King's Own Royal Regiment Museum

War Trophies in Lancaster between the Wars.

Soldiers have always brought home souvenirs from their travels, both in peace and war.  Most are small souvenirs and are the sort of thing that you would find in the museum's collection.  Some are a bit larger and brought back, distributed and display with a bit more effort and permission from the authorities.

Lancaster was like many other towns and at one time you were able to find souvenirs from the Crimean and First World Wars.

Two guns, believed to be from the Crimean War period were displayed outside the Shire Hall, Lancaster Castle.  They were removed as part of the scrap for munitions drive in the Second World War.
Accession Number: LM96-45-557 (Lancaster City Museum Collections)

A colour postcard of the Crimean War era guns at the Shire Hall, Lancaster.
Accession Number: LM81-18-5 (Lancaster City Museum Collections)

The guns from the Crimea are joined by a First World War example.
Accession Number: LM86-1-35 (Lancaster City Museum Collections)

To the left of John O'Gaunt Gateway at Lancaster Castle is the First World War tank which was displayed in the 1920s and 1930s.  It was removed, along with the railings and many other metal items, in the Second World War as part of the drive for scrap for munitions.
Accession Number:  LM95-31-24 (Lancaster City Museum Collections)

A close up of the First World War tank at Lancaster Castle.
Accession Number:  LM95-31-24 (Lancaster City Museum Collections)

First World War tank outside Lancaster Castle in the 1920s.
Accession Number: LM Neg5144 (Lancaster City Museum Collections)

The removal of the guns at Lancaster Castle during the Second World War.
Accession Number: Lancaster City Museum Collections.

The removal of the railings at Williamson's Park, Lancaster, during the Second World War.
Accession Number: Lancaster City Museum Collections.