Who threw a Sign in the Thames Mud to be discovered decades later? Mudlarking the Thames (Nov 2021)

So many artefacts lie beneath the Thames mud waiting to be exposed by the gradual erosion of the layers of mud. I was fortunate to spot a white line on the mud a little while ago and decided to investigate. What I uncovered was some advice which if not followed could mean life or death. I wonder who threw this sign in the mud and what happened to contents of the box upon which it once was attached!
On this video, join me for an outing on the River Thames as I search for history eroding from the mud. Each object has a story and a history just waiting to be explored in more depth. Then back to the studio to find out a bit more about what was found. And maybe you can also provide me with some details on my finds.
In this video I also explain that I am going to be selling my glass fish on my kofi site and you you can find the link to my site here:-
ko-fi.com/nico...
Also you can find Wendy Meister's folksy shop here if you want to take a look at her wonderful range of jewellery inspired by the Thames. She has a sale on at the moment. 15% off if you put the code PIPEQUEEN at the checkout.
folksy.com/sho...
Thank you for watching you wonderful people. You can follow me on twitter and instagram @tidelineart
See you soon.
Nicola White
www.tidelineart.com
#tidelineart #nicolawhite #mudlarking

[@Justfollowthecrumbs]

This is strange Nicola, your grandfather who served on H.M.S.Repulse, so did my ex’s father, Len Phillips, who also survived the sinking. He went on to fight with the Chindits in Burma. Whilst many shipmates went to Singapore and were made to surrender to the Japanese he a carried on fighting, survived but never ate rice again! p.s. I’m now 70 and it’s nice to be able to pass anecdotes on.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

hello Heather. Oh goodness, how amazing. I wonder if they knew each other! I would love to know x

[@juliehehir7091]

My grandfather was a Chindit in Burma as well, he was blowing up bridges..

[@margaretwallaces3625]

Heather, my Paternal Grandfather also fought in Burma. His Burma Star should still be with the family somewhere.

[@patstats1]

I’ve known friends’ dads who no longer eat rice because of the Pacific campaigns! Not so uncommon a response.

[@catofthecastle1681]

My dad never ate rice after being a POW on Bataan!

[@mackeymintle66]

11:10 that feeling you get …at garage sales, thrift stores, estate sales, metal detecting…. Perfectly expressed in her voice.🥰👍

[@patrickbrennan9781]

Thank you Nicola for reminding us of all the beauty out there if we open our eyes and really look....how wonderful life is.

[@doug.a.2665]

..exactly!

[@patrickbrennan9781]

@@doug.a.2665 Whoever this is .Thankyou.

[@doug.a.2665]

@@patrickbrennan9781 ..and thank you my friend.

[@williamnunn8847]

The Thames is still too polluted for me to enjoy doing this

[@philipcallicoat3147]

The Thames was considered to be"biologically dead"for decades.... An open sewer for disposing of everything nasty and poisonous... Thanks to the people who were very committed to cleaning up the river, it's supporting wildlife again.... Good job,GB!!! 🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹

[@ianbeauchamp9944]

Yes indeed but we're back to sewage pumping on the south coast.

[@williamnunn8847]

Its not really clean, without the construction of the super sewer imo. I will evaluate river activity in 2023 when this will all be built?

[@duderoony]

It’s not good job GB Philip. It’s good job angling societies who fought for years to get the sewer that was/is the Thames (along with many other polluted waterways countrywide) cleaned up. As an aside it certainly wasn’t the government either! Did you know that the government and water authorities actually sell licences to companies allowing them to dump ‘legal’ amounts of crap into our rivers? No? Most people don’t know this. 😳

[@lindalettman624]

Yes, I thought it was completely polluted. And from watching British movies and tv shows, it seems it was a dumping ground for dead bodies! So when I started watching this channel, I was doubly horrified and mesmerized. But now I see so much beautiful wildlife being supported by this river. Kudos to GB for cleaning and conserving your famous river and the ecosystem 💕

[@patifagan6774]

I heard on the American news that since you, Si, and others have started cleaning up the Thames, that wildlife has started to come back. I’m overjoyed .

[@Ceceoh]

Yeah, get all those pesky clay pipes out of the way so there’s more room for the baby eels. 🪱

[@heartland96a]

But haven't the British Government permitted releasing untreated sewage into the sea and rivers recently? Due to the lack of chemicals to treat waste water .

[@rwilson7197]

@@heartland96a possibly time to don plastic gloves...

