None of the below photo have any dates, locations, names or context written on them …. so this is all working assumptions
Two different seasons, but same group?
« Je vous avais parlé d’une photo je crois, mais elle n’était pas réussie, alors nous avons recommencé hier, une avec tous les sous-officiers et l’autre avec ma section mais je ne sais encore le résultat, espérons qu’il sera bon ».
Letter 7th February 1916
Below are photos that had no dates, names or context, but I now believe we can start to add some context, names and locations:
Why?
It is mentioned that two photos of the compagnie have been taken recently (no defined date) which were not very good, therefore a second photo was taken on the 7th February, which all involved hope is better.
My working assumption now is that the below photo is the 2nd attempt ?
Simple? ……. no because of another letter
“Je vous envoie une photo, mais elle est bien noire, enfin ce sera un souvenir pour moi après la guerre, car c’est tous mes camarades sergents et adjudants et plus tard je serai bien content de ce souvenir“
Letter 25th February 1916
No date is mentioned in the letter into when this photo was taken, but it is mentioned that photo is dark. The only group photo in our possession that fits the “quite dark” comment is the below, which was previously assumed to be from 1915.
We have two group photos …..
Who are they? due to uniform we know its the 315RI – due to my Gt Grandfather presents: the 16eme compagnie
Therefore the photo described in both letters could be picture II as the picture is dark or it could be the poor quality first take, but there is a question mark to these assumptions
Date?
The picture was taken in February so why does the bush in Picture I have no leaves and Picture II leaves, why that important? because I believe the picture is taken in the same location.
Location?
I believe it to be at Neuville. The reason for this is the background which seems to be a barn and we know that in Neuville it is mentioned in multiple letters that they stay in “grange” barns. In addition both pictures are from the same location but at different focal points:
Note the frame of the door and the protruding piece of wood on the door frame that is the same in both pictures
The bush in the background has the same branches in both pictures
The gap between the door and frame is the same
The drain to the right hand side is the same
Who in the Pictures?
WIP progress to identify who is who in each photo and if individuals match then we can then be sure of the dates.
We know the individual on the top right and bottom right in both photos: that is my Gt Grandfather. Therefore we know this photo is after 1st October 1915 and before December 1917.
Knowing that the location is Neuville, we can be sure that both photos are from January to June 1916
Back Row:
Front Row:
Conclusion
Ultimately it could be another photo that is not in our possession or that Picture I was the photo taken on the 7th February, therefore currently that is my working assumption.
Picture II cannot be the picture mentioned in the letter of the 7th or 25th February due to the leaves on the bush/tree which means that picture must date from spring 1916 onwards.
In addition the picture mentioned on the 25 February most probably was taken during the Charmeresse rest period, therefore neither picture fits as Charmeresse was a temporary rest area in a wood with wooden huts as accommodation (see picture).
One Trench, Two photos but from where?
“Je viens à l’instant de me faire photographier devant notre cagna avec deux camarades. Je pense les avoir dans le courant du repos, si toutefois elles sont réussies“
5th March Letter from Melzicourt frontline trench
In the letter of the 5th March 1916 Jules mentioned he has just had a photo taken with two friends and he hopes the photo comes out well, so he can send it once he receives it.
Current situation on 5th March; last day in the frontline trenches at Melzicourt for the 16e compagnie.
Below are two photos we own of Jules in trenches
First important point, Jules mentioned in the letter is that there are two friends, which means we assume that it’s the left hand side picture….. but are we jumping to conclusions prematurely.
The picture to the left hand side was a mystery at the start because it was assumed to be from October 1915 in Auberive as it was placed with other pictures from that time and sector within the Daniel Durand album (Historiques de Régiments 14/18 – 19391 photos – 231 carnets de guerre (chtimiste.com).
On closer analysis there is a 16 written on the back of the photo, which could mean the year or his compagnie which was also 16e. Additionally the photo has coniferous wood behind, which were not present at Auberive, but were in the Melzicourt sector with the Bois d’Hauzy.
Second point, is that on the 5th March when the photo was taken they were in the frontlines trenches, not 2nd line or reserve. Therefore an important question has to be asked where is their equipment? It is highly unlikely they would be in frontline trenches without their equipment.
Finally the letter says that the photo was taken in front of their “cagna” which means Abri/Shelter, which in the above picture we cannot see.
Photo 2
That then brings us to the photo below, which was also with no information. At the start of 1916 section, I explained the location of this photo to be Melzicourt due to a different photo from Daniel Durand being taken in the exactly the same location within Melzicourt sector.
First obvious difference to the previous photo, is that everybody has equipment, which would indicate the photo is in or around the frontlines, which is where the photo from the 5th March was taken.
Second, the letter states the photo was taken in front of their cagna/shelter, which we can clearing see on the right hand side.
So far so good, but then we hit a major glaring issue, which is the comment of a photo with “deux camarades” as below we have 3 others in the picture not including Jules.
Therefore one theory is that the two to the far left are his “camarades”, therefore the person in the middle is quite senior therefore not in the “camarade zone”.. During the period of the 5th March that person could have been either LTN Pottier, SLT Verret or SLT Schindler
Photo II 
Conclusion
If we follow the words from the letter then photo I seems to be the obvious answer. The issue I have with accepting photo I is that on the 5th March they were in the frontline trenches, therefore why do they have no equipment on? Ironically a letter from the 4th March may help
Demain soir nous partons d’ici, mais ce repos ne sera pas un repos car nous allons travailler tous les jours à faire des tranchées
4th March Letter
From the 6th March onwards during their rest period 16e compagnie were tasked with building trenches, which would make perfect sense for photo I and maybe there was a photo taken during that time and that is photo I.
Therefore is it photo number II?
The obvious points are that in this picture their is a cagna clearly visable and they are clearly in a frontline trench as they would have been on the 5th March, but the number of people do not add up literally.
Je vous envoie une photo mais comme toutes elles sont mal tirées, c’est des photographes d’occasion. Nous sommes dans une tranchée de première ligne près de notre abri
20th March Letter
The 20th March letter on the other hands help to confirm that Picture II is likely to be the photo that was taken. As the letter mentions the photo not of good quality and they are in front line trenches near to their shelter, which can be clearly seen in the picture.
Therefore it is no 100%, but if I choose one I would select photo II
What do you think?
