Over 250,000 underage soldiers fought for the British Army during World War 1.
The average age of a US GI in World War II was 26 but this number includes all older high-ranking officers and does not include the number of soldiers who lied about their age to join the war. The real average is significantly lower than 26.
The average age of soldiers in the Korean War is estimated to be between 17 and 24.
The average age of soldiers who died in the Vietnam war is 19.
The average age of soldiers who have died in Iraq is 30.
The average age of soldiers who have died in Afghanistan is 26.
The heroes we have sent to fight and die for our countries have been young, vibrant men and women. They were never automatons. They suffered, they felt fear, they were homesick, they had doubts. They were heroic, they were courageous, they risked their lives for the greater good. They were able to, at times, have fun, laugh, smile, play, and joke around.
A British general is about to kick off a friendly football match between the British and Italian troops on the Italian Front in 1917. Imperial War Museum via Open UniversityA group of US soldiers in Afghanistan playing a Quidditch match. likecoolA large group of the 1st Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment join in on a football match, France in 1916. Courtesy Imperial War Museum via Open UniversityA Russian soldier playing an abandoned piano in Chechnya in 1994. demilkedAmerican Airforce pilot on a training mission posing for a gag picture while reading the instruction manual of his airplane. xcitefunAmerican combat engineers in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, May 1944 eat their dinner on top of stockpiled crates of ammunition shells. historyAmerican paratroopers playing cards during WWII. TumblrAmerican soldiers having a good time during World War II. TumblrAmerican soldiers having some fun with their weapons during World War II. TumblrAmerican soldiers jousting on bicycles during the Iraq War. TumblrAmerican soldiers relaxing in Italy during World War II. TumblrAmerican soldiers relaxing with a beer during World War I. RankerAmerican Soldiers watching Mickey Rooney perform during World War II. RankerAn American soldier uses piles of ammunition shells for furniture as he eats his dinner. England 1944. historyAn impromptu game of football kicks off between British and Italian troops, as others take some time out to rest on the hills and watch on in 1917. Courtesy Imperial War Museum via Open UniversityBrigadier John Rockingham drops the puck for a match between 1st Battalion, Princess Patricia’s Canadian Light Infantry (left) and 2nd Battalion, Royal 22e Regiment “Vandoos” (right) during the Korean War. Rare Historical PhotosBritish aircraft carrier pilots relax on the deck near Indonesia while waiting for the next strike. December 1944. historyBritish Pilot taking a nap during World War II. RankerBritish soldiers playing with a ball in the water at Corfu. Imperial War MuseumsBritish soldiers splashing in the water at Corfu. Imperial War MuseumsBritish soldiers watching a boxing match during World War II. RankerBritish troops in the River Tigris, Baghdad, 1917. Imperial War MuseumsCanadian soldiers going on leave during World War I. rankerCanadian soldiers having a beer during World War II. RankerCanadian soldiers playing hockey on a rink they built in Korea, 1952. Rare Historical PhotosChild soldiers playing a game using bones. Amnesty InternationalEnthusiastic splashing in the sea at Etaples, France, 1917. Imperial War MuseumsFinal of the 48th Divisional Fanshawe Cup. The 1:7th Battalion Worcestershire Regiment versus 1:7th Battalion Royal Warwickshire Regiment. Trissino, Italy in 1918. Imperial War MuseumFrench Troops getting haircuts during World War I. TumblrGerman soldiers having a beer during World War I. RankerGerman soldiers playing cards together next to their trenches ‘garden’ give an insight into the reality of the boredom, as well as the violence, of warfare. Daily MailHungarian soldiers having a drink during World War II. RankerMarilyn Monroe entertaining American troops in Korea, 1954. PinterestMarines making faces in downtime during the Vietnam War. TumblrMay 1944, American troops relax, play cards, read and write letters while aboard a troop transport ship carrying them to their deployment. historyNavy jazz band members rehearsing during World War II. Tumblr.Nazi soldiers putting odds and ends on a sleeping soldier, World War II. RankerNazi soldiers staging a bayonet fight during World War II. TumblrNazi soldiers working on their tans during World War II. TumblrNew Zealand soldiers resting during the Vietnam War. RankerOctober 26, 1944. Three American military men in Italy play cards on top of their recon vehicle during a break in the fighting. historyPatients from a convalescent hospital playing in the sea, France, 1918. Imperial War Museums
