Army life through eyes of recruit in stunning photographs

Intimate shots of British Army life have showcased the finest photographers working with our military as part of an annual competition.

The revealing series of photographs features shows simulated conflict, training exercises and the Trooping of the Colour in pictures submitted for this year’s British Army Photographic Competition.

Bombardier Murray Kerr’s stunning still of servicemen battling with batons and shields contrasted with his snaps of them sleeping in bunks secured him first place in the Best Amateur Portfolio category.

The 45-year-old from Glasgow served as a gunner in Afghanistan has been a reservist photographer for 13 years and was one of 780 people to enter the competition. 

Entries, some of which can be seen below, also featured a portrait of a soldier’s piercing stare as he took part in Exercise Northern Strike in America.

The close-up was captured by Sergeant Jonathan Van Zyl, who was an infantry soldier based in Germany for 11 years. 

The father-of-two from Andover, Hampshire, said the picture was unplanned.  

It was one of those moments; you just saw it and you took it,’ the 35-year-old said.

‘It wasn’t planned or anything, but it works. I think it’s the soldier’s eyes, looking into his eyes, it draws you into it.’ 

Cry Havoc by Bombardier Murray Kerr captures simulated combat as cadets battle with batons and shields in this training exercise documented in his prize-winning portfolio 

Sergeant Jonathan Van Zyl, who was based in Germany for 11 years, captured this close-up during Exercise Northern Strike in America

Sergeant Jonathan Van Zyl, who was based in Germany for 11 years, captured this close-up during Exercise Northern Strike in America

Into the Storm by Sergeant Rupert Frere gives a glimpse into the cockpit in the series of pictures providing an insight into Army life rarely seen by the public

Into the Storm by Sergeant Rupert Frere gives a glimpse into the cockpit in the series of pictures providing an insight into Army life rarely seen by the public

An aerial shot of Chelsea Pensioners paying their respects at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday got first prize in the 'open to the public' category. It was taken by Royal Navy photographer Petty Officer Owen Cooban, 39, from Crawley. 

An aerial shot of Chelsea Pensioners paying their respects at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday got first prize in the ‘open to the public’ category. It was taken by Royal Navy photographer Petty Officer Owen Cooban, 39, from Crawley. 

It's a Good Life, by Cadet Sergeant Jess Tappenden-Rowell, shows cadets celebrating their achievements as they take the first steps toward careers in the British Army

It’s a Good Life, by Cadet Sergeant Jess Tappenden-Rowell, shows cadets celebrating their achievements as they take the first steps toward careers in the British Army

Blowing her own Trumpet by Jonathan Van Zyl from Hampshire, who was one of 780 people to enter the British Army competition 

Blowing her own Trumpet by Jonathan Van Zyl from Hampshire, who was one of 780 people to enter the British Army competition 

Richie Willis called this shot Less Emissions, providing a ground-level perspective of a parachute drop in his submission for the annual competition 

Richie Willis called this shot Less Emissions, providing a ground-level perspective of a parachute drop in his submission for the annual competition 

Bombardier Murray Kerr photographed these soldiers while they were sleeping after a training exercise at Longmoor Training Area in Hampshire

Bombardier Murray Kerr photographed these soldiers while they were sleeping after a training exercise at Longmoor Training Area in Hampshire

Corporal Darren Legg shows the humanitarian side of Army life as servicemen assist in the clean-up following Hurricane Irma

Corporal Darren Legg shows the humanitarian side of Army life as servicemen assist in the clean-up following Hurricane Irma

Infantry Battle School, Brecon, Wales. The Section Commanders Battle Course 1603, staff and students, are pictured on Fan Dance, a section level competition over 18km in the Brecon Beacons

Infantry Battle School, Brecon, Wales. The Section Commanders Battle Course 1603, staff and students, are pictured on Fan Dance, a section level competition over 18km in the Brecon Beacons

