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What is this?
  • The field Telephone set ‘L MK1’ was introduced in 1941 for use by the British Army in the Second World War.
  • Field telephones replaced flag signals and telegraphs as a more efficient way to communicate.
  • This telephone is set ‘L’ as it was designed for use by a Linesman, whose job it was to run wire along the ground and fasten to poles and trees, in order to set up a communication system. They were responsible for setting up, taking down, and making any necessary repairs. They were part of the Royal Corps of Signals.
  • Old Field telephone technology such as this has been recently utilised by Ukraine in their war against Russia. Russia had started to use electronic warfare by hacking systems and intercepting calls, the Ukrainians realised the older technology could be used and no one could listen in on their calls.
Contextual images /videos

Royal signal corps training (1940)

Curriculum Possibilities

History

  • Changes within living memory
  • Significant events and / or individuals from the past
  • Comparing aspects of life in different periods

Science

  • Everyday materials and their properties
Featured activity idea

Can you write and decipher a secret code?

Here are some ideas

 

How to book this object

Museum name: The Dorman Museum / The Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
Contact name: Chloe Leeson
Phone number: 01642 728235
Email: chlow_leeson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Please contact Chloe to arrange for collection of this object.

↓Object activity ideas
What is this?
  • The field Telephone set ‘L MK1’ was introduced in 1941 for use by the British Army in the Second World War.
  • Field telephones replaced flag signals and telegraphs as a more efficient way to communicate.
  • This telephone is set ‘L’ as it was designed for use by a Linesman, whose job it was to run wire along the ground and fasten to poles and trees, in order to set up a communication system. They were responsible for setting up, taking down, and making any necessary repairs. They were part of the Royal Corps of Signals.
  • Old Field telephone technology such as this has been recently utilised by Ukraine in their war against Russia. Russia had started to use electronic warfare by hacking systems and intercepting calls, the Ukrainians realised the older technology could be used and no one could listen in on their calls.
Contextual images /videos
Curricukum possibilities

History

  • A theme in British history extending beyond 1066
  • Understand how our knowledge of the past is constructed from a range of sources
  • Devise historically valid questions

Geography

  • Human and physical geography

Science

Sound

Featured activity idea

Create your own cipher codes. Some examples are here

How to book this object

Museum name: The Dorman museum / Captain Cook Birthplace Museum
Contact name: Chloe Leeson
Phone number: 01642 728235
Email: chloe_leeson@middlesbrough.gov.uk

Please contact Chloe to arrange for collection of this object

↓Object activity ideas
Background information
  • The field Telephone set ‘L MK1’ was introduced in 1941 for use by the British Army in the Second World War.
  • Field telephones replaced flag signals and telegraphs as a more efficient way to communicate.
  • This telephone is set ‘L’ as it was designed for use by a Linesman, whose job it was to run wire along the ground and fasten to poles and trees, in order to set up a communication system. They were responsible for setting up, taking down, and making any necessary repairs. They were part of the Royal Corps of Signals.
  • Old Field telephone technology such as this has been recently utilised by Ukraine in their war against Russia. Russia had started to use electronic warfare by hacking systems and intercepting calls, the Ukrainians realised the older technology could be used and no one could listen in on their calls.
contextual images / videos
Topic Possibilities
  • WW2
  • The history of communications
  • Coding throughout history
  • Sound
  • Materials and their properties
Featured Activity Idea