[@lovelyskull3483]

Such a wonderful video. Thank you Nicola. Take Care. I love the wee squirrel, he/she is so smart and adorable.

[@dmcdaniel2009]

WHAT A TREASURE OF A DAY, SO SO MANY WODERFILLED FINDS!!! MADE MY DAY, THANKS NICOLA!!

[@Catmoore60]

I think the fish thing may be an operculum from a good sized fish. This is a bony bit that covers and protects their gills. PS: When I showed your video to my 86 year old Mom, who has Alzheimer’s, her face lit up. She has been a lifelong bird watcher, and wrens are her favorite. Thanks for that lovely moment with my mom.

[@zw5509]

correct! Part of the gill mechanism.

[@wildlifeathome]

Excellent

[@Biffo1262]

Personally I think it's the Spur from a Spurdog, a native Dogfish/Shark which used to be pretty common in the Thames estuary. Size and shape is spot on. I think it is too thin to be the Operculum.

[@w.neuman]

*( As an "Avid" °FISHERMAN I Would Agree it's part of a *{FISH'S~GILL} ! ) €¥£ ^

[@randispell8549]

@@zw5509 mom. M m.

[@josephgreeley5569]

That's very good advice about bombs and other munitions. They can remain dangerous for not just decades, but centuries. The town of Plymouth North Carolina was taken by Federal forces early in the Civil War, and retaken by the Confederates in 1864. Quite a few of the shells that the Federal forces fired in defense of the town had defective fuses. A fellow found one in his yard, put it in the back of his pickup truck and was driving to a friends house to show it off. He hit a bump and the shell went off. Fortunately he survived. But if you do find ANY kind of shell or bomb, DON'T touch it, no matter how harmless it looks. Get away and notify the authorities ASAP.

[@edwardphillips8460]

Subscription. I love it when people take the time to look around and actually see what’s there. And it never hurts when a video presenter is a beautiful lady with a clear calming voice. Spending time with Nicola! Looking forward to doing that more.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thanks Edward. Welcome

[@stephaniesharkey3538]

Great video today! Thanks Nicola🌊 That squirrel will figure out how to get in ! 🐾Be careful.I ‘d secure it at night or when your not there🐿

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

ha ha thank you. yes dont worry. the catflap is locked!

[@Michelle-tk9jq]

What a pipe find! Your joy was exactly what I exuded when I found mine last month…I miss the foreshore terribly. The sign was so cool also and did remind me of some of the instructional signage in the Churchill War Rooms. What a great historical find!

[@michaeldenman9223]

I came across this site quite by accident... Absolutely fascinating and very well presented.. So many historical links to our amazing history... looking forward to following and seeing more of these interesting videos.. Thanks

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Michael. Welcome to the world of mudlarking!

[@lord.onk99]

Im so very pleased i found your video Nicola, SO interesting all the items just laying waiting to be found.

[@tomfisher2103]

Great finds Nic! It appears that you found the key to the city. That bomb would make a handy " do not disturb sign" on the office door 😉

[@anonymzh0ney]

That key is gorgeous, so envious! What a great find!

[@fredscratchet1355]

Thanks Nicola that was great. The star finds for me were the key and the Plumstead pipe. The section about the military graves was very sweet thankyou.

[@Nettsinthewoods]

Great video. Oooh I can smell that mud from here. I’d love to find a whole pipe, bless you for rescuing the eel, they’re red listed endangered now. X

[@jimschafer9196]

LOL on the squirrel ... I have a friend that was trying to befriend a chipmunk all he had was planters shelled nuts but the littlie guy would not take them. Great Sunday evening watching your video. The key cleaned up nicely, no idea on why no hole on the bow. Got a smile from the seagull blocking access to his food. You are looking very nice with the bling-bling ear rings. Nice reminder about our service member too, enjoy your enthusiasm in looking them up and there back stories. Cool survival back story on your grandpa. Oh that knife was a grate fined, its looks to be a custom made, then again the handle is so custom maybe its from a set of knifes.

