Trafford artefacts on display at Imperial War Museum North exhibition

To coincide with the centenary of the conflict, IWM is currently running an exhibition called 'From Street To Trench: A War That Shapes A Region', which explores the lives and experiences of people from the North West during the First World War.

More than 200 personal objects are displayed as part of the exhibit, including films, sound recordings, photographs, artworks and letters – many of which are on public display for the first time.

Featuring in the exhibition is Wilfred Walton, who was born in 1886 and enlisted as a member of a Pals battalion.

He joined the Army soon after the outbreak of war and was commissioned as an officer in May 1915.

He served with the 16th Battalion, Lancashire Fusiliers, known as the 2nd Salford Pals.

The battalion arrived in France in late 1915 and fought in the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

On display will be the cap and collar badges worn by Lieutenant Walton, as well as his leather boots and the whistle he used to signal to his men during battle.

The wound label attached to Wilfred during his journey home after being wounded will also feature in the exhibition.

In addition to the artefacts which belonged to Wilfred, Trafford residents may also be interested to see camera guns manufactured by Thornton-Pickard of Altrincham, which were specialist and innovative pieces of kit used to take photographs from the air.

A letter sent to Altrincham school children by the council on July 17, 199, to mark a day of peace celebrations, also features.

From Street to Trench is open daily from 10am to 5pm with free admission.

For more information, visit: iwm.org.uk