My grandfather, like many soldiers in the Great War, took souvenirs from the battles he was involved in. These would be everyday items, taken from either prisoners or the dead. In his memoir he spoke about picking up some souvenirs at Vimy which he gave to a wounded comrade for safe keeping. They were taken by the RAMC, the Royal Army Medical Corps, and it would seem to have been a common occurrence as according to Grandpa they were known as Rob All My Comrades by the people in the hospitals. He also sent some playing cards home to his father that he had taken off prisoners at Vimy.
I know that he ended up with at least one other souvenir, the one pictured below. It is a German bayonet from the Great War. I do not know how he got it, but I’ve had it for years (I also remember some dummy grenades and rifle shells that no doubt came from his time as a musketry instructor in England). 
You’ll notice the one edge of the bayonet is saw toothed. Much was made of this by the allies, it being an inhumane addition to the weapon. In truth it was just a practical way of creating what we would call today a multi-tool, for it functioned as a saw. Bayoneting was a pretty nasty business at the best of times and it is highly unlikely that a saw blade made it any more so.
I don’t often take this out for a look, but when ever I do I find myself thinking about its history, and the history of the man who carried it. Perhaps his grandson will be at Vimy in April, searching for the story of his grandfather. Maybe we could share a tea.
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What a priceless treasure. If only it could talk.