Before and after photos from the front demonstrate how British and French soldiers had to have their faces completely rebuilt having been maimed during World War I.
This incredible collection of photos are from the Faces from the Front, highlighting the work of a young surgeon Harold Gillies. This was also a show of the early development of plastic surgery. Gillies repaired the faces of soldiers injured between 1914 and 1918.
Dr. Gillies spent years restoring the horrific facial injuries of men.
Impressive before and after images of Private Harold Page, of the Norfolk Regiment, who lost an eye in the Battle of the Somme.
Photo credit: Media Drum World
Private William Thomas of the 1st Cheshire Regiment on the first day of his admission (left) and his final appearance (right).
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Captain J.G.H Budd shown in May 1919 who had reconstructive surgery on his nose.
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Private Arthur Mears is captured during treatment (left) and afterwards (right) following the repair of his jaw using his rib.
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Lieutenant T.H. Elderton, of the 3rd Batallion, Bedford Regiment, before the war (left); on admission to Sidcup on February 10 1918 (center) and after being worked on by Harold Gillies (right).
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Joseph Pickard of the 5th Northumberland Fusiliers in July 1919, and after surgery in May 1921.
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Lieutenant William Spreckley before treatment, he was missing his nose.
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Lieutenant William Spreckley after surgery. Gillies, implanted a shaped piece of cartilage to give him a cartilage graft to create a nasal bridge.
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The interior of the plastics theatre, at the Queen’s hospital with Gillies seated on the right.
Photo credit: Media Drum World
Gillies at Aldershot hospital with some of his patients.
Photo credit: Media Drum World