Edge Gallery

The Last Word by William Heath Robinson

A motorcyclist, engrossed in a crossword, fails to notice that he is driving over the edge of a cliff just as he discovers the right answer to one of the clues. The Cross-Word Fiend: "To fall; to break to little pieces. I've got it, C-R-A-S-H'" Please note: Credit must appear as Courtesy of the Estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evan"

© Courtesy of the estate of Mrs J.C.Robinson/Pollinger Ltd/ILN/Mary Evans Picture Library

Cap badge, Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

Brass cap badge (the King's Crown Shield) of REME, the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. Oval in shape, with a crown at the top, a pair of compasses at the centre, and a laurel wreath design around the outer edge. The REME Corps was formed in 1942, and this style of cap badge was in use between 1942 and 1947. It has a slide fitting on the back. Date: 1940s

© Mary Evans Picture Library/Gill Stoker

Pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Troopers sword, 1814 (c)

Pattern 1796 Heavy Cavalry Troopers sword, 1814 (c); blade is stamped with the makers name, I Gill; the original hatchet blade made this Pattern useless for thrusting, its lack of curvature also made it an inefficient slashing sword, the blade was therefore modified to a spear-point, the grinding down is traditionally thought to have taken place before Battle of Waterloo; disc guard with the langets removed and the inner edge is ground down to prevent fraying of the wearers uniform.. Sword, cavalry trooper, pattern 1796 Date: circa 1814

© The National Army Museum / Mary Evans Picture Library