Shrapnel

This assortment of metal fragments from bombs and anti-aircraft shells, known as shrapnel, was donated to the RAF Museum by Mr Moulden who collected them as a child in 1940 during the Second World War.

Many people were wounded by the extremely sharp edges of the metal pieces. During the Nazi Blitz on London and other British cities, children often collected metal items including aircraft parts and ammunition – some of which was still live and which then needed to be made safe, usually by destruction. The tin containing this shrapnel probably contained biscuits from the London Co-operative Society.