Lest We Forget - WW1, an African Pespective

British documentary photographer and visual artist Chris Kirby has released a series of three images to mark the one hundred year anniversary since the ending of World War One. The image is of an African in WW1 infantry uniform holding a symbolic red poppy in the pose of an unknown African soldier. The photograph series, available for licensed publication, is intended to draw attention to the little known contribution and sacrifice made by over one million Africans who were seconded to fight and die as soldiers, porters and labourers on behalf of their imperial rulers in battles and skirmishes across Africa. Kirby's South African grandfather fought in Europe in that war, and Kirby himself feels it important to recognise the significant contribution made by Africans in a tragic conflict which was not of their own making.