This group of doctors and nurses was photographed in England sometime during the Great War.
This was long before people took candid photos and the way the group is standing looks like they were preparing for a formal portrait.
But something happened just as the photographer snapped his picture and caused everyone to laugh. I imagine the photographer considered his picture to be spoiled. Though its spontaneity and joy is what makes it so interesting.
How amazing and wonderful that this photograph survived!
old spirituals 
World War I was a tragic and prolonged war that took millions of lives and caused millions of casualties, both military and civilian. The soldiers lived in trenches, quagmires of mud and water. Soldiers were constantly wet and covered with dirt and mud. If lucky they had a tunnel to crawl into to rest and/or sleep . . . if they could keep out the rats.
In bright contrast during that War was the “White” uniform worn by a nurse. I wonder what it took to keep them clean.
Compared to modern medicine, that of WWI was only slightly advanced beyond that of the Civil War. Thankfully, both Wars had the use of ether and chloroform.
One anecdote regarding medicine during WWI is that every Australian soldiers was issued a tin of Tea Tree oil salve to be used as an antiseptic on wounds. The soldiers of other countries bartered for a tin of Tea Tree Oil salve. Over the years the use of Tea Tree Oils have grown and are ingredients in everything from toothpicks to shampoos.
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I find World War I to be endlessly intriguing. It seems like the point at which the modern world was born. It was fought with calvary, cannons, airplanes, ships, submarines, and in the trenches. As you say, the conditions the soldiers lived in were horrific. I never knew that about tea tree oil, though I know people who swear by it.
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I love the photo! Wish we knew what was so funny! Always good to see people laughing even in the midst of turmoil.
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I agree!
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