This crude wooden placard was erected by German soldiers on 1 May 1916, at Hulluch on the Western Front. The German lines were opposite the 8th Royal Munster Fusiliers and the latter shot at the sign before capturing it in a night raid some days later. It was subsequently presented to King George V who placed it in his War Museum at Windsor Castle. The message reads:

Irishmen!
Heavy uproar in Ireland
English guns are firing at
your wifes and children!
1st May 1916

The Germans hoped that by telling the Irish troops of trouble at home, they might be encouraged to surrender.