Peace before slaughter of the Somme

FOUR unknown medics relax before the bloody First World War battle of the Somme, 101 years ago today.

And a sergeant from the Durham Light Infantry poses with a French family and French navy man. Another pair of Tommies stop for a souvenir picture with a French child.

The haunting colourised images were taken in France to send home as postcards before the 141-day battle, which left a million dead or wounded.

BATTLE READY Four British army medics at Somme