WW1 - TRENCH ART - LIGHTERS

[Mervyn Mitton]

During the long years of World War 1 there were many periods without fighting - and the troops became bored. They then turned to hobbies - exactly as they would have at home. The big difference was that materials were in short supply and improvisation was the order of the day.

Engraved and hammered shell cases, wooden carvings - some beautiful pieces made in the base workshops - many have survived to the present day. Sometimes the items were practical - as was the case with these lighters.

Looking closely it appears that large nuts were used to assemble the lighter - the wick would have been soaked in petrol - however, I'm not sure where the spin mechanism would have come from. The Unit decoration seems to have been greatcoat buttons.

One example here is for the Royal Engineers - the other one is the standard pattern South African button.

I don't really know much more about them - perhaps members can add their thoughts - and also, other examples of trench art ?

[Mervyn Mitton]

[leigh kitchen]

Back in the 1970's a schoolfriend's father had done some restoration work on the Cutty Sark - he made cigarette lighters out of large brass or bronze nuts & old pennies.