Nurse's Autograph Books Containing Contributions by the West Indian Contingent, First World War
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Two autograph books kept by Miss E Burton during her service as a nurse in Seaford War Hospital during the First World War, including drawings, sketches and verse written by soldiers of the West Indian contingent, together with a photograph of her in uniform.
The concept of a vehicle to provide troops with both mobile protection and firepower was not a new one. But in the First World War, the increasing availability of the internal combustion engine, armour plate and the continuous track, as well as the problem of trench warfare, combined to facilitate the production of the tank.
By 1918, the British were sending over 67 million lbs (30 million kg) of meat to the Western Front each month. Daily rations were meant to include fresh or frozen meat, but many meals would have consisted of tinned food, which became a familiar aspect of the British soldier’s diet.
During the First World War, Britain came under attack from the air, putting civilians in the firing line for the very first time.
At the start of the war, Britain was ill-prepared to deal with the threat from enemy airships and aircraft. Traditionally its home defence focussed on defending the coastline rather than its airspace and with most of the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) operating overseas, few aircraft remained to defend Britain.
