About John Hampden Bingley’s 1944 WWII photos

Jack had a book of over 200 photos he took while in the British Army from about June to September 1944 (see photos by clicking here).

The photos depict Jack’s journey through France and Belgium, following closely behind the Allies’ frontline (see maps by clicking here).

The photos include: views from Jack’s army vehicle on rural roads (the vehicle and its round wing mirror appear in many of the photos); street scenes in towns and villages; evidence of recent military destruction of buildings and army vehicles; camps and headquarters the Allies set up in orchards and châteaux; and abandoned German defences.

They also record Jack’s sightseeing visits to WWI military cemeteries, memorials and battle sites, and to local cathedrals and churches. There are also some pictures of Jack’s fellow soldiers and local people he was staying with.

The photos are in a hardback exercise-type book which appears to have been part of his army stationery.

On each right-hand page there are usually nine photos, all measuring about 5cm x 5cm ( 2″ x 2″). Jack wrote a short description of each photo in a list on the opposite left-hand page (see example below).

The photographs presented here are more or less in the order they appear in Jack’s photobook – they are not necessarily in chronological order. I have scanned all the photos and digitally cropped and repaired them. I have also made them slightly clearer and lighter than the originals.

© Caroline Maskill, New Zealand Family History Search

April 2021