Bolt, by Sergeant Rupert Frere, shows horses during training at the seaside as captured for 2017's British Army Photographic Competition

Bolt, by Sergeant Rupert Frere, shows horses during training at the seaside as captured for 2017’s British Army Photographic Competition

Boxing by Norman Brown shows that military service isn't all about what happens in battle, capturing the extra-curricular side of Army life

Boxing by Norman Brown shows that military service isn’t all about what happens in battle, capturing the extra-curricular side of Army life

Prepare to Fight shows soldiers carrying their equipment in a forest, encapsulating the competition's intention to highlight episodes of Army life rarely seen by the public

Prepare to Fight shows soldiers carrying their equipment in a forest, encapsulating the competition’s intention to highlight episodes of Army life rarely seen by the public

Another shot from Darren Legg shows the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the strongest Cape Verde-type hurricane in the Atlantic since Wilma in 2005

Another shot from Darren Legg shows the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, the strongest Cape Verde-type hurricane in the Atlantic since Wilma in 2005

Satisfied Soldiers by Sergeant Rupert Frere exhibits a gentler side to Army life as the group appear relaxed and content 

Satisfied Soldiers by Sergeant Rupert Frere exhibits a gentler side to Army life as the group appear relaxed and content 

Sergeant Rupert Frere's All the Queen's Horses appears to show servicemen during inspection while horses stand patiently  in line

Sergeant Rupert Frere’s All the Queen’s Horses appears to show servicemen during inspection while horses stand patiently  in line

Surround the Enemy, shot by Sergeant Rupert Frere, shows soldiers wading through water during a training exercise 

Surround the Enemy, shot by Sergeant Rupert Frere, shows soldiers wading through water during a training exercise 

Riot shields and protective helmets are donned by baton-wielding servicemen stalking through the night during this exercise captured by Corporal Mark Larner in Waiting for the Off

Riot shields and protective helmets are donned by baton-wielding servicemen stalking through the night during this exercise captured by Corporal Mark Larner in Waiting for the Off

Advance to Contact by Sergeant Rupert Frere captures soldiers stalking through forestry in this entree for the British Army Photographic Competition

Advance to Contact by Sergeant Rupert Frere captures soldiers stalking through forestry in this entree for the British Army Photographic Competition

Guy Butler, a contractor based at MOD Lyneham, titled this shot Fist Bump and is currently working as a photographer at the Defence School of Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

Guy Butler, a contractor based at MOD Lyneham, titled this shot Fist Bump and is currently working as a photographer at the Defence School of Electrical Mechanical Engineers.

Jungle is Massive by Sergeant Rupert Frere shares its title with a song by MC Vapour famously used in the comedy film Ali G In Da House

Jungle is Massive by Sergeant Rupert Frere shares its title with a song by MC Vapour famously used in the comedy film Ali G In Da House

Monochrome close-up shot 18,000 ft by Ben Houston shows a masked soldier standing next to a propeller in a collection submitted to the annual competition 

Monochrome close-up shot 18,000 ft by Ben Houston shows a masked soldier standing next to a propeller in a collection submitted to the annual competition 

Sister Selfie by Lucy Waller shows that a method of photography made famous by social media has infiltrated Army life too

Sister Selfie by Lucy Waller shows that a method of photography made famous by social media has infiltrated Army life too

British Soldiers 3rd Battalion, The Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, conduct house clearance drills on exercise Northern Strike

British Soldiers 3rd Battalion, The Princess of Wales’s Royal Regiment, conduct house clearance drills on exercise Northern Strike

Strategy Requires Thought by Bombardier Murray Kerr shows a pensive, quiet side to military service in this thoughtful picture

Strategy Requires Thought by Bombardier Murray Kerr shows a pensive, quiet side to military service in this thoughtful picture

Corporal Darren Legg once again showcases the aid work carried out in light of Hurricane Irma as one of his competition entrees shows soldiers handing out bottled water 

Corporal Darren Legg once again showcases the aid work carried out in light of Hurricane Irma as one of his competition entrees shows soldiers handing out bottled water 

Flying Horsemen beautifully captures this equestrian and her animal leaping over a barrier in this photograph by Sergeant Rupert Frere

Flying Horsemen beautifully captures this equestrian and her animal leaping over a barrier in this photograph by Sergeant Rupert Frere

Sergeant Rupert Frere's enthusiasm for equestrian activity also inspired him to take this photograph, entitled Why the Long Face?

