Rachelle Black Photography

03/03/2025

Fluff with an attitude

11/16/2024

The final memorial post for now - these images finally made it out of my ever growing junk folder and now have an honorary place on my portfolio (link in bio). If you have time, why not take a peruse through! All images are free for viewing and can be purchased through the linked store.

Enjoy!

11/11/2024

Today, on November 11, we remember the day the Armistice was signed in 1918, bringing an end to World War I. This day marks the moment when opposing forces laid down their arms in Compiègne, France, symbolized by poignant memorials and sites that stand as solemn tributes to all who served and sacrificed.

The Alsace Lorraine monument shows the Imperial Eagle of Germany being cut down by the sword of France, representing the loss to Germany and honors those who fought with bravery and resilience. The statue of Marshall Foch overlooking the clearing in which the Armistice was signed commemorates the supreme Allied commander who united the forces together and commanded the push back against the German offensive.
The train tracks in the forest of Compiègne remind us of the historic railway cars where leaders from both sides met to sign the Armistice agreement, sealing the peace.

As we reflect today, let’s honor their courage and remember the price of peace. Lest we Forget.

11/09/2024

The Fricourt German War Cemetery is dedicated to those who lost their lives in World War 1. It stands as a solemn reminder of history and humanity's toll during times of conflict. Unlike traditional cemeteries, German war cemeteries have distinctive features that set them apart.

At the back of many cemeteries, you’ll find mass graves where thousands of soldiers rest together. This practice was a solution to the massive number of casualties, especially during World War I. The names of the fallen are often listed on plaques, symbolizing unity in sacrifice.

The headstones here are often somber and simple, typically made of dark stone or metal crosses, in contrast to the lighter marble gravestones in Allied cemeteries. Each cross represents 4 individuals, while the stone tombstones represent 2 Jewish individuals; reflecting the vast scale of the losses and the philosophy of shared remembrance. Many soldiers were taken from here and brought to Germany and given full military burials once the war was over. Today, the German War Commision take care of the upkeep and maintainance of this cemetery.

It serves as a poignant reminder of the past and a call for peace and reconciliation.

11/08/2024

In modern-day Flanders Fields, you'll find poppies growing amongst the crops. The vibrant colour blended in the landscape is a timeless tribute to those we remember

11/06/2024

Today, we pause to honor the bravery and sacrifice of the men from the 16th (Irish) Division, commemorated at the Guillemont Memorial in France. It marks the villages where thousands of Irish soldiers fought heroically to capture Guillemont and Ginchy in September 1916, enduring unthinkable losses in one of WWI’s most brutal battles.

But while their courage was celebrated abroad, many of these men returned home to an Ireland in political turmoil and were met not with honor but ridicule. Due to shifting views and rising nationalist sentiments, soldiers who had once fought shoulder-to-shoulder under Irish colors for a common cause were often viewed with suspicion or, worse, as traitors. They faced discrimination, isolation, and erasure from the very society they sought to protect.

The Guillemont Memorial isn’t just a reminder of their courage on the battlefield—it stands as a testament to their resilience in the face of rejection upon returning home. Today, let us remember these soldiers not only as heroes of war but as symbols of unity and endurance against adversity. This Memorial reminds the village of their liberators and the courage and sacrifice they gave for their country.

11/06/2024

At the Canadian National Vimy Ridge Memorial site, the preserved trenches and tunnels are a powerful reminder of the courage and bravery of those who fought. Walking through these trenches and especially the tunnels was like stepping into a time capsule. What shocked me was how close the opposition's trenches where in places, I'm a relatively short person, yet if I stood on tiptoe, I was able to see over the top of the trench and over to where the enemy trenches were.

The tunnels were vital for communications lines from the front lines to officers who were stationed further back. Today the tunnels have been fortified and lights added for safety, but everything else remains the same. Seeing the lines representing communication wires and stepping in the same ruts as the soldiers who ran messages to and from the front lines ran chills through me and connected me to history in a way that words alone cannot.

11/05/2024

The Uslter Tower in Thiepval, France, is a memorial honoring the 37th Ulster Division. They played a vital role in the Battle of the Somme on July 1, 1916. It's modeled after the Helen's Tower in County Down, Northern Reland, which was a training site for many troops. It became one of the first memorials on the Western Front, opened in 1921. Inside the Tower are memorials, plaques, and flags honoring these brave men and their heritage.

11/04/2024

11/03/2024

The Beaumont-Hamel Memorial is dedicated to the commemoration of the Newfoundland Regiment. The 84 acre preserved battlefield surrounds the ground where the regiment made their unsuccessful attack on July 1, 1916 on the first day of the Somme. The battle only lasted 30 minutes and of the 800 Newfoundlanders that went, only 68 answered roll call the next morning.

Many of the trenches and artilary craters on the site have been left untouched, allowing visitors can see the battlefield as it was. Many of the grounds have been fenced off due to the sheer magnitude of live ammunition still below the surface

10/07/2024

A little paw-trait session

09/26/2024

Almost missed this little guy in the grasses

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