The Prisoners, by Percy Smith from the Drypoints of War series, 1916-1919.

Image Courtesy of Percy Smith Foundation.

Fuel to Dugout, by Percy Smith, 1916-1919.

Image Courtesy of Percy Smith Foundation.

The Corner Cottage at Beaumont Hamel, by Percy Smith, 1916-1919.

Image Courtesy of Percy Smith Foundation.

The Long and Winding Way, by Percy Smith from the Drypoints of War series, 1916-1919.

Percy Smith served until 1919 in France and Belgium as a gunner and experienced trench warfare. He was not an official war artist, so he had copperplates sent to him, concealed in magazines. He used them to make etchings from sketches made on the front line.

Image Courtesy of Percy Smith Foundation.

Fifteen-Inch Howitzer, by Percy Smith, 1916-1919.

Percy Smith experienced the newest most powerful naval gun, the 'fifteen inch Howitzer'۪, popularly known as 'Granny'. His attempts at sketching the gun were met with opposition and he was reported to his superiors as such sketches were 'suspicious'۪ and considered to be tantamount to a spying activity. Successive appeals at last reached General Aston, himself interested in etching, and Percy was allowed to continue unofficially.

Image Courtesy of Percy Smith Foundation.

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.

Christmas Postcard, 1916.

Postcard sent from XI Corps to Lady Lyttelton.

Image Courtesy of Queen Mary University of London Archives.

Christmas card sent from France, 1916.

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.