Military memorabilia are silent witnesses to conflict. Objects read correctly can provide important details of the background to military history, and can act as interpreters from the past, in some ways enhancing the basic understanding of what it must have to serve and suffer in times of war. Three volumes by Peter Doyle, published by the Crowood Press – 'Tommy's War, 1914–1918', 'The Home Front 1939–1945' and 'The British Soldier in Europe, 1939–1945' explore the material culture of two world wars.