David Crossland's book Whispering Walls is a guided tour of a number of unique art galleries: limestone caves in France whose walls were graffitied and carved by the soldiers sheltering in them during the First World War. Examining the inscriptions and images (many of which are photographed for the book), Crossland traces them back to their creators, thereby rehumanising the individuals who are all too often seen only en masse.
Perhaps the most poignant comment comes from Gilles Chauwin, president of the heritage society the Chemin des Dames Association: "No one wants to be forgotten. They were worried not just about dying, but about literally disappearing at any time, being obliterated by a shell so that there would be nothing left of them. These inscriptions are like bottles thrown into the sea."
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