A First World War soldier's scrapbook has been discovered – containing cartoons showing life on the front line and love letters to his comrades.
Private Henry Page was a talented cartoonist who, before joining the British Army, worked as “a picture designer” for the London printing company AG Reeves.
He volunteered in October 1915 and a year later was sent to France.
Henry served six months there before being transferred to Salonika, Greece and then to Alexandria, Egypt, where he contracted typhus.
His artwork includes depictions of the struggle to set up camp beds, a soldier standing guard in Europe, marching in the rain
and a soldier visits the pyramids and market.
Henry's scrapbooks also feature decorated envelopes addressed to his Luton-based girlfriend, Edith Pedley.
These cartoons depict his hopes for their lives after the war, as depicted in a picture of the two of them celebrating New Year. Another shows a couple at the top of a cliff – with Henry writing the words “What I'm Waiting For”.
The scrapbook was found among documents belonging to the Southwark Archives.
Researchers from FindMyPast found the couple were married and living in Luton, Beds.
Researcher Jen Baldwin said, “This is a truly extraordinary story of love that survived everything that the Great War threw at it.”
FindMyPast is offering free access to military records through Monday. Visit www.findmypast.co.uk.