[@haemhorrhoidian]

Your first knife i got really excited about,l first saw the handle,it looked just like a Japanese Wa-style handle,i collect Japanese knives you see :-D haha,i also collect odd road signs :-D do you know how jelly i am at this ? :-D i love it!! Any pets that call ? yeah i do,like loads,i live in the middle of a big nature reserve in the Peak District,i get squirrels,badgers,otters,heron,wood peckers,fox's,ducks,geese,gold finch,bull finch,i think i'm pretty lucky as far as tit's too :-D i get them all ;-) goldcrest's,wrens,tree creepers,doves,wood pigeon,i get quite a lot really,i still haven't seen a giraffe though :-)

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

wow I like the sound of where you live!! I would like to visit! I haven't found out anything about the knife yet. x

[@haemhorrhoidian]

@@nicolawhitemudlark Well you're welcome anytime Nic :-) just Google New Mills Derbyshire for more info,i actually think you would really like it round here,there's lots of history to be had and we have a good art based community too,i don't think we have that much in the mudlarking game though :-/ looking at your knife i don't think it's a Japanese knife,a Japanese knife wouldn't have an integral bolster,it is very interesting though :-)

[@markwatters6875]

Thank you for another enjoyable video Nicola.

[@jaxntax5509]

I believe the spine you found is from a scaled fish part of the fins pulled as you clean the fish it maybe a catfish barb but I suspect a rock fish is more likely.

[@donniebooth8478]

I love the way describe and analyze every little detail you awesome

[@annmaulder4106]

Absolutely amazing, what you find, thanks Nicola, Ray

[@dinahjackson8146]

" MISS EAGLE EYE ! " I LOOOVE IT !!! 😍😄😍 THANK YOU, NICOLA !!! ❤

[@tracyriordan7011]

Yayyyyyyy!! Missed you not posting last week sooo bad! I was worried you were sick! Hope you just took a day off, sweetie! ( : Great first find! Cool knife! ( : And a whole pipe! Woo hoo! ( : Wow, what a mystery that bomb sign is too! A wonder what kind of bombs it is referring to! So strange! ( : I heard there are venomous sharks residing in the Thames now. Did you hear that as well? Apparently, the Thames is so clean, now, the sharks are living in the river as a result. Eek! ) : Wow, that is a huge key you found! I love keys! That one is sooo neat too! I wonder what it opens! ( : I love your bright red jumper! You look very lovely, sweetie! ( From the museum's website: Here is all of what the sign said! It was made of enamelled metal. ( : PRECAUTIONS - A W Bombs fire instantly on breaking in air. Store bombs (preferably in cases) in cool place, under water if possible. Do not store near inflammable material. Stringent precautions must be take to avoid cracking bombs during handling. The caps must never be removed. Wow, the knife was a wooden handled knife! So amazing! ( : Yayyyyyyy! The key cleaned up quite well! ( : I am thinking the butler or manservant may have had a small pocket that he slipped the key into when he locked the house for the night?

[@ajshropshire9068]

Hi Nicola. Love the videos it is amazing that the items still survive, the fishy bone could be a big gill bone which supports the gill muscles, these were sometimes remodeled and used as a curved piercing tool, this is just another possible use. Regards John.

[@calcon1997]

Have just come across your video and have started to binge watch your others. Such interesting finds and love the historical stories that go with the items you find. Keep it up.

[@sarahstrong7174]

Thankyou for sharing your larking Nichola.

[@simonw6418]

The curved "Fish bone" I think is a decorative birds head and neck.. you can see the beak at the very end and engraved feather on the outer curved side.

[@nicholastimms]

Fascinating video. I worked as a companion for two Emmaus communities and have become more interested in found objects.

[@luisaparodi8571]

Hi Nicola, your fish bone looks to be a gill arch. Please do a Google Lens search of a good picture of it. Also do the same with your mystery key

[@katzwhite5962]

How wonderful, mudlarking sounds fab😀🇬🇧

[@doug.a.2665]

England is steeped in history! ..wonderful! ..I went over there once in 2000 from Northern Ontario Canada ..absolutely loved it! ..didn't get to see as much as I would have liked tho ..did get to visit a little old pub called Marlipins in Shoreham by Sea, West Sussex ..really enjoyed it ..and the English humour there had me in stitches! ..the squirrels up here in Huron Shores are not quite as refined as the one on here but the one I feed out here on the deck runs in grabs and then runs away ..can't say I blame it because there's coyote and bobcat out the back here almost weekly ..they have to be on their guard almost constantly ...on the wild side I guess.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you! Shoreham by Sea is lovely!

