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Defence Collection

Background imageDefence Collection: The Admission by H. M. Bateman

The Admission by H. M. Bateman
A courtroom erupts into laughter as a defendant in a witness box admits the truth. Date: 1931

Background imageDefence Collection: Defence of Chateau de Hougoumont - Battle of Waterloo

Defence of Chateau de Hougoumont - Battle of Waterloo
Defence of the Chateau de Hougoumont by the flank company, Coldstream GuardsWatercolour by Denis Dighton, 1815Associated with Napoleonic Wars

Background imageDefence Collection: Flag of the Scottish Covenanters

Flag of the Scottish Covenanters
The Flag of the Scottish Covenanters. They were Presbyterians sworn to defend their religion, part of a Protestant effort to seize power in Scotland against the English

Background imageDefence Collection: British WWII poster

British WWII poster
Help Britain Finish the Job! - wartime poster drumming up support for British forces, illustrated by five soldiers manning an anti-aircraft gun for defence of the coast

Background imageDefence Collection: WW2 Poster -- Women of Britain Come Forward Now

WW2 Poster -- Women of Britain Come Forward Now
Women of Britain -- These scientific instruments demand nimble fingers and quick brains. Come Forward Now. Recruitment poster, Auxiliary Territorial Service

Background imageDefence Collection: Gloster Gladiator

Gloster Gladiator
The last of Britains biplane fighters, it entered service in 1937 and took part in World War Two, notably in the defence of Malta, though quite outclassed by its opponents

Background imageDefence Collection: Recruitment Poster - British Military 1900

Recruitment Poster - British Military 1900
THE BUFFS EAST KENT REGIMENT, 1900 (c). Poster, artist unknown, published for the Ministry of Defence, 1900 (c). Recruitment poster with uniform studies of soldiers from 1572 to 1896

Background imageDefence Collection: Haltwhistle Milecastle

Haltwhistle Milecastle
A view toward the Haltwhistle milecastle, on the southern side of Hadrians Wall. The milecastles served as stationing posts along the length of the wall system

Background imageDefence Collection: Singapore, bastion in the East, by G. H. Davis

Singapore, bastion in the East, by G. H. Davis
Britains great bastion in the East: Singapore, stubborn obstacle to Japans ambitious projects in Southern Asia during the Second World War

Background imageDefence Collection: Two Wellington bombers by G. H. Davis

Two Wellington bombers by G. H. Davis
Two Wellington bombers: two outstanding aircraft ready to strike. Equally famous in attack and defence: a Wellington MK 1A and (above) a Wellington Mk II. Date: 1940

Background imageDefence Collection: Baroque main gate of the Royal Citadel, Plymouth, Devon

Baroque main gate of the Royal Citadel, Plymouth, Devon
The Baroque main gate of the Royal Citadel, Plymouth, Devon Date: circa 1910s

Background imageDefence Collection: AFS despatch rider and messenger, WW2

AFS despatch rider and messenger, WW2
An AFS (Auxiliary Fire Service) despatch rider and messenger on a motorbike at an LFS sub-station during the Second World War

Background imageDefence Collection: First English Civil War: Siege of Lathom House, 1644

First English Civil War: Siege of Lathom House, 1644
Royalist stronghold Lathom House in Lancashire defies Parlimentarian pressure and raises the royal standard. The ensuing siege lasted three months, but was eventually lifted

Background imageDefence Collection: Trades union membership certificate

Trades union membership certificate
A trades union membership certificate for the United Operative Plumbers Association of Great Britain and Ireland, with Defence and Defiance as their motto

Background imageDefence Collection: Empire Air Day Poster

Empire Air Day Poster
A poster for the Empire Air Day on Saturday 20th May 1939 at Warmwell near Dorchester. The Hawker Hurricane planes played a key role in attack and defence during WW2

Background imageDefence Collection: ?Army. Protecting Britain?s future?, 1993

?Army. Protecting Britain?s future?, 1993.Colour photolithograph recruiting poster, published by Ministry of Defence, 1993. Date: 1993

Background imageDefence Collection: Winston Churchil visiting gun sites, England, 1944

Winston Churchil visiting gun sites, England, 1944
Winston Churchill visiting anti flying bomb defences in June 1944. Seen here at a gun battery in southern England. The caption on the back of the photograph reads, " The Prime Minister today

