Bombers, Western Front, 1917

Watercolour by Richard Simkin, 1917 (c).

British infantry preparing and throwing grenades in a trench during World War One (1914-1918).

After several unsuccessful early grenades, the British settled on the No 5 Grenade, known as the 'Mills Bomb', in 1915. The Mills was a classic design; a grooved cast iron 'pineapple' with a central striker held by a close hand lever and secured with a pin.