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 cavalry bugle of the 3rd Guard Uhlan Regiment was 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 knife was 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'

helmet Black leather helmet with grey painted steel mounts;consisting of round spike base & detachable round spike, trim to rouded front peak, spine and chinstrap lugs. Fitted to the front of the helmet is the Royal Arms of the King of Wurttemberg.

This German spiked helmet, or Pickelhaube, 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

Madsen Muskete 7.92mm light machinegun. Long aluminium legged bipod fitted, aluminium cocking handle knob, takedown lever on left rear of receiver, double sling-swivel fitting on underside of butt, extra safety switch at right-front of trigger, maker's inscription (?) ground off left of receiver.

Captured machine guns were often painted with details of the unit that had taken them and then sent home as symbols of victory. This Madsen light machine gun was captured on the Somme by men of 16th Rifle Brigade.

Souvenirs and ephemera

7. Drumsticks from the Battle of the Somme

These drumsticks were 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 51st Brigade, 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.

Related Content

Trench art jug created by a sapper in the Royal Engineers whilst he was manning an underground telephone exchange in Ypres.
© IWM EPH (3497)
First World War

Beauty From The Battlefield: 10 Pieces Of Trench Art

‘Trench art’ is a term used to describe objects made from the debris and by-products of modern warfare. Trench Art is usually associated with the First World War, although similar items have been produced in other conflicts too.

World War One Photos - The Home Front. Holidaymakers read the news of Britain’s declaration of war on Germany, Wednesday 5 August 1914
Home Front

20 Incredible Photos from the First World War Home Front

Many in Britain, as in the other warring nations, expected the First World War to be a short one. In the event, the war was to last for over four years and it would change the cultural, economic, political and social fabric of Britain forever.