This year’s ABF Soldiers’ Charity photo competition was just released, offering a rare glimpse behind the scenes of British Army life. The remarkable pictures selected as the winners show both the professional and human side of Britain’s soldiers at work and play.
A black-and-white photo showing officer cadets from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Exercise Dynamic Victory in Bavaria was the overall winner of the contest, which saw 100 entries from both soldiers and civilians.
The overall winning photo in the ABF Soldier’s Charity competition, showing British Army officer cadets from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on Exercise Dynamic Victory in Bavaria. Army photographer Murray Kerr took the picture of the cadets on the course. (Murray Kerr/REX/Shutterstock)
Murray Kerr/REX/Shutterstock
The second-place photo, entitled “The Blue Beyond” was taken by Captain Lou Rudd, in the snow about 300 miles from the South Pole in December 2016. Rudd lead a 6-man team of Army Reservists on an epic, 67-day, 1,100-mile crossing of Antarctica. (Lou Rudd/REX/Shutterstock)
Lou Rudd/REX/Shutterstock
Sharing second-place was a picture by Jason Fenton, of a soldier parachuting by Royal Marine staff sergeant Jason Fenton. (Jason Fenton/REX/Shutterstock)
Jason Fenton/REX/Shutterstock
The winning entries, which will all be featured in The Soldiers’ Charity 2018 calendar, were chosen by a panel of leading figures, including actor Tom Burke, who will star as wounded veteran Cormoran Strike, in the BBC adaptation of JK Rowling’s The Cuckoo Calling and actor Luke Pasqualino, who starred in BBC Drama Our Girl as Special Forces Officer, Elvis Harte.
Prizes are donated by Canon UK and WEX Photographic and the winner and joint second winners will get a camera each.
The Soldiers’ Charity is the national charity of the British Army and was formerly the Army Benevolent Fund. It was set up in 1944 and supports thousands of soldiers, former soldiers, and their families each year.
The calendar goes on sale in September and will be available via the Charity’s online shop with all proceeds going directly to support soldiers, veterans and their immediate families.
Photo of the Horse Guard’s Parade at Trooping the Colour in July 2016. (Wendy Ludman/REX/Shutterstock)
Wendy Ludman/REX/Shutterstock
The Life Guards Squadron Corporal Major (SCM), looks on in Hyde Park Barracks, prior to the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment’s annual Major General’s Inspection. (Adam Blackmore-Heal/REX/Shutterstock)
Blackmore-Heal/REX/Shutterstock
Queen Elizabeth II inspecting the Royal Guard at Balmoral in Scotland. (Steve Samosa/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve Samosa/REX/Shutterstock
Army Air Corps Apache Attack Helicopter flying over Salisbury Plain Training Area. (Steve Duncombe/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve Duncombe/REX/Shutterstock
A member of the British Army Blades ice hockey team taking a shot at the goal at Swindon’s Link Centre. (Steve Duncombe/REX/Shutterstock)
Steve Duncombe/REX/Shutterstock
A shadow over red Poppy petals lying on the ground after the Loughborough Remembrance Day Service near the Carillon War Memorial. (Leila Ross/REX/Shutterstock)
Leila Ross/REX/Shutterstock
An artillery Gunner, based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, showing an ammunition cartridge to the son of a soldier serving in the Parachute Regiment, who has borrowed his dad’s beret. (Trevor Sheehan/REX/Shutterstock)
Trevor Sheehan/REX/Shutterstock
Soldiers in the Band of the Household Cavalry, on their way to Horse Guards Parade Ground. (Dan Short/REX/Shutterstock)
Dan Short/REX/Shutterstock
A soldier being welcomed home by his mum at his regiment’s Homecoming Parade in Newcastle after many months away on a deployment. (Trevor Sheehan/REX/Shutterstock)
Trevor Sheehan/REX/Shutterstock
This article was featured in the InsideHook newsletter. Sign up now.