Sergeant Rupert Frere’s enthusiasm for equestrian activity also inspired him to take this photograph, entitled Why the Long Face?

Maintenance work is carried out by British Army personnel in light of Hurricane Irma, in this shot by Corporal Darren Legg

Maintenance work is carried out by British Army personnel in light of Hurricane Irma, in this shot by Corporal Darren Legg

Boom by Sergeant Rupert Frere shows sparks fly and smoke billow as canon fire through the air in a nod to the history of Army service 

Boom by Sergeant Rupert Frere shows sparks fly and smoke billow as canon fire through the air in a nod to the history of Army service 

Is this picture taken by Jason Bryant, the photographer captures the Trooping of the Colour, offering an intimate insight into one of the Army's proudest traditions  

Is this picture taken by Jason Bryant, the photographer captures the Trooping of the Colour, offering an intimate insight into one of the Army’s proudest traditions  

The comically name Waiting to Take a Leak was captured by Sergeant Rupert Frere and shows soldiers patiently waiting in line

The comically name Waiting to Take a Leak was captured by Sergeant Rupert Frere and shows soldiers patiently waiting in line

This artistic shot was captured by Adam Blackmore and shows a serviceman's face reflected in a ceremonial weapon. It is appropriately titled Reflection

This artistic shot was captured by Adam Blackmore and shows a serviceman’s face reflected in a ceremonial weapon. It is appropriately titled Reflection

LCL Joe Taylor entered this picture - Casualty - which offers a dramatic snapshot of the efforts undertaken to retrieve wounded soldiers from the battlefield 

LCL Joe Taylor entered this picture – Casualty – which offers a dramatic snapshot of the efforts undertaken to retrieve wounded soldiers from the battlefield 

Pegasus Company candidates are seen at the end of the Log Race in difficult weather conditions on Catterick Training Area, North Yorkshire

Pegasus Company candidates are seen at the end of the Log Race in difficult weather conditions on Catterick Training Area, North Yorkshire

Caught off Guard features a rare moment of calm in Army life, as LCL Joe Taylor's portrait shows a soldier folding his arms in a moment of brief respite 

Caught off Guard features a rare moment of calm in Army life, as LCL Joe Taylor’s portrait shows a soldier folding his arms in a moment of brief respite 

Move shows the moment a soldier is required to break away from his hiding place in this intense photograph by LCL Joe Taylor

Move shows the moment a soldier is required to break away from his hiding place in this intense photograph by LCL Joe Taylor

Fight explores the off-duty life of this soldier, who uses his time away from training to keep fit for the battlefield by boxing

Fight explores the off-duty life of this soldier, who uses his time away from training to keep fit for the battlefield by boxing

Summer Shower by Guy Butler captures a calm soldier still in the face of oncoming rain as he stands alone on the landscape

Summer Shower by Guy Butler captures a calm soldier still in the face of oncoming rain as he stands alone on the landscape

Let's Box by Guy Butler shows two servicemen slug it out in the ring while their peers and superior officers watch the spectacle 

Let’s Box by Guy Butler shows two servicemen slug it out in the ring while their peers and superior officers watch the spectacle 

Soldiers squat in the grass and aim their guns while flanked by a helicopter in HLS Secure, a photograph taken by Sergeant Rupert Frere 

Soldiers squat in the grass and aim their guns while flanked by a helicopter in HLS Secure, a photograph taken by Sergeant Rupert Frere 

 

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