Background imageDefence Collection: Ww2 Gas Mask

Ww2 Gas Mask
A man demonstrates how to put on a gas mask

Background imageDefence Collection: Siege of Malta 1565

Siege of Malta 1565
Jean de la Valette defends the island against the Turks

Background imageDefence Collection: Winston Churchill and his daughter unite for the war effort

Winston Churchill and his daughter unite for the war effort
Mr. Churchill at a London gun site during a raid:drawing made on the spot. The premier watches his daughter, subaltern Mary Churchill, in the control room

Background imageDefence Collection: Soldiers doing target practice on a shooting range

Soldiers doing target practice on a shooting range
A group of men doing target practice on a shooting range before the outbreak of the First World War. Their success or otherwise is written up on various blackboards

Background imageDefence Collection: Siege of Londonderry

Siege of Londonderry
SIEGE OF LONDONDERRY A popular image depicting the successful defence of the city by the protestants against James II

Background imageDefence Collection: Wellington reorganizes his defence - Battle of Waterloo

Wellington reorganizes his defence - Battle of Waterloo
7pm - June 18, 1815. The Duke of Wellington reorganizes his central defence after the loss of La Haye Sainte. At the same time, The Prussians once again regain control of Plancenoit

Background imageDefence Collection: WW2 poster, Beware of Spies

WW2 poster, Beware of Spies
WW2 poster, Warning! Beware of Spies! Don t Talk. The Enemy Has Ears Everywhere. Published in September 1939, on the outbreak of the Second World War. Date: 1939

Background imageDefence Collection: William Thompsons fight off Poole, Dorset, 30 May 1695

William Thompsons fight off Poole, Dorset, 30 May 1695. Thompson was a local fisherman whose fishing boat was fired on by a French privateer near the Isle of Purbeck

Background imageDefence Collection: Advertisement, James Figg, sword fighting, boxing

Advertisement, James Figg, sword fighting, boxing
Advertisement for the services of the champion boxer James Figg - teaching gentlemen the use of the small backsword and quarterstaff, at home and abroad

Background imageDefence Collection: Woman police officer in self-defence exercise

Woman police officer in self-defence exercise
Woman police officer (Moya Wood-Heath) taking part in a self-defence demonstration exercise at an outdoor event, watched by spectators. Date: circa early 1970s

Background imageDefence Collection: WW2 Poster -- ATS Eyes Of The Guns

WW2 Poster -- ATS Eyes Of The Guns
ATS Eyes Of The Guns. Recruitment poster, Auxiliary Territorial Service. Colour photolithograph by Beverley Pick, published by HMSO. Showing women helping with anti-aircraft defence. Date: 1940

Background imageDefence Collection: Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude

Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude
A Japan - Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A5M4 Claude Parked Date: 1940s

Background imageDefence Collection: Mitsubishi A5M Claude

Mitsubishi A5M Claude
A Japan - Imperial Japanese Navy Mitsubishi A5M Claude Parked Date: 1940s

Background imageDefence Collection: The Modern Boy front cover - Nelson polar bear attack

The Modern Boy front cover - Nelson polar bear attack
Front cover of The Modern Boy featuring an illustration showing Horatio Nelson when young fighting off an attack from a polar bear when his ship was frozen in ice in the Arctic. Date: 1932

Background imageDefence Collection: Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg (1661-1747). Corfu. Gree

Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg (1661-1747). Corfu. Gree
Johann Matthias von der Schulenburg (1661-1747). Marshal defender of the city of Corfu of the Turkish invasion of 1716. Marble statue. Corfu. Ionian Islands. Greece

Background imageDefence Collection: Map, Britain -- Spearhead of Attack, WW2

Map, Britain -- Spearhead of Attack, WW2. Date: 1940s

Background imageDefence Collection: Blitz in London -- Auxiliary towing vehicle and trailer, WW2

Blitz in London -- Auxiliary towing vehicle and trailer, WW2
An example of an Auxiliary towing vehicle and its trailer pump, used during the London Blitz. Such units would have been allocated to sub-stations (under the control of a regular fire station)

Background imageDefence Collection: British troops WWII

British troops WWII
Pictures of the 4th Border Regiment who held a large sector of the Somme during a vital stage in the German advance. They were an ordinary Infantry Battalion

