Postcard of a Soldier Holding a Shell.

The shell is addressed 'zahmer Englander.'

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Postcard of a Soldier Holding a Shell.

The shell is addressed 'to Willie with compliments' a present for the Kaiser.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

'A Safe Place' German postcard from Fritz Lindshoeft to his daughter, 1917.

The text below the image reads: 'Dear Katchen (Katie), Your father sends you a loving 'hallo' from the trenches on this Saturday. And to Mummy and your brother and sister.' The sketch depicts Fritz taking a break from duty as a field telephonist in 1917. Entitled 'a safe place', Fritz attempts to reassure his young daughter about his well-being on the front line. Field telephones operated over wire lines, often using wires strung in combat conditions. Equipment for laying the wire ranged from reels on backpacks to trucks equipped with ploughs to bury lines.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Certificate Awarded to A.M. Grenfell.

The certificate was awarded for services in the field, 1919, after being mentioned in a dispatch from General Sir Douglas Haig in 1916 for 'gallant and distinguished services in the field'. The certificate is signed by Winston Churchill, who was Secretary of State for War during 1919.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Christmas Postcard, 1916.

Postcard sent from XI Corps to Lady Lyttelton.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

The student cards of East London College students who fought or died in the First World War.

202 student cards have been located in the archives from the estimated 317 students who served in the war. Those who died were commemorated in a war memorial unveiled in the Library (Octagon) in 1923. In addition many staff also served in the forces or undertook war work. One notable example is of Albert Thurston (1881-1964), who was in charge of the safety of design of British Military Aircraft. A former student of East London College, Thurston had established the first university aeronautical laboratory in 1909.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Christmas card sent from France, 1916.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Zum Weltvolk Hindurch! By Paul Rohrbach, 1915.

This pro-war work encourages Germany to spread the empire across the world. Paul Rohrbach, (1869- 1956) was a German writer concerned with world politics and a pro-colonialist.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Imperial Germany Naval, Air-Force and Army military uniform badges.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Princess Mary's Gift Fund Box, 1914.

The Gift Fund was inaugurated by Princess Mary in October 1914 to provide a gift for every serviceman at the front or at sea ('Class A') for the first Christmas of the War. The majority of gifts were for smokers and contained tobacco, cigarettes, a pipe and lighter. For non-smokers writing paper and a pencil were provided. For Indian troops candy and spices were given instead of, or in combination with, cigarettes. After Christmas 1914 the scheme was extended. A more simple gift was given out to all other servicemen ('Classes B & C') which consisted of a bullet pencil and a New Year card.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.