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1 of 253523 objects
Great Britain
Mounted shrapnel 1914
Steel, oak | 12.6 x 11.8 x 3.2 cm (whole object) | RCIN 69462
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Splinter of turned steel from a shell, the markings of which have been in filled with red paint, mounted on a shield-shaped oak plaque.
This piece commemorated the bombardment of Whitby by the German High Seas Fleet on 16 December 1914; considerable damage was done to Whitby including the destruction of the coast guard and signalling stations. The shell was most likely fired from the German battle cruiser SMS Von der Tann. The oak however came from the hospital ship HMHS Rohilla which had run aground off Whitby, on 30 October 1914.Provenance
Formed part of King George V's War Museum at Windsor Castle, established to display his collection of First World War souvenirs; the King was assisted by the Royal Archivist & Librarian John Fortescue (1859-1933). Many of these objects were loaned to the Imperial War Museum in 1936 at the suggestion of King Edward VIII.
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Creator(s)
(nationality)Acquirer(s)
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Medium and techniques
Steel, oak
Measurements
12.6 x 11.8 x 3.2 cm (whole object)
Category
Place of Production
Whitby [North Yorkshire]
