The expertly colourised shots were brought to life by French bank technician, Frédéric Duriez (51). The images were provided by the Valois collection which belongs to the BDIC. “By colourising these photos, I reduce the time that separates us today from this conflict”, said Frédéric. “A black and white photo does not attract the attention of young people, if you colour it, then people will look at it with curiosity. After this, we see the greater the misery and distress of these French fighters”. The total number of casualties in WW1 was more that 38 million. By the end of the war, over eight-million men had been called up to fight in the French army. France suffered 4.2 million casualties during the war with 1.3 million people dead. Here: Car cannon sections in firing position, Auxi-le-Château. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





Eiffel Tower, Paris, 26 July 1915. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





Second Spahis regiment, April 1916. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





A group of men reading their mail in the safety of a shelter. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





The international conflict lasted from 1914 until 1918 and embroiled most nations in Europe, along with Russia, the US and the Middle East. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





May 1915. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





A group of wounded soldiers on their evacuation route. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





Souain, January 20, 1916. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)





Louppy-le-Petit, 1916. (Photo by Frédéric Duriez/BDIC/Mediadrumworld.com)