A new exhibition is coming to Sheffield Local Studies Library which tells the tale of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his campaign to save the lives of British soldiers fighting in the First World War.
Sir Conan Doyle is
famous as the creator of the fictional detective Sherlock Holmes. But he’s less
well known for his campaign to reduce casualties during the First World War,
when he used his fame to help those 'fighting for the freedom of the world'.
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| Sheffield City Archives reference: HAD/BOX 57 (Picture Sheffield: arc01674) |
The exhibition,
funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund, tells the story of that
campaign and Doyle’s call for troops to be protected with armour. It draws on
the writer’s personal papers held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds and records
of steel makers held by Sheffield City Archives.
It was Sir Robert
Hadfield of Hadfields Limited, Sheffield, who suggested using toughened
manganese steel for the Tommies’ new helmet because, although it would dent
when hit by bullets or shrapnel, it would not shatter. The same steel was later
used in body armour.
Conan Doyle’s
campaign started when, appalled by the 65,000 British casualties at the second
battle of Ypres in 1915, he wrote a letter printed in The Times (27 July 1915)
stating that helmets and armour would reduce the number of wounds caused by
shrapnel, rifle and machine gun fire. This was the start of a campaign which
lasted throughout the war, attracting the attention of the war time government.
His letters also led
to a response from manufacturing firms making armour for private purchase by
British officers who boasted that they used only the finest Sheffield steel.
Many sent Conan Doyle samples of their armour which he tested in his garden at
Crowborough with his own service rifle.
Philip Abbott, Archivist at the
Royal Armouries, said: “Conan Doyle’s concern over the heavy casualties being
suffered on the Western Front was prompted by his humanitarian nature. His
ideas on helmets, body armour and shields were a thoughtful response to the
impact on soldiers brought about by trench warfare.
Today most people
remember the writer for his fictional work but this was a cause he pursued with
great energy and passion throughout the war through the newspapers and lobbying
directly with the government of the time.”
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| Professor Walker's shield |
At the exhibition people will be
able to see some of the letters sent to Conan Doyle, a replica of the one of
the body armours made for soldiers in Sheffield, as well as photographs telling
the story of the famous author’s campaign to save the lives of British troops.
We are also hosting a free talk by Philip Abbott, Archivist at the Royal Armouries
The exhibition includes a free talk
at Sheffield’s Local Studies and Archives Library on Wednesday 11th October at
1.30pm by Philip Abbott, Archivist at the Royal Armouries. Booking your
place for the talk is advised at www.sheffieldlibraries.eventbrite.co.uk
The exhibition runs from Thursday 14th September through to Christmas 2017 at Sheffield Local Studies Library (first floor, Central Library, Surrey Street).
