Newspapers in the Trenches, by Frederic Villiers (1851–1922). 1915. Source: Villiers 205.
Naturally, as a correspondent who sent back sketches and descriptions to show what was happening at on the war front, Villiers was fascinated by the strategies used to distribute newspapers in the trenches themselves:
Owing to the narrowness of the boyaux or communication trenches on the Western Front, which led or wormed their way for miles into the main line trench, in many instances baby perambulators were used for the purpose of carrying the latest editions of the Parisian press to the poilus in the fighting sectors. [203]
Here as elsewhere, Villiers is observing a French contingent ("poilus" being the usual nickname of the French infantrymen, which Villiers himself uses routinely). The soldiers are seen, even in these uncomfortable and dangerous circumstances, avidly reading the news brought to them on makeshift conveyances. There is some irony in the use of prams, associated with young women and innocent, helpess infants, in this context and for this purpose.
Bibliography
Villiers, Frederic. Days of Glory: the sketch book of a veteran correspondent at the front. New York: George H. Doran, 1920. Internet Archive, from a copy in the State Library of Pennsylvania. Web. 29 April 2025.
Created 29 April 2025