Lee Enfield Rifle
During WW1 the Lee Enfield rifle was manufactured in Birmingham at two factories: the Birmingham Small Arms Company in Small Heath (at BSA Guns, Armoury Road) and the Royal Small Arms Factory in Sparkbrook. ...
Memorial Birdbath to Rose Sidgwick
Rose Sidgwick (1877- 1918)
This memorial stands in the grounds of Birmingham Business School, formerly University House, in Edgbaston Park Road. It commemorates the life of Rose Sidgwick, a pioneer ...
Mills Grenade
This First World War hand grenade is one of the original ‘Mills Bombs’ manufactured at the Mills Munitions Factory in Bridge Street West, Newtown, Birmingham, which supplied the bomb to the British and ...
Pin and Flag in Support of Belgian Refugees
This pin and flag was issued by the Birmingham Belgian Refugee Committee, which included Elizabeth Cadbury amongst its members and which was formed by the City to raise money and provide food and shelter ...
Police Whistle
Whistle used by Birmingham City Police. Officers from this force patrolled the city's parks until the formation of the Parks Police in 1912
Reverse of Commemorative Medal
Medal issued to mark the opening of Calthorpe Park. 'To commemorate the auspicious visit of His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge to the town of Birmingham on the occasion of the opening of Calthorpe ...
Roland Grenade
This is a section of the Belgian Army hand grenade used by Allied forces at the start of WW1; William Mills, who had settled in Edgbaston and owned engineering factories in the suburbs, accepted commissions ...
Roller Skates
Ice skating on frozen ponds, boating pools and lakes in Birmingham’s parks was popular during both the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, although restrictions were placed on the activity by the Parks ...
Sporrophon Gramophone (weight driven)
One elderly resident of Kingstanding Estate in east Birmingham recalled that as tenants gradually began to settle into their new lives they also started to manage their money better and got better dressed.1 ...
St John Ambulance Armband
This St John Ambulance armband dates from the WW1 period when the Order of St John and the British Red Cross Society first came together to support the Armed Forces Medical Services; in November 1914 ...
Swimming Costume
Woman's woollen one-piece bathing costume.
TASCoS Box of Bicarbonate of Soda
Ten Acres and Stirchley Co-operative Society [TASCoS]
The carton for bicarbonate of soda was purchased from the TASCoS chemist in Stirchley. Also known as baking soda, this key ingredient in bread ...
Tram Conductor's Uniform
Transport Workers in South-West Birmingham
This tram conductor’s uniform represents the human dimension of a mechanised response to suburban needs. A vast army of drivers, conductors, mechanics, cleaners ...
War Munitions Volunteer Badge
This badge was in use from 1916 and was assigned to skilled men not already involved in other vital war work; they were issued by the Ministry of Munitions for employees of official armaments companies ...
White Cotton Cap worn by a Cadbury's Employee
This white cap is one of a number of items donated by Amelia Drew, an employee at Cadbury’s Bournville Works during the early twentieth century. This particular cap dates from 1941 and, therefore, it ...
Women's Hat
By the beginning of the First World War, women’s hats had assumed gigantic proportions. The corsets fashionable at the time tended to push the body forward at the bust and out at the rear; a large hat ...
Women's Tennis Dress
By the early twentieth century women were taking an increasing interest in sport. This led to special clothes being designed for particular activities. The popularity of cycling brought about some revolutionary ...
Women's Two-Piece Dress
Important developments were taking place in the role of women in the early twentieth century, with growing interest in women’s rights, the Suffragette movement demanding votes for women, and increased ...