World War One Sketches Discovered in Wardrobe Now on Public Display

An exhibition is currently featuring drawings created by an army officer during World War One. This display follows their discovery by his grandson, who located them in a carrier bag stored at the base of a wardrobe. 2nd Lieutenant Noel Whittles, a member of the Lancashire Fusiliers 19th Battalion, portrayed the “rat-infested” trenches through his artwork, which illustrates conditions on the Somme frontline. These images have been provided to the Trafford Local Studies & Archives Centre in Sale. This occurred after David Burrows discovered them in his mother’s flat in Didsbury following her passing. Mr. Burrows stated that his grandfather had never displayed them to others, noting: “He just kept his drawings to himself. They have never been published.” The drawings were located with accompanying written material, all preserved in pristine condition within a sealed shopping bag. Hailing from Altrincham, 2nd Lt Whittles characterized the waist-deep mud conditions in the trenches at La Boisselle as vile. In April 1918, he sustained a gunshot wound to the arm and was transported to London for a surgical procedure. Subsequently, 2nd Lt Whittles continued his service as an army officer, instructing new recruits in Warwickshire, prior to his deployment in The Rhine region of Germany until Autumn 1919. Upon his return to Withington, South Manchester, he took up a role as a civil servant and wed Lillian. They had two offspring, Graham and Margaret, who is David Burrows’ mother. Graham Whittles perished while on patrol in Amfreville during World War Two in 1944. His father, grief-stricken, passed away later that same year at the age of 54. Margaret retained possession of her father’s drawings, and Mr Burrows located them in 2014. Mr Burrows commented: “Like a lot of people of his generation, Noel enjoyed sketching but he wasn’t a professional artist.” Councillor Judith Lloyd, who serves as the Armed Forces Champion at Trafford Council, stated: “We’re delighted to be able to work with David to bring these fascinating drawings to a wider audience.” She added: “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, housed in Waterside House, will be open until 30 November. Audiences can access top content from BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and engage with BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. Story suggestions may also be submitted to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk and through Whatsapp at 0808 100 2230. This content is Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights are reserved. The BBC disclaims responsibility for the material on external websites. Information regarding their external linking policy is available.