[@beckyholmes8519]

Thank you for another great vlog, I live in Oregon USA since I watched you for the 1st time a year or so ago I really loved the idea of mud larking . Thank you its a fun pastime I haven't found that much but it gets me outside ( my favorite place to be) and I also do a little metal detection also . I always love it when I get a notice that you have a new vlog up. Stay safe and keep mud larking,

[@bluejahmali]

The man in the Indian devotional piece you found at the end of your searching is Shirdi Sai Baba who has followers all over the world. His teachings were of love and forgiveness and he opposed the caste system in India.

[@Rev.nighthawk..pjred1984]

Awesome seeing all the artifacts whish I had one those pipes but I'm in the use far far away

[@Die-CastMetal]

Great finds! Awesome video!

[@rameyzamora1018]

When I saw the pipe with the base I didn't think it was a blem. I think it was an experiment on making a pipe that could stand on its own, lit or not. Since you've not seen any before, I'm guessing I've missed the mark, but it's a thought, eh Ms W?

[@ianwilkinson4602]

I was wondering along similar lines, that it was to strengthen the stem being the most brittle part?

[@fanroche8573]

My wee Westie always watches with me. Now going mental looking for the squirrel behind and under the laptop !!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

ha ha - oh that cheeky squirrel :) x

[@billmafturack8189]

Here’s an idea for digging out more the delicate treasures. Try using one of those super soaker water pistols to dig and wash away the mud surrounding it …. A small hand pumped pressure sprayer would work as well 💙🇨🇦

[@davebunnell1105]

I paint my home, in 5 years it's fading and peeling, no matter how expensive the paint is. This paint on the sign looks brand new after 80 years submerged. They must have had better paint back then.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

I guess the enamel helps

[@TheAuntieBa]

We have a squirrel named Molly who expects peanuts, granola and occasionally mixed nuts tossed on our east deck in front of the screen door. She’ll bring them right in front of the screen, stand up like a meerkat and eat them in front of me. as if to thank me. She’ll also beg for food when the bluejays have taken all or we’re late.

[@niwe79]

Nice background music 👍🏼❤️

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you

[@kirkmorrison6131]

You spot a lot of neat things.

[@terrortorn]

In the film The First Great Train Robbery the 4 keys for the safe, which have to be acquired by nefarious means, have no holes in the bow.

[@annettehellingrath8288]

Could be a hotel key, the number is worn off, no need to put it on a keychain so therefore no hole needed.

[@lordkenwyn1809]

Do you ever nightlark? A while ago we we out on the balcony of our Greenwich hideaway and we saw a female mudlark on the shore below us, it was early evening and getting quite dark.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

I do! But I haven't been to Greenwich recently

[@seanmiller9304]

An important key not intended to get mixed up on a key-ring with other

[@hetrodoxly1203]

Great finds and another video that doesn't fail to impress, could the key have an item rusted into where the hole should be, another key, key ring etc? 'God of our fathers, known of old, Lord of our far-flung battle line, Beneath whose awful hand we hold Dominion over palm and pine- Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, Lest we forget-lest we forget!'

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you! x

[@bethewalt7385]

The key is brass and brass doesn't really rust,additionally back in time specific keys were made with no hole for reasons unique to the type of key

[@hetrodoxly1203]

@@bethewalt7385 If the key was on a steel ring it could rust into the hole, combined with bronze disease, we had a bronze cannon with no bore because an iron cannon ball was left in the bore rusted and reacted with the Bronze, salt, Iron and bronze can have a reaction where the Iron becomes bronze plated.

[@atvr100]

Looked like 2 stone net weights nearby when you found that button

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

very possibly!

[@execbum1]

What a corker finds-wise! That key was impressive!

[@lancebarker8980]

So clever 🇦🇺❤️😛🦫

[@maryleach859]

I had a Fox squirrel that would bark until I came out. I named her Foxy Lady. She would let me pick ticks off her. She loved having her tummy rubbed. Boy did she love almonds. Foxie Lady would visit me twice a day.

[@roybrookes9433]

What a excellent video. This My kind of thing “Mud larking” . You have to have some sort of permit or permission to go searching on the shores of the River Thames ?. I live in the most land City in the Country Leicester so don’t have Your privilege. I do live a 1/4 of mile from famous “Bow Bridge” on The River Soar where I was led to believe King Richard III body was thrown in to after the”Battle of Bosworth”. Until the found His Skelton in a Car park. The road I live on leads on to “The Tudor Road” which joins “King Richards Road” . People do Magnet dredge but when You walk along the river You find a lot of scrap they have dragged out, We have four incidents of grenades being found. I have found Your video very interesting. Please keep posting Your adventures Nicola.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thanks very much Roy!

