World War 1

Trench ArtBy Isabel Nayler

What is Trench Art?Trench Art is what the soldiers in World War One made using exploded shells, bombs and bullets. They made things because they were bored when they were waiting for the next battle, or if they were prisoners of war.The soldiers made souvenirs and some useful objects, such as ashtrays (most soldiers smoked because they were given cigarettes in their rations). They also made letter openers.

My Great-Great-GrandadMy great-great-grandad was called Cecil Douglas Elsley Newman. He was born on the 7th October 1897 and he enlisted to join the army at the start of the war in 1914. He served for 4 years and he brought back some trench art, which I have brought in to show you.This is a picture of him in his uniform.

Great-great-grandad

This is a photo of my great-great-grandad in hospital in Malta in 1917.

These are brass shell cases. On the bottom of the shells you can see the dates they were made and how big they were. These have been made into vases.

The letter openers have bullet handles and two of them have buttons from a soldier’s uniform. They are engraved with the names and dates of battles. I think they did this using a hammer and a bent nail.The knives are very sharp!

These are ashtrays and a matchbox holder or cigarette packet holder.

One has a 1914 penny on it and half bullet cases for putting a cigarette.

One is engraved with the names of four battles and 31st MAC. MAC is the Motor Ambulance Convoy.

The last one has bullets in each corner and a bigger bullet case in the middle.