Arthur Reffell - Trench Art
Item
Title
Arthur Reffell - Trench Art
Who?
Arthur Edward Reffell
Item(s)
2 Spent Shell Cases, with detailed and interesting engravings on them, including WW1 tank, aeroplane and naval ships. Sadly the shell cases have been well polished so it is hard to see the engravings.
Metal Matchbox case with Mons and inscription which includes the recipients name, Arthur Edward Reffell, dated 1919. This was known as Trench Art and was made by German Prisoners of war.
Metal Matchbox case with Mons and inscription which includes the recipients name, Arthur Edward Reffell, dated 1919. This was known as Trench Art and was made by German Prisoners of war.
Story
Arthur Edward Reffell was working on the railway before WW1 and served in the Somme in The Royal Engineers, he joined as a box boy, which was exactly the same job he had in UK working in the signal boxes on the railways.
He returned from WW1 physically unscarred but mentally traumatised. Arthur never claimed his medals, and never spoke about his experiences.
In the 1930’s he tried to apply for his medals but by then was too late.
He was demobbed at the Railway Centre at Longmoore, Hampshire.
His service records were destroyed in the fires WW2.
He returned from WW1 physically unscarred but mentally traumatised. Arthur never claimed his medals, and never spoke about his experiences.
In the 1930’s he tried to apply for his medals but by then was too late.
He was demobbed at the Railway Centre at Longmoore, Hampshire.
His service records were destroyed in the fires WW2.
When?
No specific dates
Where?
France and Belgium
Contributor
John Reffell
Collection Day
South West Roadshow, Plymouth
This item was submitted on June 3, 2019