Evocative Posters Launch Poppy Appeal

The Royal British Legion has unearthed a trove of portraits taken between 1915 and 1916 to help launch this year's Poppy Appeal.

WWI Private Matt, Cavalry Riding Instructor. Lance Corporal Corie Mapp Household Cavalry Regiment.

Taken at the world's oldest established photographic studio in the Sussex town of Lewes the glass negatives sat unseen for almost a century.

WWI Private Pocock, Infantry. Chief Petty Officer Peter Edge, Weapons Engineer.

The new campaign features modern day beneficaries of the British Legion juxtaposed with the original sitters to highlight the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces, past and present.

WWI Sergeant Howard, Cavalry. Gunner Mark Stonelake, 29 Commando Regiment Royal Artillery.

Using the original camera, which 100 years ago captured the portraits of hundreds of First World War soldiers before they set off for the front line, the photographer Tom Reeves even utilised the same darkroom to process the pictures.

WWI 2nd Lieutenant H. Lee Esquire, Infantry. Private Harmeet Singh, Queen Alexandra's Royal Army Nursing Corps.

In a remarkable example of family business and tradition Mr Reeves is himself the great-grandson of Benjamin Reeves - the original photographer.

WW1 Able Seaman Towner, Royal Navy. Staff Sergeant Alan Hughes, Queen's Own Highlanders, served until 1986

Pictures courtesy of the Royal British Legion