to July 1917. They will be presented in date order. Having exhausted those in the album which are captioned, a separate section will display the loose photographs to which a caption cannot be ascribed. The quality varies, some are very small, circa 4cm sq.
2. Henri Van den Bussche
There is one pic with Henri's name on the back, no date. Since he is wearing front-stripes on his left arm it is probably taken after WWI.
Henri Van den Bussche
Some parts in his 'Livret de mobilisation' are illegible but we can read:
- Nom, Naam : Henri Van den Bussche
- Grade, Graad : Maréchal de Logis
- Matricule, Stamnummer : xxx/1431
- Classe de Milice, Militieklasse : 1916
- Unité, Eenheid: 10° Régiment d'Artillerie
- Né à, Geboren te : Berchem bij Antwerpen
- Le, de : 17 april 1897
- Prénoms du Père, Voornamen des vaders : Charles
- Nom et prénoms de la mére, Naam en voornamen der moeder : Monton Stephanie
- Dernier domicile, Laatste woonplaats : Antwerpen
- Date de l'entrée de l'armée, Datum van inlijving in het leger : 17 februari 1916
- Promotions, Bevorderingen
- Brigadier : 09 augustus 1917
- Maréchal de Logis : 15 februari 1918
- Le 16 novembre 1918 cité a l'orde du jour de l'armée et le xx.xx.xx decoré de la Croix de Guerre, pour le courage et le devouemment dont il a fait preuve au cours de l'offensive des Flandres, commence le 28 Sept 1918.
- Médaille de la Victoire : 20 augustus 1919
- Médaille commemorative : 24 december 1919
- Chevrons et Fouragère, Strepen en Nestels : 07 februari 21
- Transferré au 4° Régiment d'Artillerie : 24 december 1916
- Envoi en congé illimité, Onbepaald verlof verleend : 01 Mei 1921
3. Lloyd George
The pictures in the album of Lloyd George (disembarking in a harbour) are particularly interesting, and odd, they look professional. The Naval Officer at the front looks very much like Jellicoe. Perhaps some Lloyd George buff will be able to pinpont the exact occasion. Whether Henri bought them or acquired them I don't know. They are of different size and quality to the others and look very professional, but they are not postcards, they are definitely photos, printed on photo paper. If Henri did take them, it was on a different occasion to the rest. Similarly there is one of British troops embarking/disembarking in a harbour. (It is a very dark image).
Lloyd George, ready to disembark.
Lloyd George, disembarking.
British troops embarking/disembarking in a harbour.
If you have information concerning these pics please mail to Ian Harcourt Lewis or Belgian Fronts, thank you!
