17 September 2024—27 June 2025

School loan box: World War 1 – the War Front

It’s 110 years since the start of the First World War. We have created two new loan boxes packed with a comprehensive collection of objects and images looking at this conflict through the perspective of both those at home, and those fighting on the Front Line.

You can choose one loan box or borrow both of them to create an extended learning experience.

This loan box: World War 1 – the War Front contains:

A description of each object
Object handling guidance
Glossary
Dog tags
Military buttons
Soldier’s wage – coins
Trench Orders
Brass button polisher
Haversack
Kit bag
British Hypo mask (Gas mask)
Soldier’s woollies
Trench art
Princess Mary Gift Fund box and contents
Victoria Cross
WW1 Service Medals
Bandage
Water bottle/canteen
British Army Trench map, Ypres
Trench Foot powder sachet and other WW1 packaging
Mess utensils, portable stove and mess rations
Cigarette case and Trench Art lighter
Selection of WW1 images and facsimiles                                                                                              The Star newspaper ‘The War is Over’                                                                                                  Embroidered postcard
Daily Mail battle pictures, Series II                                                                                                          Compass

Please fill in our enquiry form and we’ll be in touch shortly to discuss your loan. Please be aware that our loan boxes are usually only available for Bristol schools.  We sometimes lend them to schools in neighbouring authorities, subject to availability, so please contact us. We regret that we do not deliver or collect loan boxes.

Learning enquiry form

Please complete this form to start the booking process.

Your name
Providing a range of dates will help us find a suitable workshop as they book up quickly
Available at M Shed and Bristol Museum & Art Gallery only. Complimentary use when booking a workshop. Charged at £1 per child for independent visits.

School loan box: World War 1 - the Home Front