Trenches at La Boutillerie, forward of Fleurbaix, WW1

By the light of the flare. My first impression of the trenches, at La Boutillerie, forward of Fleurbaix, Jan.15. The front line consisted of separate trenches of primitive construction without any communication. Bosche flares cast a ghastly glare over all. Enemy lines are seen in front of the distant trees. Annotated on back of picture - La Boutillerie, Fleurbaix sector. An impression actually painted in the trenches on the night of 15 January gives a good idea of how the flares sent up by the Germans lit up the country around. By Lieutenant Major John Empson Tindall, MC (b.1885). He joined the Royal Engineers as a Lieutenant and rose to the rank of Captain in the 1st Home Counties Field Company, Royal Engineers (later the 490th Field Company, Royal Engineers), 8th Division, BEF and then became Major commanding the 505th (Wessex) Field Company, 57th Division, BEF

490th Commanding Counties Empson Flare Flares Fleurbaix Ghastly Glare Impression Lieut Rank Tindall

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