P. High (shaving mirror)
Item
Title
P. High (shaving mirror)
Who?
My grandfather, who served with the Queen's own Yorkshire Dragoons in the Western Front 1916-19
Item(s)
A simple shaving mirror
Story
The war diary of II Corps Cavalry records several occasions in late July 1916 where working parties were provided to help clear up the battlefield. My grandfather was based around the 'Pope's Nose' near Thiepval in Northern France. It it likely that during one of these clearances the periscope mirror was picked up from an abandoned German trench, as a souvenir.
Periscopes were widely used by both sides to search 'no man's land' without exposing yourself to enemy fire. Perhaps the periscope was damaged and therefore the mirror was hand-made into a shaving mirror.
I don't know where the leather came from, but damaged horse saddles are the most likely source.
Periscopes were widely used by both sides to search 'no man's land' without exposing yourself to enemy fire. Perhaps the periscope was damaged and therefore the mirror was hand-made into a shaving mirror.
I don't know where the leather came from, but damaged horse saddles are the most likely source.
When?
Summer 1916
Where?
Somme, Thiepval, France
Contributor
Alec High
This item was submitted on November 23, 2018