Ep 2. World War I Special

In this episode of Antiques Roadshow UK season 41, the focus is on World War I artifacts. The team of experts visit a military museum in Wiltshire, where they meet with collectors who have brought in an array of items related to the Great War. Host Fiona Bruce and expert Andrew Robertshaw peruse a selection of items, including British and German helmets, trench art, and a rare trench periscope.

The first item to be examined is a German Pickelhaube helmet, which was worn by a German soldier during the early part of the war. The helmet was obtained by the owner's grandfather, who served in the British Army during the conflict. Andrew Robertshaw provides some historical context, explaining how the Pickelhaube was eventually phased out by German forces due to its impracticality on the battlefield. The expert also assesses the helmet's value, taking into consideration its condition and scarcity.

Another interesting piece of memorabilia is a wooden plaque featuring a carved relief of a soldier, which was likely made by a French prisoner-of-war. The owner acquired the plaque from an antiques dealer in France. Although it's a simple item, it carries with it a touching reminder of the human cost of the war. The expert admires the craftsmanship of the piece and discusses how the boredom of being a POW would drive individuals to be creative.

A common item displayed is the trench art, which is defined as any item that was made by soldiers or civilians during wartime. Many of the items seen in this episode have a functional purpose, such as a brass shell casing turned into a vase or a machine gun belt that had been repurposed to hold a pipe and tobacco. Other objects are more decorative in nature, such as a wire cage containing a miniature metal horse and cart, or a carving depicting two intertwined snakes.

In addition to the usual array of metal and wooden goods, the roadshow attendees brought along some less common items. Among them is an embroidered silk handkerchief, which belongs to one the owner's grandmother. The owner was shocked to discover pen sketches and signatures around the edges of the fabric and soon learned that the signatures belong to nurses and soldiers that her grandmother had met while serving as a teenager in a London hospital during the war. The item serves as an emotional reminder of the sacrifices and bravery of those who served on the home front.

Another fascinating item displayed is a trench periscope, which would've been used to scope out enemy positions without exposing the user to gunfire. Andrew Robertshaw explains the periscope's mechanism and how it would've been used in the trenches, before assessing its rarity and possible value.

Throughout the episode, viewers get glimpses of life during wartime. They see the uniforms and equipment that the soldiers would have used, as well as the items crafted by them in their spare time. The roadshow attendees are also given a glimpse of life on the home front, including the hospital experience for injured soldiers. The show is both educational and moving, providing a respectful tribute to those who served and lost their lives during World War I.