An Exhibition about First World War ‘Doughboys’ arrives at Newcastle Central Train Station
Press Release
U.S. Embassy London and National World War I Museum and Memorial
June 26, 2017
002-2017
American soldiers, or ‘Doughboys’, and their entry into the First World War in 1917 provide the focus of a major photographic exhibition at Newcastle Central Train Station
Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace: The Doughboys 1917-1918 is the latest in an acclaimed series of centenary photographic exhibitions, created by Michael St Maur Sheil, to document the battlefields of the First World War as they are today.
Newcastle is the third stop on a six city tour of the exhibition, which is supported by the U.S. Embassy in London.
The free exhibition will be located at the entrance to Newcastle Central train station between July 1 and July 30. It has been commissioned by the National World War I Museum and Memorial in the U.S. and is supported by U.S. Embassy in London. Fifteen display stands will present St Maur Sheil’s evocative images in a similar format to his highly successful ‘Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace: Somme 1916’ exhibition last year.
More than two million American soldiers, or Doughboys as they were known, served in Europe during the war. This exhibition introduces the viewer to the battlefields which, 100 years ago, were places of death and horror, now revealed by the photographer as landscapes of great beauty and tranquility. The exhibition was previously in London and Liverpool.
Lewis Lukens, Acting U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom said:
“I am delighted that this exhibition will visit the great city of Newcastle. Today, the United States and United Kingdom – and millions of our service members – are providing the global leadership that cements our enduring partnership and makes our countries more secure. Fields of Battle, Lands of Peace…marks the sacrifices made by the men and women of America in that conflict which shaped our world in the 20th century.”
Dr. Matthew Naylor, President and CEO, National World War I Museum and Memorial, said:
“The National World War I Museum is committed to understanding the Great War and how the conflict continues to affect the world to this day. The Museum holds the most comprehensive WWI collection in the world and uses that to tell the global story – an approach that differs from our peer institutions. We also have the responsibility to take the collection to new audiences. The impact of the Great War set in motion a deep and sustained relationship with our European partners, including the United Kingdom, making this powerful exhibition even more impactful.
Through this exhibition in partnership Michael St Maur Sheil, we trace the journey of the American forces in 1917 and 1918, and commemorate their efforts. It is beautiful and poignant work.”
Photographer Michael St Maur Sheil said:
“The U.S. involvement in the First World War was a hugely significant factor. Today, it is often overlooked, but it was a New World coming to the aid of an Old World, from which many of the young American soldiers – as first generation immigrants – had sought to escape. Their humanitarian effort in supplying and shipping over seven million tons of food to save the peoples of Belgium and northern France from starvation marked the advent of America as a united nation.”
ENDS
Notes for Editors:
About the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org
About the image:
The image used in this posting is from the photo exhibition on display in Grosvenor Square, London, during April 2017.
