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

The description "Trench Art" originates from a WWI-era French publication, which illustrated objects made from military equipment or 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 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 illustrates 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.

The three Gallery photos illustrate some of the "dazzling array of objects" which were 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 the Centenary of World War 1 in 2014.......

To research the history of Trench Art and discover more lavish and complex objects, see the "Books" Page, and pay a visit to the Trench Art related websites, via my "Web Links" page.

For the enthusiastic Collector, there are many varied items of WW1 Trench Art (and Trench Art from other wars) auctioned daily on EBAY's internet sites in the UK, France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy and Worldwide.  

For general information/background about World War 1, do visit my "History" page.

Thank you, and happy collecting !

Steven R Booth, 
   

email: stevenbooth@fastmail.co.uk