Maurice French, the contributors father, served as an Old Contemptible in the 2nd Suffolk Regiment. He served at Mons and was taken prisoner of war on 26th August 1914 at Le Cateau. He stayed in several POW camps and ended the war in Holland, where he would live the rest of his life, employed by the British Embassy. Sidney Webb, the contributors father in law, served throughout the war and was wounded twice. He brought back, as a souvenir, the holder of a German entrenching tool. It was taken on 5-6 June 1916 in Bouzincourt, during a raid by the 11th Service Battalion, Border Regiment. || POW Attestation from the ICRC (International Committee of the Red Cross ) and 2 press clippings about Maurice French. Box with miniature medals, full set with Mons Star, etc., British Legion badge, Old Contemptibles badge, belonging to Maurice French. Certificate of embodiment of Sidney Webb. Holder of German entrenching tool, taken during a raid, belonging to Sidney Webb.

Jim & Jack O'Keeffe Born in Ballynoe County Cork. Son of John and Mary O'Keeffe, of Newtown Cottage, Ballynoe, Co. Cork.. Buried Commemorated Plymouth Naval Memorial. James (Jim) O’Keeffe, K32657, Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Tornado. K.I.A. 23/12/1917 aged 22 HMS Tornado, HMS Torrent and HMS Surprise, were all three lost to a minefield laid by the Germans one month before, near the Maas light Vessel to protect the port of Rotterdam. They were all three just newly built in 1916-1917 and were at that time the best destroyers the British Royal Navy had. HMS Torrent hit first, HMS Surprise went to assist and was mined, and as HMS Tornado tried to get clear, she detonated two mines and sank with only one survivor. Only HMS Radiant got home. A total of 252 men were lost. John (Jack) O’Keeffe, K32179. Stoker 1st Class, H.M.S. Bittern. Died 4th, April, 1918 aged 20 On 4 April 1918, Bittern was involved in a collision with SS Kenilworth off the Isle of Portland in thick fog. The destroyer was overwhelmed and sank quickly with the loss of all hands || One photo, two men in naval uniform

My Grandfather who was shot and wounded. The story recounts the cigarette case that saved his life. || Photographs of cigarette case and soldier's diary with bullet hole. Diary has notes and drawings. Also photographs and a postcard. || || james william tallant || personal diary with bullet hole || my grandfathers war diary || Diary || || Western Front || my grandfather lifesaver || Memorabilia || this was the diary and metal cigarette case that was reported to have saved his life. the bullet has penetrated both entering and exiting his chest while on service. the diaty entries stop for a few days then resume as he was repatriated . || james william tallant || || newspaper report of grandfathers wounding || report of injury and photo of my grandfather || || my grandfather RSM back row 1st left. with officers. how many survived?? || photo || || Front row 1st left. my grandfather on parade || on parade || || this was taken we believe after his repatriation due to injury with future wife, Lily || grandfather and fiance || Home Front || || still together on their golden wedding anniversary || 50th wedding anniversary || || Official document || Artillery || Western Front || Trench Life || order of battle? || this looks like some order of battle found with his posessions || || memorabilia || found within my grandfathers posessions. presumably found by him