The field telephone mechanic is providing ‘landline’ communications between divisional headquarters and brigade, battalion headquarters, or command posts on the Western Front. The soldiers who provided this means of communication are called signallers. This field telephone mechanic is using the latest in electrical communication, but he is dressed to ride a horse as he is wearing leather leggings, riding breeches and has a water bottle slung over his shoulder.
It is summertime in France or Belgium as he has stripped down to his undershirt, but he is within range of enemy artillery as he is wearing a steel helmet. Between his legs is a spool of signal wire, and he holds a field telephone handset to his ear.