Researching First World War Objects

It was Princess Mary's express wish that 'every sailor afloat and every soldier at the front' should have the present. The gifts were devised in October 1914 and intended for distribution to all who were serving overseas or at sea, in time for Christmas 1914.

Demobilisation Papers were issued to every soldier after they were demobilised (taken out of active service) at the end of the war. Any soldier who was still serving at the end of the war would have received these papers. 

The embroidered silk postcard is a common souvenir of the First World War. They are blank postcards onto which an embossed paper surround has been glued, to frame and hold a central piece of silk.

Military identity tags, usually in metal or compressed fibre, are discs designed to be worn at all times and to record an individual’s identity. The British Army introduced them in 1907. They were produced within each unit, and stamped with key information, typically service number, surname and initials, regiment, and sometimes battalion and rank. Religion was also indicated.

The Next of Kin Memorial Plaque is a bronze plaque approximately 11 cms or 4½  inches diameter with the name of someone who died serving with the British and Empire forces in the First World War. This was issued to the Next of Kin of the casualty along with the scroll.

Trench Art is a misleading term given today to a wide variety of decorative items, sometimes also functional, produced during or soon after the First World War (though the term is also applied to products of both earlier and more recent wars).

Small hollow off-white china ornaments, decorated with civic arms and other crests, were popular souvenirs with many people who travelled in the years immediately before the First World War, especially at seaside resorts.

These small, metal pin badges were worn by civilians during the First World War in order to indicate that the person wearing it was on engaged in important war-work. Several of these badges were officially produced and distributed nationally but many more were produced privately by employing companies to support their employees.

Detachable badges in metal or cloth are a key element of military uniforms. They can be worn  on a cap, collar, shoulder, arm, or cuff. They can be stitched, or attached with brass pins or ‘sliders’. 

Read about the key differences between Britain's highest awards recognising acts of extreme military and civilian bravery; The Victoria Cross and The George Cross.

A Service Medal is awarded to all those who meet a particular set of criteria. These criteria are usually that an individual has served in a specific area, usually for a specified minimum time between set dates.