BUNBURY photojournalist David Bailey has launched a new business enterprise which combines his career behind the lens and a passion for Australia’s war history.
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Last year Mr Bailey spent six month capturing iconic images from war commemoration, battlefields and cemeteries across Europe to create a new online company.
The photographs capture haunting and beautiful images of soldiers' final resting places, well known monuments and the lesser known images of where some Anzacs trekked and fell on the Western Front in France and Belgium.
The images also include Anzac Day ceremonies at the Australian War Memorial in Villers-Bretonneux in France, the site of more than 770 soldiers graves.
People can visit the website, browse through the selection of professional images and upload a photo of their relative who has served in World War One, to create a unique print.
At the same time they can contribute memories and accounts of their ancestors to the site, as an ongoing record of Australian stories.
Mr Bailey said his new business provides the public with a unique chance to create a lasting memory of their family’s military history.
"More than 300,000 Australians travelled to Europe to serve on the Western Front and 45,000 never came back,” Mr Bailey said.
"Many people have relatives who fought in World War One, but know little about where they did battle and in many cases, fell.
"These unique images give people the unique opportunity to create their own commemorative print to pay homage to their loved one and learn more about where they fought for their country and Australia's contribution to the Great War."
Mr Bailey said photographing the historic war sites was among the best experiences he has had, professionally and personally, in more than 30 years as a photographer.
He also noted the torrential rain he endured at the 2015 dawn service in Villers-Bretonneux was kind enough to follow him to Bunbury’s dawn service on Monday.
History Imprint can be viewed at www.historyimprint.com.au
