Near the village of Bouzincourt, France, are underground caves where soldiers spent time during the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Some left inscriptions to mark their presence.
Near the village of Bouzincourt, France, are underground caves where soldiers spent time during the 1916 Battle of the Somme. Some left inscriptions to mark their presence.
Jeffrey Gusky
Jeff Gusky, who took these photos, says he documented 829 names, including about 500 Canadians and between 250-300 Britons.
Jeff Gusky, who took these photos, says he documented 829 names, including about 500 Canadians and between 250-300 Britons.
Jeffrey Gusky
The Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in world history, with more than 1 million casualties. Gusky believes many people who left their inscriptions died soon after.
The Somme was one of the bloodiest battles in world history, with more than 1 million casualties. Gusky believes many people who left their inscriptions died soon after.
Jeffrey Gusky
Some inscriptions appear to be mere scratches on the cave walls ...
Some inscriptions appear to be mere scratches on the cave walls ...
Jeffrey Gusky
... while others are more elaborate, including designs and drawings.
... while others are more elaborate, including designs and drawings.
Jeffrey Gusky
The Canadian soldiers came from all over the country, including Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
The Canadian soldiers came from all over the country, including Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.
Jeffrey Gusky
"B.E.F." stands for "British Expeditionary Force." The British suffered more than 57,000 casualties the first day of the battle, July 1, 1916.
"B.E.F." stands for "British Expeditionary Force." The British suffered more than 57,000 casualties the first day of the battle, July 1, 1916.
Jeffrey Gusky
Some of the British soldiers served in the "HLI," or Highland Light Infantry.
Some of the British soldiers served in the "HLI," or Highland Light Infantry.
Jeffrey Gusky
Unlike the well-organized underground city at Naours, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.cnn.com%2F2015%2F04%2F06%2Fworld%2Ffeat-wwi-graffiti-found%2F">where Gusky has also taken photographs</a>, the caves at Bouzincourt are raw and forbidding.
Unlike the well-organized underground city at Naours, where Gusky has also taken photographs, the caves at Bouzincourt are raw and forbidding.
Jeffrey Gusky
Gusky is among the rare members of the public who have been permitted to see the cave interiors.
Gusky is among the rare members of the public who have been permitted to see the cave interiors.
Jeffrey Gusky
The Bouzincourt area is near the Somme's front lines.
The Bouzincourt area is near the Somme's front lines.
Jeffrey Gusky
With the caves and nearby cemeteries, "You see death all around you," Gusky said in an interview.
With the caves and nearby cemeteries, "You see death all around you," Gusky said in an interview.
Jeffrey Gusky
But even there, some left signs of hope and love.
But even there, some left signs of hope and love.
Jeffrey Gusky
Among the cemetery markers: One for Lionel Lupton, an ancestor of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Among the cemetery markers: One for Lionel Lupton, an ancestor of Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge.
Jeffrey Gusky