Summary

Photograph of the ruins of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Brebières in Albert, showing the 'leaning virgin'. It had been damaged in January 1915. Similar photographs were taken by countless soldiers during the Battle of the Somme in July-November 1916, when Albert was close to the front lines.

Taken during World War I. One of 185 black and white photographs in an album, taken in France during World War I by Sergeant John Lord. Some pages are blank.

Photographs in the album depict army camps, hospitals, trenches, early tanks, landscapes, cemeteries and graves and groups of posed Australian soldiers. The places Lord mentions in his captions are La Boiselle, Quarry Siding, Pozieres, Albert, Bapaume and Favreuil.

The album was one of many souvenirs brought back to Australia after World War I by John Lord (service # 6252). He donated photograph albums, images, documents and World War I memorabilia to Museum Victoria.

The same statue in the background is photographed in MM 120209 and 120230

Description of Content

Ruins of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Brebières. The statue of Mary and the infant Jesus on top of the Basilica was hit by a shell on 15 January 1915. It was put in a horizontal position. This image became an important visual for the thousands of soldiers who fought at the Battle of the Somme(1916) and passed through Albert. The photograph shows the ruins of the Basilica and the leaning statue of Mary and Jesus.

Physical Description

Sepia-toned black and white silver gelatin photographic print.

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