Preparing the brazier

Dyson's portrayal of two soldiers warming themselves at a brazier portrays the comfort such simple devices afforded troops in the winter. Although the danger from enemy fire and shelling never disappeared, during the winter the struggle to survive in the trenches took on another dimension. Tasks that were easy in the summer became increasingly difficult during the winter while the morale of Australian troops was easily affected by the harsh European climate. In order to ensure that the soldiers stationed at the front remained healthy and in good spirits food and supplies were brought to the front by horse drawn wagon along snow covered and war damaged roads.