British Transport Commission trophy made from incendiary bomb

Trophy and silver plaque, British Transport Commission, made from German B1 EZB incendiary bomb dropped on the Headquarters Offices of Euston Station, 30th December 1940. Awarded to women's ambulance teams of the Railway Executive in the London area, 1949-1960.

This unusual trophy is made from a deactivated German Luftwaffe incendiary bomb. It was dropped on the London, Midland & Scottish Railway headquarters at Euston station on 30 December 1940, during the Blitz.

The trophy was awarded by the British Transport Commission to Railway Executive women's ambulance teams who competed in first aid competitions between 1949 and 1960. The names of the winners are engraved on the bomb.

Railway companies encouraged first aid training from the early twentieth century onwards. Competitions were both a good way to reinforce learning and social events that bonded the workforce together.

Incendiary bombs like this were dropped throughout the Second World War, spreading fire through towns and cities. This model, the German B1 EZB, contained a detonator, explosive charge and thermite, a highly combustible mixture of fine iron oxide and aluminium powder. The casing was made of magnesium, which also burned fiercely.