[@ithaparedes5695]

Hola soy de Chile y sigo a Nicola White me encanta sus vídeos pero deberian traducirlos al español para entender lo que dice y explica Nicola gracias.

[@susansmith4270]

Hi Nicola....dont your hands gets dry and sore after rinsing things thru the muddy water....sue Leicestershire xx

[@mick55]

....key to the brig on an old Galleon maybe. and the Petrifed feather.

[@mick55]

.petrified

[@jenniferperryman7742]

Have you ever tested the tobacco to see if they different than each other

[@liamwillis8541]

Bullet is a 30 cal Lee Enfield rifle round or 7.62 mm in British Measurenents

[@dalepoppenhagen8549]

You could still use it for a pipe maybe not a very big one but it could still be used

[@sharonsisemore2164]

The fishbone comes from the Gill area

[@Richard-pe4cx]

we have squirrels that feed of our bird tables very clever and entertaining

[@sadzasnake1755]

That looked like it was a 7.62 NATO round (Bullet) or possibly an 8mm Mauser Round from Germany- Ken Perth 🇦🇺

[@charlesperez9976]

Oh,also,that strange crescent shaped thing that you believe may be a fish bone. I can only look at it visually,rather then hold it or tap on it to feel it’s density. Does it feel like a piece of shaped antler?

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Hi Charles no I think it's bone

[@IvesMarcelin]

😊les clefs du Bonheur quand on trouve un vieux trousseau on prie pour la personne qui les a perdu ....

[@sandylipscomb7003]

GOOD, TRAINED EYES❤️

[@sandrascriver7049]

We’re all the items on the shelves behind you, found items?

[@idontwantachannel7542]

I really want you to be the one who finds the Great Seal that James II tossed into the Thames in 1688. We know it's there, it just needs to wash up one day and I want you to be the one who finds it.

[@rsclark1948]

I Always Thought That It Was Recovered At The Time

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you! Im on the case! x

[@rsclark1948]

@@nicolawhitemudlark It's Made Of Silver. They Don't Last Long. The Queen's On Her Second

[@idontwantachannel7542]

Mary and William had a new seal made, based on the original matrix. Mary's father, James II, apparently thought dumping the seal into the Thames would bring the monarchy's business to a halt. That was stupid, of course it didn't. The seal he dumped into the Thames has not been recovered but I'm not worried, Nicola is on the case :-)

[@bubblezovlove7213]

@@rsclark1948 That'll be jet black if it survived....

[@susanboon4605]

Hi, Nicola -Susan here. I just spent the weekend researching the Greenwich Hospital School, and then you find a button! I was doing a family tree for my niece and her Great-grandfather attended the school in the 1881 census. It said that at that time, it was mainly for the offspring of mariners, providing me a clue as to where to look for his father. Nice to have this to watch as I sit bundled up, watching the snow fall (It's November, when Canadians still like snow). Thanks again for the nature and the music as well.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Susan! Oh what a coincidence! I would love to know more about the school x

[@tillybinkieking7258]

@@nicolawhitemudlark Hallo! Is this of any help? en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Hospital_School

[@smurph4959]

I love the way you visit graves and monuments to think about the people you discovered. You even left flowers 💓 wherever they are you've warmed their hearts 💕

[@NextWorldVR]

The last thing she found, the 'religious' artifact' I think, it was someone honoring their Father. Kind of sad but lovely. I hope she left it...

[@perkins1439]

Heaven will be filled with sweethearts like Nicola

[@rebeccatopken6532]

I'm constantly stunned as to how you spot some of your finds, Miss Eagle Eye.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thanks Rebecca. Years of practice :) but I bet that I miss a lot too! xx

[@heathermurray9939]

My father used to say to us " when in town keep your window down " meaning to look around all the time when you are out & about,

[@rebeccatopken6532]

@@heathermurray9939 I used to get in trouble for always looking down while walking. This is how I always found change.

[@Kari.F.]

