Skip to content

Soldier's WWI sketches found at bottom of wardrobe

David Burrows A black and white sketch showing a soldier lying on his front in no-man's land, his helmet and rifle on the ground, as a shell flies over his headDavid Burrows
David Burrows A black and white sketch showing a number of vehicles on a road including a horse and cart, several vans and a woman on a bicycle. David Burrows
Sketches of life on the frontline of the Somme in France by 2nd Lt Noel Whittles
Sketches of life on the front-line of the Somme in France by 2nd Lt Noel Whittles

Sketches drawn by an army officer during World War One are being shown in an exhibition after his grandson found them in a carrier bag at the bottom of a wardrobe.

2nd Lieutenant Noel Whittles, of the Lancashire Fusiliers 19th Battalion, described the "rat-infested" trenches, with his drawings depicting life on the frontline of the Somme.

The pictures have been loaned to Trafford Local Studies & Archives Centre in Sale after David Burrows found them in his mother's flat in Didsbury after she died.

He said his grandfather had never shown them to anyone, adding: "He just kept his drawings to himself. They have never been published."

The sketches were found alongside some writing, all in perfect condition in a sealed shopping bag.

2nd Lt Whittles, from Altrincham, described the waist-deep mud conditions in the trenches at La Boisselle as vile.

He was shot in the arm in April 1918 and evacuated to London for surgery.

2nd Lt Whittles remained as an army officer training young soldiers in Warwickshire before serving in The Rhine area of Germany until Autumn 1919.

He returned to Withington, South Manchester, became a civil servant and married Lillian.

The couple had two children, Graham and Margaret, David Burrows' mother.

Graham Whittles died in service on patrol in Amfreville in World War Two in 1944.

Heartbroken, his father died later that year aged 54.

Handout A black and white photograph of 2nd Lt Noel Whittles in uniform and cap, who has a neat moustache and looks into the camera with a serious expressionHandout
2nd Lt Noel Whittles, of the Lancashire Fusiliers 19th Battalion was awarded the Military Cross

Margaret kept hold of her father's sketches and Mr Burrows found them in 2014.

Mr Burrows said: "Like a lot of people of his generation, Noel enjoyed sketching but he wasn’t a professional artist."

Councillor Judith Lloyd, Armed Forces Champion at Trafford Council said: "We’re delighted to be able to work with David to bring these fascinating drawings to a wider audience.

"It’s hard for us to imagine what Noel went through and this is one way that his bravery and sacrifice lives on."

The Remembrance exhibition in Waterside House runs until 30 November.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas to [email protected] and via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.