A shell casing for a 3 pound gun, stamped December and with a serial number. It has been beautifully carved with a peace lily by a soldier in the trenches. || George Albert Johnson joined the Sherwood Foresters and was one of 3 brothers in the regiment. He was the only one to survive with his brothers buried somewhere in France. During the Battle of the Somme, he won a medal for gallantry while storming a machine gun post. He brought 2 shell casings back with him from Somme, his grandson Paul Stokoe has one and his granddaughter has the other. Paul's shell casing is carved with a peace lily. This is an example of the trench art that was made in trenches to pass the time by soldiers while waiting to fight. Paul is unsure whether his granddad carved the shell or acquired if from someone else. || || Shell casing carved with a peace lily found by George Albert Johnson || Other || Trench Life || Artillery || This is a shell casing for a 3 pound gun taken from the Somme region, probably during the Battle of the Somme. It has been carved with a peace lily and turned into trench art. George Albert Johnson, of the Sherwood Foresters brought it back to England as a reminder of his participation in the battle.

George McMullan was my great uncle. He was born in 1887 and joined the Royal Inniskilling Hussars at the start of the war. He was encouraged to join the war because of his past history at home. He died at the age of 28 on April 21st 1915. The boat he was on sunk at Gallipoli where a war commemoration statue was built in Turkey to honour those who died. My grandfather Patrick Johnson was born in 1884 and had six children. He joined the war in 1914 and was assigned to the 36th Ulster Division. He joined the war because of his nationalist ideals and he fought in order to help Ireland secure Home Rule. He fought in the Battle of the Somme and also at Ypres. He also served in the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Irish Riffles. He died in the military hospital on August 6th 1917 at the age of 33. He is buried at Menim Road, South West Flanders. || The items associated with this story are a J. Hudson & Co. 1914 whistle belonging to my grandfather Patrick Johnson and a photograph of my great uncle George McMullan and four other soldiers messing in the army barracks.

Photograph of Sgt.Alexander Johnson Medal collection. letter from Southampton (3 pages) Copy of service record || My Paternal Grandfather was a shoeing smith in the 20th Hussars and served with the British Expeditionary Force during the WW1. He served in 'C' squadron and his campaign is well documented in the book 20th Hussars in the Great War by Major J.C.Darling, D.S.O. The account of their mobilisation corresponds exactly with the letter I attach, written to his wife just prior to embarkation at Southampton || || Alexander Johnson || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694 || Front || || Front || Service record || || 50.90970040000001,-1.404350900000054 || Southampton || Front || Letter prior to embarkation || || Front || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694 || Letter prior to embarkation (page 2) || || Front || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694 || Letter prior to embarkation (page 3) || || Campaign medals || 50.8512778,2.8841944000000694