Me too! I'm amazed. Nicola: "Can you spot that?" Me: "What? The lumpy mud that's everywhere...?" 😁

[@Kaerikillington]

@@rebeccatopken6532 I moved to a new neighborhood October 2020. Since then I've found a total of $240 ...lol and two grams of marijuana (sealed). The first time was three crisp $20s on a corner and the pot. A week after that, one lone $20... almost near the same corner! Next is the big one. I went to the store and not far from my first finds I saw $100 on the ground. I was gobsmacked and I ran at it. And it was folded...so I unfolded it and there was a 50 tucked in there! Also, two packs of cigarettes ...lol. I need to quit. Next, a lone $5 and a gift card with $6 on it ahaha. And finally, last week j found $10 when I was completely broke lol So I always keep my eyes on the ground when I go for my daily walks lol

[@Adam-Gates-Mudlark]

Hi Nicola - fantastic sign, the SS Richard Montgomery just on the river swale, Thames estuary had those exact bombs on! Maybe there related 😉 I went beachcombing on the coast of the wreck and found morta bomb shrapnel, I still believe it’s from that ship 🤔 aw that squirrel was so cute, but so funny!! Imagine if it comes in at night looking for food 😂😂⚓️ that’s would be hilarious. Happy hunting ⚓️

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

ha ha Adam luckily the cat flap is securely locked!

[@MichelleMybelle61]

Was rather scary growing up with SS Monty nr us .. especially with the BP refinery on the Isle of grain..grandad used to say if he blows we are gonners ..the surface refinery has long gone...I mastered holding my breath.as we drove home .as it smelled awful..I'm 60 now but can still smell the smell of the refinery ,if I think about it

[@kateneaves9989]

Another great video. The wren was put on a farthing as it was one of the smallest British birds it is also called king of the birds, as a farthing was the smallest British coin and George VI was king that was the reason for the wren on the farthing.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you Kate! that makes perfect sense x

[@kkrolf2782]

So was George VI a small person?? Was that why he was represented by a wren?

[@kenjordan4950]

@@kkrolf2782 A farthing was the smallest coin, the wren the smallest bird & George VI was King so his head went on the other side.

[@kkrolf2782]

@@kenjordan4950 Oh, so the Wren warranted the title King of Birds simply because it appeared on a coin on the opposite side as King George VI? So it might well have been designated Queen of Birds if a Queen’s image had been depicted on the opposite side? (Sorry if I come across as a wisenheimer. I DO really enjoy history, but this particular kind of detail I’ve never come across. )

[@kenjordan4950]

@@kkrolf2782 No, not quite. The monarch (male or female) had no bearing on the bird image. The smallest British coin at the time was being represented by the smallest British bird. Size was the key (as always!) :-)

[@alantatham3113]

Hi, 60 years ago a friend of mine was a mudlarker in Portsmouth harbour and found a clay pipe with that strange base, on checking in Portsmouth museum he was informed that it was deliberate as the pipe could be put down without it rolling over and spilling the tobacco

[@audreydubois6620]

Why are you finding so many pipes? Do they just toss it like a cigarette butt?

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

@@audreydubois6620 they still sell the clay pipes on the streets of India for one rupee and you just have one toot then smash it on the floor, but the pipe Nicola found was definitely a stand on the bottom so you could put the pipe down without spilling out the tobacco as Alan said

[@jennifercooke8280]

That’s what I thought when I saw it. So glad that’s cleared up.

[@RobShinnick]

If you granted me my dream vacation, what do you suppose the destination would be? Hawaii? Tahiti? Shangri-La? Nope, I’d put on some hip waders and be right there in that mud with you, given the chance!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

ah Im so glad you are inspired xx Mudlarking is rather magical that is true x

[@doug.a.2665]

I'd bring a metal detector too ...if it was allowed

[@jan22150]

@@materh7738 for some reason I find coins on the road or on a parking lot.

[@cdd4248]

AGREE! I was just daydreaming about a month long trip to England - spending the entire time along the foreshore; camping near the mud flats and digging in Victorian Bottle Dumps! It sound like a glorious vacation!

[@RobMacKendrick]

"Stringent precautions must be taken to avoid cracking bombs during handling." Kind of advice you're always best off taking, whether you quite understand it or not. Another fabulous outing in the muck, Nicola! Thanks again!

[@cdd4248]

Hahahaha! Your comment made me chuckle!

[@oges74]

I love the fact that after you have found so many pipes over the years, you still get very excited when you are extracting a pipe

[@SunnySydeUp]

Perhaps the key has no hole because it was meant to stay in the door, to function as a handle of sorts, and to be pulled out when the owner wished to leave. That would make it even more difficult to open the door if there were no handle. Problem is, if he lost that key, he would be in a bit of a bind when he wanted to open the door again. That’s just my guess.

