WWI photos show weary soldiers enjoying sport

The horrors of World War I are not easy to forget but these stunning pictures show just how important sport was to boosting the morale of soldiers.

These black-and-white images provide an insight into the role that sport played in helping troops cope with the difficulties of war while as they play a game of football or cricket.

Other striking images show how British soldiers enjoy a swim near Aveluy Wood in 1916 – where the Battle of the Somme which killed more than more than one million people took place just months later.

The football team of the Third Army Trench Mortar School pose for a group photograph in Saint-Pol-sur-Ternoise close to the Western Front, May 1917

A British general is about to kick off a friendly football match between the British and Italian troops on the Italian Front in 1917

A British general is about to kick off a friendly football match between the British and Italian troops on the Italian Front in 1917

Two football players battle for control in match between the 1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and the 1/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, as soldiers scramble to get a view of the action on the Italian Front, Trissino, Italy, 1918

Two football players battle for control in match between the 1/7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment and the 1/7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment, as soldiers scramble to get a view of the action on the Italian Front, Trissino, Italy, 1918

The famous football game between British and German forces on Christmas Day 1914 in ‘no man’s land’ is one of the key events which help encapsulate the importance of sport on both sides.

Sport was used by soldiers to help pass time and boost morale, an attempt to try to take their minds off the death and destruction around them. 

Even when organised on an adhoc basis, sports helped provided a much needed distraction as well as helping to keep them fit for the rigours of combat. 

Men of the 9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, playing rugby in France, August 1917

Men of the 9th Battalion, Highland Light Infantry, playing rugby in France, August 1917

It was not only British troops which enjoyed sports, as Australian soldiers play a game of rugby in Barleux, France

It was not only British troops which enjoyed sports, as Australian soldiers play a game of rugby in Barleux, France

The games played by soldiers also reduced the level of discipline within the military ranks, providing some much needed relief.

And with troops from the US joining the war in 1917, it helped introduce other Allied nations to sports such as basketball.

Sport provided momentary relief to the brave soldiers, with the true nature of war not very far away. 

A boxing match taking place between British troops at Mont St. Eloi, France, as dozens of soldiers in attendance look on

A boxing match taking place between British troops at Mont St. Eloi, France, as dozens of soldiers in attendance look on

These smiling group of soldiers from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry play a game cricket in Salonika, Greece

These smiling group of soldiers from the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry play a game cricket in Salonika, Greece

British Army troops play a football match on Christmas Day in Greece in 1915. Team sports gave soldiers a chance to work on their teamwork and bond in the most hostile of atmospheres

British Army troops play a football match on Christmas Day in Greece in 1915. Team sports gave soldiers a chance to work on their teamwork and bond in the most hostile of atmospheres

A football match between officers and other ranks being played out in Salonika, Greece, Christmas Day, 1915

A football match between officers and other ranks being played out in Salonika, Greece, Christmas Day, 1915

A soldier heads a ball towards the makeshift net during an inter-company football match on the Balkan Front on Christmas Day, 1916

A soldier heads a ball towards the makeshift net during an inter-company football match on the Balkan Front on Christmas Day, 1916

Cricket was also played by troops in Salonika, Greece, as this picture from 1916 shows. Soldiers even had shin pads and a wicket for their game

Cricket was also played by troops in Salonika, Greece, as this picture from 1916 shows. Soldiers even had shin pads and a wicket for their game

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