A brass shell case from the Italian Front on the Piave River where Walter Tull fought. It’s been made into a piece of trench art, engraved with the word PIAVE and the leaves and branches of a tree.Soldiers had lots of spare time in the trenches, and those with artistic skills sometimes created pieces of trench art, as souvenirs of the war, using whatever materials they had to hand. Empty shell cases were a favourite item and were made into all manner of useful objects from flower vases and candle holders to umbrella stands!
