STORIES of injured First and Second World War soldiers who used their time in hospital to create intricate love tokens for their sweethearts are being pieced together by a museum in time for Valentine’s Day.

Following donations of a number of the crafts, believed to have been made while soldiers were in recovery or had spare time in the trenches, The Green Howards Museum has launched a search for similar craft items, to be included in an online exhibition.

The museum, in Richmond, North Yorkshire, has a selection of crafts, made for lovedones by members of the Green Howards while away from home.

The collection already on display at the Green Howards Museum includes three intricately- made heart-shaped Forget-Me-Not pin cushions.

One of them, which was made by First World War soldier John Robson-Barugh, features a poem called Golden Sun, which reads: “When the golden sun is sinking, And your mind from care is free, When of others you are thinking, Will you sometimes think of me?”

It is believed to have been made when Mr Robson- Barugh was in hospital in either January 1915 or October 1916.

The piece was donated by one of Mr Barugh’s ancestors in 1990. Not a great deal is known about Mr Barugh, but it is known that he survived the war.

Now, in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, the museum’s curators are keen to see photographs of similar items that relatives of former soldiers may be displaying at home, or have stored away in their attics.

Lynda Powell, director and curator of the Green Howards Museum, said: “We want to create an online exhibition and now, just before Valentine’s Day, seems like the perfect time to start working on it.

“All of these fantastic pieces of craft were made out of love, and invariably sent home to sweethearts.

“Many will have been made by wounded soldiers in hospital when they had more time on their hands to discover their creative side.”

The museum tells the story of the Green Howards Regiment from its beginning to the present day. Its collection spans three centuries of history, in times of peace and conflict, and includes more than 3,750 medals.

If anyone has any craft work, drawings, paintings, love letters or poems created or written by former members of the Green Howards Regiment, they are asked to photograph them and email director@greenhowards.org.

uk 􀁧 The museum reopens for the new season on February 1.

For more information about the Green Howards Museum, visit greenhowards.org.uk or call 01748-826561.