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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

War Trophy - Field Gun


Auquhorthies

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Hi, I'm Matt the IWM London Volunteer you met yesterday (14/9/2022). Thank you for sharing your fascinating story with me and please do let the museum know the outcome. Best Regards.

Collections Online database. https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections

https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30025278


Information and applications to donate items https://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/managing/offer-material


Information on researching family history https://www.iwm.org.uk/research/tracing-your-family-history


You may also find the following useful

Our War Memorials Register https://www.iwm.org.uk/memorials


Information on the IWM Institute (including Conflict of Interest podcast) https://www.iwm.org.uk/iwm-institute


 

 

 

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It would be interesting to hear an update on how this project is going.

 

After 100 years underwater, there can be little doubt that it is rendered permanently inoperative, so police licensing is not much of an issue. As for ownership, it would appear from the articles that it was presented as a trophy to the local government authority, who had little interest and left it at the local Army Reserve (Territorial) drill hall.  As such I would consider that it is technically a crown asset and accordingly the Crown claim is never extinguished by abandonment (need to check Scottish Law). The lack of action to attempt any recovery over 100 years would certainly compromise any claim.

 

Here in Australia, most of the WW1 trophies were distributed through the Australian War Memorial in the period 1920-1922. They were presented to Local Government authorities, Schools and a small number of private individuals. In all cases, those responsible entered into a deed of trust agreement to care for and maintain the trophy in perpetuity. 

 

Within a decade they were being scrapped, sold as scrap metal and dumped in garbage pits and taken to municipal waste depots. Many were given to the Army (mostly used as range targets.). In WW2 large numbers where scrapped. They continued to be scrapped as late as 2000.  

 

Now collectors who legally purchased them from scrap metal merchants, the municipal waste depot recycling office or directly as scrap metal from the Army are being harassed by "local historical groups" who want their trophy which was stolen from their council returned.  

 

Anyway, I hope all goes well and you successfully recover your gun. If you want any practical advice on the restoration project, drop me a line, I have been doing it for 30 years now.

Cheers

Ross

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