Private Paton's PicturesPrivate Paton's Pictures

Harold Paton's photographs show how war really was, not how Hollywood has since portrayed it - "long periods of boredom punctuated by moments of sheer terror". These photographs show us the daily lives and hell that our fathers and grandfathers endured during the North Africa campaign 1942-43; and many of course did not return. They also vividly capture the lighter side, when soldiers found time to entertain themselves by organising team sports, boxing matches, making toys and trinkets for their loved ones back home, and enjoying the sights.