[@ianwilkinson4602]

Yes, that was my first thought, but why have a key at all in that case? could it be very original, and so as not to confuse it with other keys? No immediate sensible idea springs to mind, unless the contents were so important that the key was carried with the holder at all times to restrict access? I like that idea whether it is true or not:-)

[@terribolan2010]

I also thought it was made to stay in the door. On the inside of a room or home. Now we have toggles to turn or buttons to push. Also when Yale started making keys they did not have holes. A small hole was added after complaints from customers.

[@raydennis1946]

I couldn't help noticing your name was WREN - nice coincidence ....

[@tubemagpie]

About the key.... would it possibly have a number on the top ?

[@geekdivaherself]

@@tubemagpie I thought so as well. I was wondering if it was a hotel key, the kind that they give you at a desk when you come in and they take away from you when you leave. You wouldn't need it on a ring if so. It could rest in a little box sort of like a mail-sorting setup on a secretary desk.

[@paulbenson2452]

Dear Nicola, What a fantastic job you did in weaving veterans into your roundup. I'm am thoroughly impressed. Poppet

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

thank you poppet - lots of love xx

[@michaelangel888]

Great finds! I believe the key may possibly be left without a hole at the top because it's an old room key to a hotel room. That part of the key has two functions. The lack of a hole leaves a spot for the room number to be placed and simultaneously keeps people from adding it to their personal keychain and wondering off home with them, plus it tends to encourage people to keep track of the key the same way we are forced to keep track of the large key cards used today. I obviously could be wrong, but I hope that helps.

[@stephenduffy5406]

The key might be solid to prevent its being placed in a key ring with others. An important key, perhaps, which unlocked an important door ?

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

very important. I think you are right!

[@fanroche8573]

Not always the case though. I went to the Ceremony of the Keys at Tower of London and they have holes

[@HTEBARAM]

Maybe it was the housekeeper’s key that could open any lock. Nicola, thanks for your usual entertaining adventures!😊

[@staceyrowell9023]

Furniture keys don’t tend to have holes. Cabinets writing desks etc.

[@JTW3159]

key is the same type of key used to open a tin of ham,just bigger

[@axelgs11]

Found this on the internet Nicola Home Guard Enamel Sign from an 'AW' Bomb Case This original WWII sign would have originally have been screwed on the inside lid of a box containing "AW Bombs" (a reference to the manufacturers Allbright and Wilson) or as officially known the 'SIP' or 'No 76 grenades'. Four grenades were packed in one wire-bound wooden case which had two rope handles and was fastened with two wires sealed with lead. The grenade was self igniting, consisting of a short necked half pint clear glass bottle containing yellow phosphorus, water, benzene and rubber, with a free space of 10%, sealed with a plain red crown cork. Spontaneous ignition occurred when the glass was shattered on contact with the target, by the oxidation of the phosphorus in air, which in turn ignites the benzene. A crude rubber two-inch strip, gradually dissolved in the container during storage, rendering the contents tacky and therefore assists it to adhere to the object at which the grenade is directed. The weight of each filled grenade was 1.5 lbs. You can almost imagine 'Dad's Army's Corporal Pike's shouting his warning 'Don't panic Mr Mainwaring' when handling such a weapon-before dropping it! The AW bomb was issued to the Home Guard initially for hand throwing and then for firing from 'the Northover Projector'. The Projector was a 2.5 inch ad hoc anti-tank weapon used by the British Army and Home Guard during the Second World War. With a German invasion of Great Britain imminent in 1940 after the allied defeat in the Battle of France, most available weaponry was diverted to the regular British Army, leaving the Home Guard short on supplies, particularly anti-tank weaponry. This weapon consisted of a hollow metal tube attached to a tripod, with a rudimentary breech at one end. Rounds were fired with the use of black powder ignited by a standard musket percussion cap and it had an effective range of between 100 and 150 yards. The weapon did have several problems in that it was difficult to move and the No. 76 Special Incendiary Grenades had a tendency to break inside the breech, damaging the weapon and injuring the crew. Like many obsolete Home Guard weapons, it was eventually replaced by the 2-pounder anti-tank gun in 1943. It is probably a good thing this weapon was never tested in a live situation whilst defending our shores!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you

[@DukeCannon]

I came here to read this comment. Thank You Sir!

[@CL-vz6ch]

Top quality comment. TY

[@No1sonuk]

*Corporal JONES... (Clive Dunn) PRIVATE Pike was Ian Lavender.

[@robertlewis4216]

So a Molotov cocktail, in essence

[@SuziSpooks]

Amazing finds and the war stories with the finds are fascinating and very poignant this remembrance Sunday.

