Posted on March 1, 2022

The ‘sweet-sounding’ instrument of the military band

The euphonium was invented in the 1840s and since then has formed an essential part of the brass section in...

Posted on February 11, 2022

WWI Folding Camp Equipment

I am the new Trainee Curator at Bodmin Keep and have spent the past two weeks getting to know the...

Posted on January 28, 2022

Major John Charles Burgess 46th of Foot. Co-Founder of the British Red Cross

Major John Charles Burgess 46th of Foot. Co-Founder of the British Red Cross Major Charles Burgess was invited to join...

Posted on January 28, 2022

To ‘Bite the Bullet’

Have you ever used the expression ‘bite the bullet’ and then wondered where it came from? The expression, which means...

Posted on January 28, 2022

A Moral Conscription

‘Derby Scheme’ Armband 1915 The ‘Derby Scheme’ was introduced during the First World War, as the war was lasting longer...

Posted on December 24, 2021

The Christmas Truce

During World War One, there was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires along the Western Front around the time of...

Posted on December 20, 2021

A letter of Christmas Greeting

A plea for continued sisterhood among the women of the world In 1914 as the first Christmas of the First...

Posted on December 20, 2021

Embroidered Silk Christmas Postcard

A heartfelt souvenir to be sent home from a serving soldier during World War One was an embroidered silk postcard....

Posted on December 6, 2021

Soldiers Rations

Tobacco Tobacco was highly prized by troops in World War One. Charitable organisations such as The Red Cross Society ensured...

Posted on November 25, 2021

The Battle of Hoven Wood – November 21 – 23rd 1944

The 5th DCLI were a volunteer battalion, part of the Territorial Army which was a part time component of the British...