Wearing battledress of 1914, including 1908 webset showing variations in clip pockets, holding a short magazine Lee Enfield rifle and 1907 bayonet.

Non-rubberised early Gas Mask used by the Germans during WW1. The base of the fabric hood tucked into the collar. To protect against British gas attacks.

Protective mask used in tanks. The tank crews used many purpose built and adapted items of head gear to protect themselves from the splinters of hot metal created by bullets hitting the tank.

Called a Racquet owing to it's shape. The small lever is straightened from the safety position and the pin is pulled, this releases a plunger held back by a spring which fires a percussion cap igniting the delay fuse, at this point the unit is thrown.

Developed by prisoners in German camps during World War 2, and used whilst being evacuated from occupied territories after the Normandy landings. Using tea from their Red Cross parcels and dried twigs or other material ignited in the empty clay lined Klim milk tin, to produce enough heat to boil water. Inside the tin with the handle is a crude fan; turning the handle forced air onto the flame exactly like a Blacksmiths Forge.

Developed in England as far back as 1938. This model was used during the Blitz, but only over the sea lest it should fall into enemy hands. Later it was handed to the USA who made a version which used radar and helped to bring down the V1 (Doodlebug).

This weapon was not popular with the troops who used it. It was difficult to load as the operator had to stand on the shoulder piece and pull to compress a large spring until the trigger engaged. When the first projectile was fired a small charge fitted in the hollow tube within the bomb ignited; this re-cocked the weapon ready for the next bomb. Not only was the projectile unreliable in its effect but often the unit did not re-engage ready for the next bomb. Effective Range 109 yds 98 mtrs. Metal Piecing Power 3.9 inch 100 mm.

Stored in the aircraft folded, when released the wings opened and rotated the shaft into the bomb thus arming it. Fitted with 3 fuzes, the 41 fuze detonated on impact, the 67 fuze was time delayed between 5 and 30 minutes, and the 70 fuze which detonated if the bomb was moved. As these bombs were so dangerous most were destroyed on the spot (if they failed to explode). This one was painted green and yellow. The U.S. copied the bomb and it was used in Korea and Vietnam, designated the M83

The B2 or Type 3 Mk2 was developed by Major John Brown (then Captain) in 1942 and replaced an earlier version, the A Mk 3. With at least 60ft. of Aerial and a good earth a range of 1000 miles was achievable. One of the features was the power supply, which could operate from 120 or 240 volt mains or a 6 volt car battery. It could be dropped by air in watertight cases (often concealed in rivers or lakes) or worn as a backpack. This is John Brown's most famous radio set.

A small portable ground station for communication between searchlight section headquarters and anti-aircraft batteries. It replaced signal lamps. Designed by Stanley Lewer in 1939 for searchlight Territorial units during the war. This unit is original apart from the repainted front panel which was badly corroded, but the colour is the same. Serial No. 4617 one of the first series.

A manpack portable set for short range communications, carried by one man and operated by a second. Range with 11ft rod over 5 miles using speech; 10 miles using CW (Morse). The front panels are normally grey, black panels were usually for special operations use. First produced in 1940 by Bush Radio.

This model was made in the USA by the ZENITH Corp and has Russian and English on the face plate.

Designed by Murphy Radio, and using separate battery pack could be carried by one man. Not the first true manpack, the WS No13 in 1937 was not so successful. Range half a mile with 4 foot rod, 2 miles using 12 foot rod, supplied with headset and throat microphone.

Developed for Combined Operation Command, providing radio communication under difficult conditions, such as sea landing operations. Manufactured by E.K.COLE (ECKO) and used during D-DAY. This set was advanced for its time. Range 8 miles, batteries are carried in a separate pack.

Used in the Fairy Swordfish flying boat and other aircraft between the two world wars. Its companion was the R1115 transmitter.

Used in the Avro Lancaster and other large aircraft during WW2.

Used in Naval Vessels as an emergency source of power in the event of generator failure. This unit could provide enough power to run a small transmitter or charge other batteries.

In service mainly in Northern Ireland during the 80's, fitted with a Clansman 353, 320 and 351 Manpack VHF Radios also Larkspur C12 and C45 Transceivers, military reg. number 53KG58, yellow flag indicates disabled vehicle.

The vehicle is fitted with four Wireless sets plus one Manpack. The sets are -
C12 (middle left on table) Made by PYE ( Larkspur Range ) Basically similar to the WS 19 but does not include the B set, it has the same case and weight and dimensions but a wider frequency range, covering 1.6 Mhz to 10 Mhz AM, Voice or CW (Morse). 5 Watts Voice 8 Watts CW.
C45 ( middle right on table ) Developed around 1955 working VHF Frequencies, FM from 23 Mhz to 38 Mhz, identical to the C42 which worked 60 Mhz to 36 Mhz also FM, only 15 Watts.
R351 (middle front) Made by Racal and introduced around 1985. The R351 can be mounted in vehicle bracket ( top left ) or used as a manpack. Some of these units are still in use today (2005). Frequency range 30 to 70 Mhz FM only, power 4 watts, or 20 watts using clip on amplifier 352 as shown.
R353 (far left) Made by Marconi Racal, Vehicle unit same frequencies and modes of operation as the R351 but power up to 50 watts from the vehicle antennae, the large boxes on the wings are aerial tuning units for Racal FM sets.
R320 (top left) Made by Racal. A manpack unit mounted in a vehicle frame this set was designed to communicate with base stations or each other using AM, CW or upper sideband modes rather than FM. Frequency range 2 to 30 Mhz.

In the late 1950's 678 German War Cemeteries were abandoned and all human remains were put in one of 5 mass graves. The ground of the former cemeteries was reclaimed by local farmers and the grave markers ended up mainly as construction or firewood. Buhnen Bernard's remains were transfered to the Langemark Studenten Friedhof and he now rests with 24,916 others. His marker survived.

Including a Baby's Gas Chamber (Gas Mask), Air Raid warden's helmet fitted with torch, a WW1 gas rattle, and a gas mask used by civil services.

Including Post Cards sent from the trenches, a Kodak 1914 Pocket Camera, and a Princess Mary Gift Tin.

Collection by the late veteran donated to the Museum. He joined the Northamptonshire Regiment and was discharged on 18 June 1919.