Archibald Sneddon worked at the Beardmore engineering factory in Coatbridge, Lanarkshire. When conscription was introduced in 1916 Sneddon was exempt because this was a key war industry. As the need for military manpower grew, he became liable for military service. He served in the army at home, and by early 1918 was a Lance-Corporal with 10th Battalion Cameronians on the front line. Sneddon took a collection of objects with him when he and his wife emigrated to the United States in 1923. This story is part of the Next of Kin touring project, revealing family stories of the First World War across Scotland (www.nms.ac.uk/connections/our-national-work/next-of-kin/). || Certificate recording Sneddon’s release from ‘reserved occupation’ status; ‘Tam o’ Shanter’ bonnet with regimental cap badge; Identity discs; Unofficial identity bracelet; Model tank made by a German prisoner of war; Telegram sent to Sneddon; Sneddon’s pay book; Book of psalms and hymns; Photograph of Sneddon in uniform.

William Dick was serving with 1st Battalion Scots Guards in trenches near Ypres, Belgium in June 1916 when he was wounded in the leg by an enemy shell. His wife at home in Haddington, East Lothian received a series of letters from his friend Corporal Stark which were reassuring at first. His leg had to be amputated but he was expected to recover. But four days after he was wounded, his condition deteriorated and he died. A collection of William's belongings were returned to Mrs Dick and she kept them with letters and papers in his memory. This story is part of the Next of Kin touring project, revealing family stories of the First World War across Scotland (www.nms.ac.uk/connections/our-national-work/next-of-kin/). || Purse; Pocket watch, Brass name-plate; Embroidered postcard sent by William Dick to his wife; Unofficial lapel badge; Scots Guards sweetheart brooch; Shell fragment which wounded him; Memorial plaque; Letter from Corporal Stark to Mrs Dick; Letter to Mrs Dick from the Chaplain at the Casualty Clearing Station; Official photograph of Dick’s grave.

The Dickson brothers Robert and Archibald were both young naval cadets when war broke out. In 1915 Robert served in the Dardanelles campaign supporting the Allied landings at Gallipoli. In 1916 the brothers were serving as midshipmen in ships based at Scapa Flow in the Orkney Isles and the Firth of Forth. Both were in action at the battle of Jutland, the biggest naval battle of the war. Archibald Dickson, aged 16, was killed that day when his ship HMS Queen Mary was destroyed. The family kept a number of objects in memory of Archibald and Robert’s experiences. This story is part of the Next of Kin touring project, revealing family stories of the First World War across Scotland (www.nms.ac.uk/connections/our-national-work/next-of-kin/). || Turkish shrapnel shell which Robert Dickson picked out of the sea near ‘ANZAC Beach’, Gallipoli; Cap worn by Archibald Dickson as a naval cadet; Photograph of Archibald Dickson wearing his cadet uniform and cap; Service medal sent to Dickson’s father as Archibald’s next of kin.