A Year in Pictures
December 28, 2014
The end of the year gives us time to reflect on what has been and what is to come. This small selection of photographs from this year are a reminder of some of the tragedies of war but also the strength of human spirit to overcome suffering. As a freelance photojournalist the camera often turns towards the more darker sides of humanity in an attempt to shed light on the unspoken and unimaginable degree of suffering which occurs in the world, however, it should also be met with the balance of the everyday flow of life and the small moments that we share. From the soldiers in Camp Bastion to the women of Gaza, this is my year in images and I wish to thank all of your for being a part of that and may next year be filled with more hope and less loss. I could not do the work I love without those who allow me to show their lives and those that help. To the fixers, drivers, photo agencies, charities, friends and family I wish to thank you for all you have done in 2014.
Members of the United States Marine Corps after a physical training session on New Years Day in Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan.
A member of the Australian Army uses the sights on his weapon to view the area surrounding a training academy for the Afghan security forces in Qargha, Afghanistan.
An Afghan National Army Officer demonstrates a sit up to potential new recruits at the Afghan National Officer Academy in Qargha, Afghanistan. The academy known as 'Sandhurst in the sand' has been set up to train and recruit officers in the Afghan Army.
Members of the cast from the Fingersmiths Theatre Company during their National tour of the play by Byrony Lavery. Frozen tells the story of the disappearance of a 10-year-old girl, Rhona. The play follows Rhona's mother and killer over the years that follow. They are linked by a doctor who is studying what causes men to commit such crimes. The themes of the play include emotional paralysis and forgiveness.
Members of the Foster family enjoy the annual St Georges Day celebration in Birmingham city centre's Victoria Square today.
Lucia Elgerud (27) studies human remains which have been revealed in a grave site in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa. The excavation is part of an ongoing effort by International students from a Peruvian based forensic anthropology team known as Equipo Peruino de Antropologia Forense (EPAF) who have arrived in the country to exhume some of the estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people killed between 1988 and 1991 by the former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. ..Somaliland is currently an unrecognised self-declared de facto sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. This has left the area with little resources to conduct the exhumation of the remains and the ability to prosecute those involved in the massacre. ..According to the Somaliland War Crimes Investigation Committee (WCIC) the massacre began after a tribe known as the Isaaq began an uprising against Biarre's regime. He responded by ordering the execution of all members of this clan. “1988 was total chaos. Men, women and children were taken to killing sites by the army and shot. The bodies were dumped across the city and buried with bulldozers.” Stated Mahamoud Abdi, an employee with the WCIC.
A human pelvis is marked with the trajectory path of a bullet in a makeshift lab in the Somaliland capital of Hargeisa. The excavation of human remains is part of an ongoing effort by International students from a Peruvian based forensic anthropology team known as Equipo Peruino de Antropologia Forense (EPAF) who have arrived in the country to exhume some of the estimated 50,000 to 60,000 people killed between 1988 and 1991 by the former dictator Mohamed Siad Barre. ..Somaliland is currently an unrecognised self-declared de facto sovereign state that is internationally recognised as an autonomous region of Somalia. This has left the area with little resources to conduct the exhumation of the remains and the ability to prosecute those involved in the massacre. ..According to the Somaliland War Crimes Investigation Committee (WCIC) the massacre began after a tribe known as the Isaaq began an uprising against Biarre's regime. He responded by ordering the execution of all members of this clan. “1988 was total chaos. Men, women and children were taken to killing sites by the army and shot. The bodies were dumped across the city and buried with bulldozers.” Stated Mahamoud Abdi, an employee with the WCIC.
A St Patricks parade reveller takes a snooze as crowds enjoy the sunshine today in Birmingham during the annual parade.
A couple enjoy the annual Birmingham Pride festival. The parade is one of the largest LGBT two day festivals in the UK.
Dennis Davison, 93 holds a photograph of himself as a young solider aged 17. Dennis was a former member of the Northamptonshire Regiment and landed on Sword beach during the D Day landings on the 6 Jun 44. This is the third time he has been back to Normandy since the Second World War.
D Day Veterans and a serving British soldier take some time out as they attend a service at Pegasus Bridge for the 70th Anniversary of the D Day landings in Normandy.
Bayeux, Normandy. Veterans watch a mock dog fight between two Typhoon aircraft after a memorial service at the British military cemetery in Bayeux during the 70th Anniversary D Day commemorations. Also in attendance were HRH The Queen and Prince Phillip and various British political figures.
Gaza. The Al Tourek family prepare to prayer following her family Iftar feast in Gaza city. ..After a short ceasefire broke down Hamas and Israel have now resumed their current campaign. "Every night when we sit to eat we can hear the explosions. This should be a happy time for use but we are just living in fear." Commented Bassen Al Tourek, the father of the family.
Heba Aliya (9 months) holds onto her mother Hamza Aliya in a make shift clinic within a UN school in the Jabalaya district of Gaza city. "Children have stopped eating and sleeping. Their health is starting to suffer. Skin conditions, infection and gastro problems are increasing" Commented Dr Hassan Zebadin (44), one of the many staff employed to help out by the Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRS) who are now working tirelessly to provide basic medical supplies to those currently caught in the conflict between Israel and Hamas. ..As the Israel/Gaza conflict intensifies the number of displaced people has now risen to over 47,000 (Source - UNRWA).
The home of the Al Yasje family which was destroyed in an Israeli airstrike in the Jabalaya district of Gaza. No one was killed in the attack and the family received a warning to evacuate.
BIRMINGHAM COLOUR RUN
© Licensed to Alison Baskerville. 16/08/2014. Birmingham. Members of the public took part in the Birmingham Colour run this morning. Over 8,000 entrants were pelted with various coloured powders as they took part in the 5KM race held at the National Exhibition Centre. Photo credit : Alison Baskerville
British Army Training Unit Suffield (BATUS), Canada. Soldiers from the First Battalion the Yorkshire Regiment prepare to storm a temporary village as they train for war on one of the largest training areas currently being used by the UK Armed forces.
Eastender's actresses Barbara Windsor and Lacey Turner joined members of the Armed Forces as The Royal British Legions red bus arrived at Downing Street this morning as part of the annual London Poppy day. This year the service charity will aim to raise £1,000,000 in one day.
A soldier takes a break in between rehearsals for the Festival of Remembrance in the Royal Albert Hall.
FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE
Royal Chelsea pensioners march into the arena of the Royal Albert Hall as they practice their entrance ahead of the Festival of Remembrance. First broadcast in 1927 the festival has now been held in the Royal Albert Hall for 87 years.
FESTIVAL OF REMEMBRANCE
Men from the Royal Chelsea Pensioners squeeze into a service lift at the Albert Hall following a rehearsal for the annual Festival of Remembrance.
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