NORMALLY found in museums and exhibitions, one military collector has built up a vast array of war memorabilia in his own home. ADRIAN IMMS discovers what one man has bought, sold and preserved over the years A HISTORY lover’s attempt to auction off a rare armistice notice has revealed a plethora of war-related items.

Roger Rowlands was hoping to sell a trench signal message handed to soldiers of the First World War to announce the signing of the armistice, as part of an online auction.

While the armistice notice is still up for grabs, having not sold, a visit from The Argus cast light on a collection of memorabilia that captures the mood of the time.

The 63-year-old, who lives in Shoreham with his wife Elaine, has built up a library of postcards, notes and cuttings that document the era.

Mr Rowlands said: “In my 20s I was collecting the odd bit of paper, really, and it built up that way.

“I have always been interested in the subject since I was a child when I used to play with soldiers.”

Among the items he owns are an original newspaper cutting of Lord Nelson’s last moments during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805 and a VE-Day edition of a newspaper, announcing the end of the Second World War.

He also has some Second World War medals and a prisoner of war letter in German.

“It could do with being translated,” Mr Rowlands said.

At the core of his collection are about 700 First World War postcards.

He said: “I have got quite a good collection of First World War comic post cards.

“I like the history of it and sometimes there are some interesting comments on the back.

“It’s a bit like texting in a way because they were delivered the same day.

“Of course, the war was far from comical but they made the best of it.”

His armistice notice was the latest item he tried to sell, in the hope of passing it on to a new admirer.

But, unusually, it did not attract any interest.

The trench signal message sent on November 11, 1918, informed soldiers that hostilities would cease at 11am.

The message is handwritten on official signal message pad paper and states that “the armistice between the Allies and Germany was signed at 5:00 this morning and will come into force at 11:00 today”.

The Army telegraph stamp is on the top right corner and this particular one was sent to members of 45 Division.

Valued at between £400 and £600, the notice was put under the hammer at C & T Auctioneers in Kent earlier this month.

Mr Rowlands said: “It took me by surprise. Last time they had one which sold for £500.

“It will go up for auction again at a later date but I have no immediate plans to relist it.

“I hope that whoever eventually wins it enjoys it and appreciates it.”

He found it about 20 years ago when he bought an old folder with “lots of bits and pieces in it”, all war-related, mostly from the First World War.

Now with two grown-up children, Mr Rowlands can trace the war involvement back through his own family.

His father was in the RAF in the Second World War in Africa while his grandfather was involved in the First World War, although it is not clear what he did.

Among the items Mr Rowlands has sold are some First World War tobacco tins for about £40, a Boer War Bible from 1899 for £30 and a letter written by a British prisoner of war in Germany for £30.

He has also shifted larger items including a French helmet for £100 last year.

He also sold a Queen Mary tin, a container for chocolate, tobacco and Christmas cards issued to British soldiers from 1914, for £50.

Another one was a South African tin with the South African premier’s signature on it for £45. Replicas brought out by a national newspaper sold for about £25.

Mr Rowlands said: “That really surprised me – it wasn’t even original.”

Interest for his hoard has gone far and wide – on eBay he sent items to America, Bahrain and South Africa.

He added: “It was such a big world event and it affected every family. It changed the way of life: women had to do men’s jobs. It had a massive effect.”

With last year being the centenary of the Great War, interest in his items have been higher than ever.

He said: “I’m surprised that the fascination is continuing.

“I thought it would stop after the first year but it looks as though it will continue for the next four years.

“There is a big upturn in interest, nationally and internationally, in items from the First World War.”

Anyone interested in his collection should email roger.rowlands@ btinternet.com.