Souvenirs and ephemera
1. Wallpaper from a German dugout
This section of wallpaper was taken from a German dugout. The handwritten inscription reads 'Taken from wall of Bosche Dug Out near Estrées, 6.2.17'. It was probably given to Lieutenant H E Etherington as a souvenir. German dugouts were generally better developed than those of the British and French. Most had electricity, telephone systems, piped water, and drainage and sewage systems – some were even heated.
Souvenirs and ephemera
2. Cavalry bugle
This German cavalrybugle of the 3rd Guard Uhlan Regimentwas captured during the Battle of the Marne in September 1914. German cavalry regiments - especially the Uhlan - had fearsome reputations, so trophies like this were highly prized by British and French troops.
Equipment
3. 'Death's Head' lance pennant
All German Army cavalry units carried lances fitted with a pennant. The 'Death's Head Hussars' carried lance pennants displaying the skull and crossbones, like the one pictured here. This pennant was captured during the Battle of the Marne in 1914.
Weapons and ammunition
4. Trench dagger
This German trench knifewas taken during the Battle of the Somme by British Corporal Mark Lambert of the 16th Battalion West Yorkshire Regiment – the 1st Bradford Pals. Lambert engraved his initials and the word 'Somme' on the handle. Men could only keep what they could carry in their kit and often sold their battlefield trophies to officers able to send packages home or to soldiers behind the lines who had access to storage. Selling their trophies was also a way for soldiers to make extra money.
Uniforms and insignia
5. German 'Pickelhaube'
ThisGerman spiked helmet, orPickelhaube,was taken by British Lieutenant Jack Best during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. Trophies and souvenirs were often scavenged from the battlefield but in some of the major offensives, like the Somme, soldiers could sometimes take them directly from enemy troops. These helmets were the most sought-after trophies and could be sold at high prices.
Weapons and ammunition
6. Madsen light machine gun
Captured machine guns were often painted with details of the unit that had taken them and then sent home as symbols of victory. ThisMadsen light machine gunwas captured on the Somme by men of 16thRifle Brigade.
Souvenirs and ephemera
7. Drumsticks from the Battle of the Somme
Thesedrumstickswere taken from a German dugout at Fricourt on 1 July 1916, the first day of the Battle of the Somme. They were found by Captain Eric Carus-Wilson, a Royal Engineers signals officer in the 51stBrigade, 17th (Northern) Division.
Weapons and ammunition
8. German Rifle
Canadian Captain R H Webb took this German Gewehr 98 as a souvenir after losing his own weapon and engaging in hand-to-hand combat with a German officer. Engraved on the rifle are his name and 'Beaucourt 1916' - the place and date of the rifle's capture.
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