Souvenirs

Embroidery and appliqué on silk with wording added in gold paint. This may originally have been a cushion cover but fading and marks around the border suggest that it has been framed. This was given by Private Albert Randall (268616) to his sweetheart Lily in November 1916.

Black velvet panel with an orange fringe decorated with machine-embroidery in chain stitch using a multi-coloured thread. This was made just prior to Suez Crisis 1956 with a Queen’s crown representing Queen Elizabeth II.

Three embroidered postcards sent from France by Private Bert Shirley to his wife. These were commercial card blanks embroidered and sold in France. The plane in the bottom card is a Bleriot mono plane design from early WW1. The practice of union jacks on planes was replaced with the roundels design during WW1. (Link to A4)

Silk lady’s handkerchief with lace edging. The ‘Antelope in Garter’ motif and ‘Royal Warwickshire Regiment’ are embroidered on a separate gauze panel and attached with chain stitch. This may have been made using a pack supplied to regiments during WW2. Similar panels can be seen on B5 and B6, and in the collections of a number of other museums.

Table or mantlepiece runner with applique panel showing Regimental emblems, similar to the one used on the handkerchief B4.It has multi-coloured machine embroidery in chain stitch, similar to that in B2.

A mantlepiece runner with applique panel and multi-coloured machine embroidery in chain stitch, similar to B5. This was given by Thomas Meakin to his mother.

Silk lady’s handkerchief with lace edging and a corner pocket for a powder puff. The regimental badge is embroidered directly onto the handkerchief, possible following a transferred design. Given in the Second World War by a husband to his wife.

Sweetheart pin cushion from WW1 with Royal Warwickshire Regiment labels and insignia. It belonged to Private Eli Smith 14563 who was killed in action 5th November 1915. He had enlisted in Walsgrave-on-Sowe, Coventry. Sweetheart pin cushions were produced by servicemen as mementoes for loved ones. Early examples date back to the late nineteenth century but most surviving pin cushions were produced by recuperating wounded or sick soldiers during World War One. As well as decorative beadwork and embroidery the pin cushions can include pre-printed labels with insignia, poetry, mottoes, and other expressions of love.