We have been bequeathed many tangible legacies from the "Great War for Civilisation" - a time of great struggle and human turmoil, involving millions, who left all that was dear to them to endure terrible hardship in four grim years of violence, loss and change, because they believed it was right.

One legacy from their time is the "from swords to ploughshares" artistic production, popularly known to-day as "Trench Art".

This description - "Trench Art"  - originates from a WWI-era French publication, which illustrated objects made from military equipment and spent war materials by "artisanat de tranchées" (craftsmen of the trenches).

Trench Art of World War 1 - every piece holds a personal story of its creation (but more often than not, its secrets are unknown, forgotten or undiscovered).

Made in a diverse variety of forms, by Soldiers, Seamen, Airmen, the Chinese Labour Corps, Prisoners-of-War, the Wounded, Disabled Servicemen, Civilian artisans, Internees, local cottage industries for Souvenirs (such as the French cottage industry), and the jewellery trade.

This mass of artefacts, now highly sought after from a collectable and investment point of view, was crafted from a variety of Great War battlefield debris, not only during the hostilities from 1914 through 1919, but well into the post-war years.

Having collected WW1 Trench Art for some years, this website is the natural culmination of my hobby. Its content, including the Books referenced, evidences the diversity of the vast array of memory items associated with the Great War and inter-war years (1914-1939), and may inspire others to start collecting historical militaria and souvenirs to treasure for the future.

Here, one can discover a dazzling array of objects, crafted, from battlefield debris and other materials - woodwork, bonework, beadwork, decorated belts, helmets etc ! Many sizeable private and museum collections exist worldwide, no doubt with more to come in the future as interest in the Great War widens with the approach of its Centenary in 2014.......

Steven Booth
   

email: stevenbooth@fastmail.co.uk