"DUTY, HONOUR, COUNTRY" has been a solemn and universal affirmation among soldiers throughout history. It is not merely a call to arms but a fervent belief that the fundamental values of life, liberty and justice are worth fighting for. Though we enjoy our freedom we tend to overlook the enormous cost that was paid to secure that freedom. We owe a great debt of gratitude to our soldiers past and present who have paid the price with their lives.

What we know of history has been confirmed by the victors - the generals and the politicians who give only their perspective. The stories told by soldiers are rarely heard but are among the most poignant and compelling witnesses of life and death. Their revelations are terrifying, violent and filled with doom. Yet beneath the war-hardened exterior there lies a glimmer of faith and hope for a better world.

The following are among the most striking and unforgettable photographs taken of soldiers and civilians during war. This is intended to be an unbiased documentation of both the Allied and Axis forces, containing brief excerpts and quotations about war and their personal experiences. But it is their faces which tell the stories that words cannot adequately express.