Background imageDefence Collection: England / Lyme Regis

England / Lyme Regis
Jane Austens Corner by the harbour of Lyme Regis, Dorset. The start of The Cobb sea defence is just visible to the left of the picture

Background imageDefence Collection: Margery Crandon 7

Margery Crandon 7
Spirit photo of controversial American medium Margery, with alleged spirit faces. Few today would attempt a defence of Margery - writes investigator J Gordon Melton

Background imageDefence Collection: Cicero V Verres

Cicero V Verres
Cicero leads the opposition against Verres, governor of Sicily, who will throw up his defence and take flight

Background imageDefence Collection: WW2 defence, illustration by William Heath Robinson

WW2 defence, illustration by William Heath Robinson
Defence during WW2 -- Stout members of the sixth column dislodge an enemy machine gun post on the dome of St Paul s, illustration by William Heath Robinson. Credit must appear as: Courtesy of Mrs J

Background imageDefence Collection: Turkish poster celebrating defence of Gallipoli, WW1

Turkish poster celebrating defence of Gallipoli, WW1
Turkish poster celebrating the defence of Gallipoli against the Allies during the First World War. Date: 1915

Background imageDefence Collection: Pterois volitans, red lionfish

Pterois volitans, red lionfish
Plate 112 from the John Reeves Collection. John Reeves, a 19th Century Tea Inspector, travelled to Canton, China in order to develop a large collection of Chinese natural history drawings

Background imageDefence Collection: HMS Bonaventure - an Astraea-Class second-class cruiser

HMS Bonaventure - an Astraea-Class second-class cruiser
Royal Navy - HMS Bonaventure, an Astraea-Class second-class cruiser of the Royal Navy, ordered as part of the eight-ship Astraea class under the Naval Defence Act of 1889

Background imageDefence Collection: William Heath Robinson drawing showing soldiers unaware of the camouflaged famous Stonehenge

William Heath Robinson drawing showing soldiers unaware of the camouflaged famous Stonehenge moving around in Wiltshire. Date: 1941

Background imageDefence Collection: Cooling Buoys Icing the Gulf Stream to Chill the Enemy

Cooling Buoys Icing the Gulf Stream to Chill the Enemy
British U-boats in the Battle of the Atlantic, showing mine-like cooling-buoys armed with icing apparatus for lowing the Gulf Stream temperature and the morable! Date: 1941

Background imageDefence Collection: Cartoon, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Byron -- Byron's reputation is besmirched by Harriet Beecher

Cartoon, Harriet Beecher Stowe and Byron -- Byron's reputation is besmirched by Harriet Beecher Stowe in her biography : England rises to the defence of its beloved poet. Date: 1869

Background imageDefence Collection: Uk Army Aeroplane No. 207 a Maurice Farman Type Royal Ai?

Uk Army Aeroplane No. 207 a Maurice Farman Type Royal Ai?
Uk Army Aeroplane No. 207 a Maurice Farman Type Royal Airforce 2 Squadron Aircraft Date: 1910s

Background imageDefence Collection: Southwark Cavalry

Southwark Cavalry. Aquatint by and after Thomas Rowlandson, 1799 (c). From a volume of 86 aquatints entitled ?Loyal Volunteers of London and Environs

Background imageDefence Collection: Westminster Cavalry

Westminster Cavalry. Aquatint by and after Thomas Rowlandson, 1799 (c). From a volume of 86 aquatints entitled ?Loyal Volunteers of London and Environs

Background imageDefence Collection: Uhlans at Liege

Uhlans at Liege
A detachment of German Uhlans charging a fort at Liege, Belgium, only to encounter the barbed wire defences constructed by order of General Liman, commander of the Belgian troops in Liege

Background imageDefence Collection: Pit Ponies in Retirement - Plum & Danny

Pit Ponies in Retirement - Plum & Danny with Alfred Brisco (Organising Secretary). Card issued on behalf of The National Equine Defence League. Date: circa late 1930s

Background imageDefence Collection: LFB-AFS convoy and fire exercise

LFB-AFS convoy and fire exercise
Part of the Civil Defence Corps until it was disbanded in the late 1960s, the Auxiliary Fire Service consisted of volunteer firefighters who would attend a fire station for drill and training

