RIFLES, grenades and medals were just some of the items passed around by visitors to a handling session run as part of The Bowes Museum’s latest exhibition, To Serve King and Country.
The handling session, which was organised by the DLI Collection, enabled visitors to see, feel and hold different pieces of equipment which were used by soldiers during the First World War.
Collection volunteer John Rolfe, who was a member of the DLI Territorial Army before he joined up and served for 20 years, was on hand to explain the different items to visitors.
Among the items were two grenades, an English version and a German model, which was significantly smaller and had fewer grooves.
Mr Royle said: “The difference is the English manufactured them to kill whereas the Germans wanted to maim people as they had worked out the number of personnel who would be tied up dealing with injured soldiers served them better.”
Other items on display included a large chunk or shrapnel from a shell casing and an original captain’s uniform complete with service chevrons and DLI bugle. The exhibition, which explores the role Teesdale played in the First World War, runs until Sunday, March 3.
