WW1 Lives: The Experience of War Artefacts
Artefacts on display in the museum
The following is a selection of items that are on display in the "World War 1 Lives" exhibition in the Fusilier Museum, Warwick. These relate to the theme of "The Experience of War".
Lieutenant Birkett Barker's uniform
Lieutenant Birkett Barker was an officer in the 1/6th Territorials. His uniform is an Officer's Service Dress. In addition to the regimental collar badges, this uniform also has a brass T signifying the territorials , a pilot's brevet ( a military commision awarded from the Royal Flying Corps) and 14-15 Star which was awarded to anyone who served outside the UK between August 1914 and December 1915. Officers were expected to pay for their own uniforms, pistol, sword and Sam Browne belt.

French soldier's 'Stable' belt 1914-18
Stable belts were striped coloured belts. The colours varied for different regiments. This one has been especially made to celebrate the 'glory of the allies' in 1918 in winning the war.

The No.5 Mark 1 Mills grenade
The No.5 Mark 1 Mills grenade, was the first British hand grenade ever to be issued on a large scale. It was made in Birmingham. The pink strip indicates that the grenade was filled with Ammonal a type of mine explosive.To detonate the grenade the safety pin had to be removed. Once the pin was pulled out, by use of the attached ring, the thrower would hold the lever down & prepare to throw. When thrown the lever would release. As the lever released the striker would drop onto a percussion cap, the blast from which lit the fuse. This burned for five seconds before it reached the detonator. A good bomber would have to be able to throw a bomb to a distance of around 30.5 m (100 feet), thus protecting themselves from the blast. It was deemed that cricketers, especially those with a good bowling arm, made the most effective bombers

German body armour
German Body armour used by Snipers initially issued to front line troops in 1916. A steel breast plate with three additional interlinking abdominal and groin breast plate connected by canvas straps and suspended from the wearers shoulders. Felt pads were used to deaden the contact noise between the plates.

British 1907 pattern 17 inch sword bayonet
These were attached to the Short Magazine Lee-Enfield according to the army training manual “The bayonet is the weapon for hand-to-hand fighting, and its use, or the threat of it, finally drives the enemy from his position or causes him to surrender.’ There are accounts however, when soldiers were less keen on using the bayonets as weapons. Many veterans have described the mundane activities for which they used their bayonet, such as toasting bread, opening tin cans, scraping mud off uniform and boots, and killing rats.

A Officer's compass
A Verners mark V111 pattern prismatic marching compass dated 1918. Used for a variety of purposes such as getting to locations, map reading, reconnaissance, identify enemy positions
This compass is engraved on the side with compass bearings & has rotating bezel & brass button to lock the rotor/dial. Inside is a blacked painted embossed aluminium dial On the base is engraved with the war departments broad arrow, serial number & 1918 date.

Metal water canteen
Metal water canteen in painted cobalt blue enamel with cork stopper and metal chain.

Trench periscope
Trench Periscope made by R&J Beck dated 1918. With the advent of trench warfare the soldier needed to observe what the enemy was up to, therefore the trench periscope was introduced . At first these were cobbled together on site but later ones like this one were produced professionally made out of brass and wood.

Silver trench whistle
Silver trench whistle marked with War Department Broad Arrow dated 1915 mounted on split finger ring. Whistles were used by Commanders to issue orders where the noise of the battlefield made it impossible for their voices to be heard.

German sandbag
German sandbag made out of hessian. The same designed existed on both sides in the war. The sandbags were filled with dirt and sand to and stacked to create a defensive wall against the enemy and protection from sniper fire.

White metal spoon
White metal spoon Boer War Army issue similar to those used in WW1.

Enamel mug
A relic 1pt British enamel white with blue rim mug with missing handle
The enamel mug was part of the soldier’s mess kit. The Tommy was always ready for a brew & it was threaded through one the straps of his haversack ready for immediate use day or night.

Loud-tac biscuit
Loud-tac or Hard-tac biscuit burnt given to 20435 Private F.T. Plater. Inscribed with graffiti in black ink 'German biscuit …and his end' showing gravestones with a setting sun.
