Military Gallery

Michael Collins 1890-1922) Irish Nationalist, Sinn Fein leader, founder and director

Michael Collins 1890-1922) Irish Nationalist, Sinn Fein leader, founder and director of intelligence of the Irish Republican Army 1919, minister for finance in the provisional government of the Irish Free State 1922, and for ten days Head of State before being killed. Born in County Cork, he became an active member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood and in 1916 fought in the Easter Rising. In 1918 he was elected a Sinn Fein member to the Dail, and became a minister in the Republican Provisional government. In 1921 he and Arthur Griffith were mainly responsible for the treaty that established the Irish Free State. During the ensuing civil war, Collins took command and crushed the opposition in Dublin and the large towns within a few weeks. When Griffiths died Collins became head of the state and the army, but he was ambushed near Cork by fellow Irishmen on 22nd August and killed. Topfoto stills library picture library stock archive vintage Ireland Irish Rebellion 1916

© TopFoto.co.uk

Telegraph Key (Morse Code) Type J-37

A well-used example of the portable telegraph key issued by the US Signal Corps during WW II, the Korean and Vietnam wars. It was considered to be the workhorse key being lightweight, easy to use, and of rugged construction. This version has a U-shaped clamp for attaching to the thigh. Mainly used by pilots and parachutists

© Sheila Terry

HMS Warspite EAW005978

HMS WARSPITE, Prussia Cove, Cornwall. Warspite was launched in 1913 and saw action with the Royal Navy at the Battle of Jutland in 1916. During the second world war she saw service off Norway, Italy, in the Indian Ocean, Sicily and Normandy. Plagued by steering problems almost from the outset this Queen Elizabeth class battleship was finally sold for scrap in 1947. Photographed here in May 1947, she is seen here having run her anchor during a storm and run aground while on her way to be broken up. Aerofilms Collection (see Links)

© Historic England