Denmark in the South West of WA; Recollections of War (2021)

A young evacuee, who would have worn a gas mask like the novelty one above right. Novelty masks were made to appeal to children who would otherwise be frightened by the masks. He appears to be tagged and with luggage to be sent to a safer environment away from London during the air raids.

Other types of gas masks, a gas rattle and gas siren above.

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Dioramas have been created giving a three-dimensional view of battlefields. Above left shows Red Cross personnel recovering victims from the trenches in a scorched battlefield. Above right depicts the battle at Ardennes in 1944. Note the soldiers behind the diorama; more about these figures to come.

Men of the Western Australian raised 11th Battalion photographed at the Pyramids of Giza, Cairo in Egypt, prior to going to Gallipoli.

A severe warning to would-be looters to protect premises vacated during wartime.

Above right is a crest featuring Edith Cavell and two soldiers. The photos in the pokerwork frame are a bit of a mystery, however we know the lady on the left is martyred nurse, Edith Cavell, who was shot in Belgium for helping allied soldiers escape. The two soldiers on the right are unknown but perhaps they were helped by Cavell or perhaps the whole frame is a memorial to those lost – both the men and Cavell.

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Lockets with photos of wives or sweethearts were often worn or carried by soldiers serving overseas, regardless of their nationality or allegiance.

Identity discs, now known as Dog Tags, where originally made of fibre board, but these rotted in wet conditions. Metal discs were then used, sometimes made by the soldiers themselves hence there are varying types of tags. In this collection, Kathryn has paired the tags with the story of their owner, and where found, other items that belonged to that person.

See more photos and stories from Recollections of War on the next pages