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Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig talking to a Sergt. Major of the Gordon Highlanders who formed the Guard of Honour
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General Haig and the Gordon Highlanders' guard of honour, during World War I. Down the left half of the photograph are two long rows of soldiers for as far as the eye can see. They are standing at an angle to the camera. The soldiers nearest the photographer are carrying bagpipes instead of arms. The General and his aide are talking to the soldier in the middle of the photograph. Everyone is standing to attention except the General who appears quite jovial and relaxed. On the right of the photograph are train tracks and industrial buildings. The men are standing in some rough ground covered in scrub grass. ..After the Armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, the Gordon Highlanders took stock of their situation. Across the ranks nearly 30,000 men had suffered casualties. The 1st battalion was at Longueville, the 2nd battalion on the Piave, the 6/7th at Thu-Leveque and the 9th east of the Scheldt. The relief at armistice was so spontaneous that each battalion celebrated where they were...[Original reads: 'Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig talking to a Sergt. Major of the Gordon Highlanders who formed the Guard of Honour.']..digital.nls.uk/74547040 ( http://digital.nls.uk/74547040 )
World War I (WWI or WW1), also known as the First World War, or the Great War, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918. World War I Images From National Library of Schotland. These photographs form part of the papers of Field Marshal (Earl) Haig (1861-1928), held by the National Library of Scotland. More information is available from the Library's Digital Archive. Like many World War I generals, Haig remains a controversial figure. The collection contains diaries, papers and photographs from every part of Haig’s career, the Great War diaries being of special importance to historians. Photographs in the "Official Photographs" series (which were destined for publication and have captions on the back describing the image) are in black-and-white. World War I saw the development of a system of 'official’ reporting by professionals especially recruited into the forces. Initially reluctant to allow cameras near the fighting, it took some time for the authorities to appreciate the propaganda and recording potential of photography. These photographs provide us with an invaluable record of how the Government and Military wanted the war perceived. Official photographers were encouraged to record morale-boosting scenes of victory and comradeship. Despite the restrictions placed on them, official war photographers succeeded in giving the most comprehensive visual account of the war. It is important to remember that these images were propaganda; few that could depict the war in a disheartening or disconcerting way passed the censors. As a result the photograph taken was often posed. They were intended to reassure those at home and boost morale. They were printed in newspapers, and were intended to confirm that 'Tommy' was winning the war.
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