ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is proud to announce the winners of its 2018 photo competition…

The annual competition gains hundreds of entries each year, all capturing aspects of life in the Army.

The top 12 entries will feature in The Soldiers’ Charity’s 2019 calendar, with first place securing the front cover. The high standard of images made it a tough decision for this year’s line-up of judges:

  • British explorer, adventurer and ambassador for The Soldiers’ Charity, Levison Wood
  • Army Sergeant Major Glenn Haughton
  • Major General (Ret’d) Martin Rutledge, Chief Executive of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity

This year’s winning image was Steve Jones’ “Daddy’s Girl”, which shows a father in uniform walking hand-in-hand down a woodland path with his young daughter.

Winner, Steve Jones, said: “I am truly honoured to be voted overall winner and can’t quite believe it. I am a self-taught photographer who took a risk and started my business head first and full-time. To get recognition, especially amongst such incredibly talented photographers, is a fantastic achievement and I am truly grateful.

“Having recently become a new father to a little girl, I can see more clearly the sacrifice service men and women make for both their country and family. Knowing that my work will be used to help raise money to support these families when they need it is a wonderful feeling.”

The runners-up were just as deserving, with Paul Buchanan’s “Veterans in Scarlet” coming second and Shane White’s “Take the Strain” placed third.

Army Sergeant Major Glenn Haughton said: “These images capture everything we espouse – service, duty, bravery and national pride.”

Levison Wood agreed: “These wonderful photographs really encapsulate the variety of rich experience Army life has to offer. It was tough to choose, but the runners-up and the winning image were all fantastic and well-deserved.”