First World War

The Wipers Times: The soldiers’ paper

Full of the dark humour typical of soldiers at war, 'The Wipers Times' was one of the finest of many trench publications produced on the Western Front.

The original bulletproof vest?

During the First World War, Private Stephen Palmer was sent an Oxo tin that ended up saving his life. Here, we delve deeper into his story and explore some other soldiers' unconventional life-saving possessions.

Army fashion statements

The Army's influence on fashion is not new. Military dress has made its way from conflict to catwalk over and over again.

The birth of plastic surgery

The First World War saw a huge rise in the number of drastic facial injuries. This led to the development of modern facial reconstructive surgery.

Lawrence of Arabia: The man behind the robes

Few British soldiers have a greater legend attached to them than Colonel TE Lawrence - better known as Lawrence of Arabia.

The British Army entrusted its secrets to birdbrains

During the First World War, the Army often relied on pigeons to deliver important military information. These birds quickly gained a reputation as one of the most reliable forms of communication.

Scottish poppy blooms again

Artificial poppies were first sold in Britain in 1921 and have since become one of the main symbols of Remembrance. This Scottish poppy dates from the early days of the Poppy Appeal.

Battle of the Somme

The 1916 Somme offensive was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. But it provided the Army with a tough lesson in how to fight a large-scale modern war.

First World War

The First World War was the first truly global conflict. From 1914 to 1918, fighting took place across several continents, at sea and, for the first time, in the air.

Royal Flying Corps

The Royal Flying Corps was the air arm of the British Army during the First World War.

Video

Operation Science: Body Armour

Go behind the scenes at the National Army Museum to discover more about an unusual item in our collection.

Home activity

Make Your Own Gift Tin

Discover the story of the Princess Mary Gift Tin in this family-friendly, festive First World War activity.

The Unknown Warrior prior to embarkation at Boulogne, 1920

Video

Virtual Exhibition: The Unknown Warrior

Discover the extraordinary story of the First World War’s Unknown Warrior through our virtual exhibition.

Home Activity

How to Draw: Desert edition

Use our step-by-step instructions to try your hand at desert-themed drawings.

Home Activity

How to Draw: Transport edition

Use our step-by-step instructions to have a go at drawing Army transport.

Video

The story of conscription

Explore the story of conscription from its origins before the First World War, through National Service and beyond.

Video

Easter Rising 1916

Watch experts from museums in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland sharing their thoughts on objects from our Easter Rising collection.

Video

Commonwealth soldiers in Palestine

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to Britain's First World War effort in Palestine.

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Commonwealth soldiers in East Africa

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to Britain's First World War effort in East Africa.

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Commonwealth soldiers on the Western Front

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to Britain's First World War effort on the Western Front.

Video

Commonwealth soldiers at Gallipoli

Discover the diverse range of soldiers who contributed to Britain's First World War effort at Gallipoli.

Video

Somme 1916

Explore the story of the Somme through a selection of objects from the National Army Museum's collections.