Work experience in museum - Newton Abbot Museum

By: Rebecca Lopez from Newton Abbot College
Added: 26 October 2012

Work Experience in Newton Abbot Museum

 I have been working at the Museum from the 22nd October – 26th October 2012, and have been looking through various artefacts from both of the World Wars. I chose to write about these two gas masks because they were interesting to research and they were in excellent condition considering the amount of time they have been preserved.

 These two authentic gas masks were donated to the museum by an unknown source and have been well kept since their time on the battle field. They were donated to the museum in a safety bag, with the year 1941 inside of it.

Gas masks were issued to all of the British public during both WW1 and WW2; this was because there was fear that attackers would drop poisonous gas bombs. A typical gas mask would cover the nose and mouth, although most also covered the eyes.

During the war, babies and small children had special gas masks made for them which would only be issued if an emergency arose.

Children were given what became known as the ‘Mickey Mouse’ gas mask – the nickname was given as an attempt by the government to make the gas masks seem less scary. 

The gas masks above are of two different designs; the gas mask on the right hand side has a visible air canister which works as a filter system (all gas masks had these), cleaning the contaminated air before the user inhales it.

The gas mask on the left hand side is of a much simpler design but is of the same principle, having the filter system nearer the mouth area.