War Diaries Talk

Personal Cameras at the Front

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    This set of orders includes a notice that all personal cameras must be sent home and will be inspected to be sure that they have no film in them. These are the cameras featured in Richard Van Emden's book Tommy's War which is illustrated entirely with photographs taken by soldiers of all ranks on the Western Front. (If you are not familiar with the book, it is a collection of not only these photographs but excerpts from personal diaries, journals, and letters home.)

    This problem arose because Kodak had released the relatively affordable Vest Pocket Camera in 1912, which made it possible for the men on the Front to take a camera with them. https://blog.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/the-vest-pocket-kodak-was-the-soldiers-camera/ However, the high command was concerned that photographs/exposed film would fall into the hands of spies, so cameras were forbidden. Yet, somehow enough remained to provide photos throughout the war.

    Posted

  • marie.eklidvirginmedia.com by marie.eklidvirginmedia.com

    Cameras had already been around for quite a few years when war started but they were not owned by many people. Up until 1916, taking photographs on the front line was banned in case they helped the enemy to find out secrets. However, after 1916, official photographers were appointed by the army to take photographs and moving film on the front line. Many still exist today.

    I have Richard Van Emden's book Tommy's War - It makes an interesting read.

    Posted

  • cyngast by cyngast moderator

    Certainly cameras had been around for many years, but the advantage of the Vest Pocket Kodak was that it truly fit in a pocket, making it easy to carry to France--and later to hide after cameras had been banned.

    Posted