Background imageDefence Collection: Blitz in London -- AFS firefighters, WW2

Blitz in London -- AFS firefighters, WW2
Blitz in London -- a personal photograph, taken by a colleague, of life in the AFS at a sub-station, showing firewomen on the Heavy Unit of Sub-station 67Z

Background imageDefence Collection: Coastal defence battery near Middelkerke, Belgium, WW1

Coastal defence battery near Middelkerke, Belgium, WW1
A gun of the Cecilie coastal defence battery near Middelkerke in West Flanders, Belgium, during the First World War. Date: 1914-1918

Background imageDefence Collection: Poster advertising the Special Constabulary

Poster advertising the Special Constabulary, seeking fit men and women for part-time voluntary service. Civil Defence is Common Sense. Ask for details at your local police station. 1940s

Background imageDefence Collection: Worton, Wiltshire - WWII - Civilian Fire Fighters

Worton, Wiltshire - WWII - Civilian Fire Fighters and their trailer fire engine! Date: circa 1941

Background imageDefence Collection: Martello Tower, Corsica

Martello Tower, Corsica Date: 1809

Background imageDefence Collection: Policeman and policewoman with gas masks

Policeman and policewoman with gas masks
A policeman and a policewoman wearing civilian gas masks outside Harrow Road Police Station (X Division) before the outbreak of World War Two. The respirator is contained in the canvas bag

Background imageDefence Collection: Maginot Line

Maginot Line
On ne passe pas ! (They shall not pass !) This magazine cover expresses the touching faith of the French in their western defence, the MAGINOT LINE Date: 1940

Background imageDefence Collection: WW1 poster, Pour la Liberte du Monde (For the Freedom of the World)

WW1 poster, Pour la Liberte du Monde (For the Freedom of the World), subscribe to the national war loan. Date: circa 1916

Background imageDefence Collection: Old Bill and Co. August 1940

Old Bill and Co. August 1940
" Hey! Mind what yer doin ! Thats the second time you ve got me with that fifth column o yours!" Bruce Bairnsfather pokes fun at rumours of German spies

Background imageDefence Collection: United Arts Volunteer Rifles, 1916

United Arts Volunteer Rifles, 1916
United Arts Volunteer Rifles constructing defences at Woldingham during World War I in 1916

Background imageDefence Collection: Local Defence Volunteer Force

Local Defence Volunteer Force
The uniform of the Local Defence Volunteer Force, established to defend Britain against the anticipated invasion by German parachutists

Background imageDefence Collection: Freiheit Trial / 1881

Freiheit Trial / 1881
The Freiheit prosecution - trial of Herr Johann Most at the Cebtral Criminal Court (Old Bailey). Mr A M Sullivan (Counsel for the Defence) is speaking

Background imageDefence Collection: LFB-AFS parade for an exercise

LFB-AFS parade for an exercise
Part of the Civil Defence Corps, until it was disbanded in the late 1960s, the Auxiliary Fire Service consisted of volunteer firefighters who would attend a fire station for drill and training

Background imageDefence Collection: Hawker Hunter FGA. 74 505

Hawker Hunter FGA. 74 505
Singapore Air Defence Command - Hawker Hunter FGA.74 505 (msn 41H/680085, ex XJ632 and G-9-356), on the line with armourers preparing the ADEN gun pack for removal

Background imageDefence Collection: Judo as self-defence as demonstrated by Phyllis Boutell

Judo as self-defence as demonstrated by Phyllis Boutell
Page showing Miss Phyllis Boutell and Mr Charles Cawkell demonstrating how judo, or ju-jitsu, can be an effective form of self-defence if attacked

Background imageDefence Collection: Dornier Do-17Z-3

Dornier Do-17Z-3
A Luftwaffe 7./ Kampfgeschwader 3 Dornier Do-17 (Mod 215) Shot-Down by a RAF Hawker Hurricane and Crash-Landed on the Rocky Beach of Foreness Point, Isle of Thanet at 12.55Pm on 26th August 1940

Background imageDefence Collection: Development of trench warfare in France by Matania

Development of trench warfare in France by Matania
Protecting the man and armouring the trench. French soldiers wearing the new steel helmet holding an armoured trench during a violent German artillery bombardment

Background imageDefence Collection: Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107A 51086 - 'M'

Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107A 51086 - 'M'
Japan Ground Self Defence Force - Kawasaki-Vertol KV-107A 51086 / 'M', of 2 Helicopter Group Date: 1975

Background imageDefence Collection: Fuji-Bell UH-1B 41527 - 'NEH'

Fuji-Bell UH-1B 41527 - 'NEH'
Japan Ground Self Defence Force - Fuji-Bell UH-1B 41527 / 'NEH' at Misawa AB Date: 1975

Background imageDefence Collection: Nord 2501 Noratlas 4X-FAQ

Nord 2501 Noratlas 4X-FAQ
Israeli Defence Force / Air Force - Nord 2501 Noratlas 4X-FAQ (msn D165), at Blackbushe on 27 October 1957. Date: 1957

Background imageDefence Collection: HIMS Novgorod

HIMS Novgorod
Imperial Russian Navy - HIMS Novgorod, a coastal defence monitor, under construction. Novgorod was unusual in being circular with a central turret housing the main armament of two 11-pounder guns

Background imageDefence Collection: Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-99

Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-99
Royal Australian Air Force - Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-99 (msn 99), of 3 Squadron, at SADC Tengah in April 1973. (SADC - Singapore Air Defence Command) Date: 1973

Background imageDefence Collection: Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-26

Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-26
Royal Australian Air Force - Dassault Mirage IIIO A3-26 (msn 26), of 3 Squadron, at SADC Tengah in April 1973. (SADC - Singapore Air Defence Command) Date: 1973

Background imageDefence Collection: HIMS Novgorod

HIMS Novgorod
Imperial Russian Navy - HIMS Novgorod, a coastal defence monitor, afloat, showing the very low freeboard. Novgorod was unusual in being circular with a central turret housing the main armament of two

Background imageDefence Collection: HIMS Novgorod

HIMS Novgorod
Imperial Russian Navy - HIMS Novgorod, a coastal defence monitor, under construction. Novgorod was unusual in being circular with a central turret housing the main armament of two 11-pounder guns

Background imageDefence Collection: de Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou N32620

de Havilland Canada DHC-4A Caribou N32620 (msn 10), at Djibouti-Ambouli Airport. (still present in 2023. Formerly JW8193 of the Tanzanian People's Defence Force) Date: 1984

Background imageDefence Collection: Shin Meiwa US-1A 9087

Shin Meiwa US-1A 9087
Japan Maritime Self Defence Force - Shin Meiwa US-1A 9087 (msn 71) Date: 2004

Background imageDefence Collection: 'KV-1' heavy tank

'KV-1' heavy tank
A Soviet 'KV-1 ' heavy tank, knocked out by German anti-tank fire, with a Wehrmacht horse-drawn lorry passing it. (The Kliment Voroshilov (KV)

Background imageDefence Collection: English Electric Canberra E.15 WH972

English Electric Canberra E.15 WH972
Royal Air Force - English Electric Canberra E.15 WH972 (msn SH1697), of No. 98 Squadron, at RAF Watton. A crew chief / specialist is giving the crew a last chance briefing before they complete their

Background imageDefence Collection: Defence of Londonderry, during the Siege of Derry, 18 April to 1 August 1689

Defence of Londonderry, during the Siege of Derry, 18 April to 1 August 1689, part of the Williamite War in Ireland (1689-1691)

Background imageDefence Collection: McDonnell Douglas F-4J UK Phantom ZE353

McDonnell Douglas F-4J UK Phantom ZE353
Royal Air Force - McDonnell Douglas F-4J(UK) Phantom ZE353, of No.74 Squadron, at RAF Wattisham, Suffolk. (a.k.a. Phantom F.3)

Background imageDefence Collection: HMS Forward - Forward-class Scout Cruiser

HMS Forward - Forward-class Scout Cruiser
Royal Navy - HMS Forward, a Forward-class Scout Cruiser. Forward was built by Fairfield???s S.B. & E. at Govan, in 1904. The ship was in reserve for most of the first decade of her existence

Background imageDefence Collection: Sea fight with the Mahrattas (Maratha sailors), who captured the East India Company ship

Sea fight with the Mahrattas (Maratha sailors), who captured the East India Company ship Ranger on 5 (or 8) April 1783, an action which went against the Treaty of Salbai which had ended the First



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