More on the First World War

Pip, Squeak & Wilfred: The trio of commemorative medals issued to members of British and Empire forces who took part in the Great War - the 1914 Star or 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal 1914 -1920 and the Victory Medal 1914-1918 - were nicknamed Pip, Squeak and Wilfred after popular cartoon characters in the Daily Mirror. All three medals have the recipient's name, service number and regiment or corps stamped on them. On the Stars these details are on the back - the other two medals have them on their edges.

Women's Land Army: Germany successfully mounted naval blockades on Britain's food imports, which made up half of the country's requirements. There was an acute farm labour shortage because workers were needed for military service and horses were commandeered by the forces. In 1917 the harvest failed and Britain was left with just three weeks' reserve of food. Famine loomed. The Government's Food Production Department set up the Women's Land Army. Lady Trudie Denman (of the then fledgling Women's Institute) was appointed to organise the WLA and by 1918 there were 23,000 Land Girls at work milking, ploughing, herding and even thatching. In 1919 it was disbanded as men returned home and shipping once again delivered food to Britain.

The First Blitz: On the night of 19 January 1915, the first airship raid on Britain took place. Zeppelins of the Imperial German Navy Airship Division dropped bombs on Great Yarmouth and King's Lynn, killing five people. During the entire war 56 tons of bombs fell on London and 214 tons elsewhere. Bombs were dropped throughout East Anglia. Britain eventually responded to the Zeppelins with its own airships, the Pulham Pigs. Famously Zeppelin L48 was shot down and crashed in flames at Holly Tree Farm, Theberton on June 17th 1917 with two crewmen surviving.