'In Time of War: a few words to girls' and 'In Time of War: a few words to mothers', 1914.

Written by Lavinia Talbot these two booklets make suggestions on how to behave and how to help during the War. Ideas include keeping up with newspaper reports of the war and buying a map to follow along, learning how to cook economically and how to garden, and learning to speak French to help teach the Belgian refugee children. Excerpts include: 'Do not let a mischievous excitement and restlessness, caused by the neighbourhood of these large camps of men, hinder you from doing your best at home in serving your country bravely and nobly, helping in every way you can.'

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Higgledy-Piggledy, nursery rhyme reworked for propaganda purposes, 1914-1918.

Rhyme accompanying the caricature:

'Higgledy-piggledy, my black hun!
She lays mines where the trade ships run;
Friends and foes she treats as one -
Higgledy-piggledy, my black hun!'

In February 1915 Germany declared the waters surrounding British Isles to be a war zone in which ships could be sunk without warning, and began the first U-Boat campaign with unrestricted attacks against merchant and passenger ships. The British Navy retaliated in March by imposing a total sea blockade on Germany, prohibiting all shipping imports including food.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Chelsea War Refugees' fund booklet, 1918-1920.

Booklet listing the work done and those involved in the Chelsea War Refugees' Fund. Patrons of the fund included General Sir Neville Lyttelton and his wife Katherine Lyttelton, who was also the chair of the executive committee.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Shell Refashioned Into a Vase.

'Trench art' describes objects made from the debris and by-products of modern warfare. It is most often associated with the First World War. Decorated shell cases are perhaps the most common type of trench art. Most trench art was made by servicemen to pass the time when not in the front line. Prisoners of war, faced with a constant battle against boredom, produced similar items. Examples of trench art were also made by local civilians for sale to soldiers. This industry continued after the war, with trench art-type objects being created as souvenirs for the visitors to battlefields and cemeteries.

East London College Calendar, 1918.

In February 1918 the Principal reported that air raids made it difficult to continue. Casualty lists are printed throughout the Calendars and the East London College Magazine.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Christmas Card, 1919.

The card commemorates the 'European War 1914-1919.' The card is signed 'The officers 3rd Battalion Rifle Brigade.'

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Letter to Katherine Lyttelton from Belgian Minister, 12th June 1918.

A letter sent to Katherine Lyttelton to notify her that she had been awarded the 'M̩daille de la reine Elisabeth' (Queen Elisabeth Medal) by the King of Belgium, for her services to Belgian refugees. Katherine was involved in many projects throughout the war to house and find work for refugees in England. She also helped collect funds and supplies for those still in Belgium.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Westfield College Magazine advertisement for vacation and land work, May 1917.

A 'War Club' was formed by Miss Sergeant, a history lecturer, with the mission of 'thinking' and 'doing'. Members discussed problems of post war reconstruction, and during the vacations carried out fruit picking and other land work, such as sweeping snow from the Hampstead streets, in order to earn money for the Red Cross. They also dispatched letters and parcels to prisoners of war.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Newspaper Cutting, 1914.

Newspaper cutting depicting the photographs of six men killed in action. Among those who lost their life was Riversdale 'Rivy' Grenfell (middle, right), twin brother to Francis Grenfell. In September of 1914 while directing fire on German positions, Rivy was shot and killed. He was buried in the cemetery at Vendresse.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Decorated Pressed Leaf from Francis Grenfell's Grave.

A leaf kept as a memento from Francis Grenfell's grave. The leaf has been pressed and decorated.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.