We always get psyched when we stumble upon a colorized photo series, since it’s a great opportunity to reimagine past in a more vivid, colorful perspective.
Tom Marshall from PhotograFix did a fascinating job colorizing a massive collection of photos depicting the Welsh Guards, for Trevor Royle’s book ‘Bearskins, Bayonets and Body Armour: Welsh Guards, 1915-2015‘.
“The project was a massive undertaking and required hours of research into the colours of uniforms and equipment. I was lucky enough to have the help of ex-Guards officer and writer Nicholas Drummond to get the colours as authentic as possible.” writes Marshal on his site.
The text accompanying the following photos includes information taken from Trevor Royle’s book, which can be purchased here.
The Welsh Guards came into existence on 26 February 1915 by Royal Warrant of His Majesty King George V in order to include Wales in the national component to the Foot Guards,“..though the order to raise the regiment had been given by the King to Earl Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, on 6 February 1915.” They were the last of the Guards to be created, with the Irish Guards coming into being in 1900. Just three days later the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards mounted its first King’s Guard at Buckingham Palace on 1 March 1915 – St David’s Day.
On 17 August 1915 the 1st Battalion sailed for France to join the Guards Division to commence its participation in the First World War. Its first battle was some months after its initial arrival, at Loos on 27 September 1915. The regiment’s first Victoria Cross came two years later in July 1917 awarded to Sergeant Robert Bye
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All colourised images © Welsh Guards Archives / Tom Marshall 2014-16.