[@Donkey-rr1ge]

My oldest son and I started watching your videos years ago ( you gave him a shout out once when he was about 8 😀) And even now still fascinating to watch, my son is now 11 and is heavily into metal detecting, nugget noggin and you are his hero’s! He found a Charles the 1st coin down in Cornwall and the first thing he said is do you think you or nugget noggin have ever found one. Thank you for keeping us entertained

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Wow I'm so glad you're still following the adventures and that your son is inspired! No I've never found a Charles I. I hope he finds some fabulous treasures. ❤️

[@foxtanker4055]

Aside from your marvelous finds Nicola, the greatest respect that you have honoured the memory of those who made the greatest sacrifice and also those who served and returned. You are the best.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

thank you x

[@WayneTheSeine]

Nicola, such beautiful finds. I love that you research the history of items. It is all so very interesting, particularly on those who fought in the wars. Visiting and leaving flowers on their graves is awesome. The squirrel at the end was a hoot. He must have a pretty big stash by now.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

thanks Wayne. That squirrel has a massive store believe me!

[@nickgreaves3355]

Hi, the cormorant at the beginning of your lovely video with it’s wings outstretched reminded me of our wonderful Liver birds on top of the royal liver building here in Liverpool.

[@markwhyman4804]

Did you know.....The elver is a remarkable creature, spawned in the Sargasso Sea but returning 2,000 miles and more to the rivers and streams of Europe in a journey that can take three years. It deserves respect, but sadly stocks have diminished enormously over the last three or four decades, now being perhaps 10 per cent of the levels after WWII. So well done for saving the little guy.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you for this info Mark! I didn't know any of that

[@tillybinkieking7258]

Wow! Thank you.

[@MoonSpinners]

That’s absolutely fascinating, thank you for that information 🤗

[@michelledryden4378]

Interesting info! 😊

[@coy0te9]

I was just thinking she saved the little thing from being a snack for one of the ducks.

[@harrybond1485]

Your key is particularly large, and would be made of brass.Being so large and long, the door lock would have also been substantial. Thus, the lock would have been harder to turn.The solid thumb paddle would have given the key greater strength and keep it from breaking.

[@skipmole612]

Given it's rusty, it's clearly not made of brass...

[@harrybond1485]

@@skipmole612 I have seen brass items that come out of water that looked just like that.Various kinds of incrustations.

[@skipmole612]

@@harrybond1485 Unlike Fred Jury's brass nameplate...

[@codysmith605]

@@harrybond1485 it would have been encrusted in green had it been brass.

[@drunkdunc8738]

Locks have keyholes.....what's a hole in a key called? 🤔Cheers Nicola🍻

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

ha ha dont get me started :) escutcheons and all that :) x

[@derekwalters4980]

I'm a 12yr Navy veteran from a US Navy family (okay, in the spirit of full disclosure, including immediate family and 1st cousins, we have 1 Army, 1 Air Force, 1 Marine and 1 Coast Guard, everyone else was or is, Navy), and I so appreciate how you put so much time and research into doing what you can to bring these service members stories to life. They might not have become great heroes doing extraordinary acts, but they all sacrificed and you take the time to honor that when you can. It makes their sacrifice real, and remembering the cost of war is profound and we should always be aware of price of war. Thank you

[@susanpye9821]

A great key you found reminded me of my grandma’s home they had the biggest keys really old thanks Nicola for a great video.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thanks Susan x

[@MorgoUK]

Don’t keys for safes and strongboxes usually lack a hole in the top? Makes for a better purchase or twisting (torque) as key operates the required heavy-duty safe mechanism.

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thanks Steve

[@edherdman9973]

It's quite a big key though!

[@d.e.s4432]

Honestly the toy orphanage makes me so happy. I love that they all have each other, and you!

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

Thank you! I'm sure they take over the studio at night!

[@dragonbreathsmaugh559]

Just discoveref your site. Fascinating ! Thanks for sharing and fingers crossed for your small trunk of pirate treasure thrown into the Thames when they were caught ! Great history. I have subbed - don't want to miss any more ! 🫂 🐦 🤞 🌞 🦩

[@sandraponte3121]

So cute your little Squirrel friend! Amazing how trusting he is…adorable!

[@Fees-Shed]

“Fish bone” think it’s part of a mid century modern ornament. Usually mounted on a teak plinth The key is the style used for a safe, whether room or actual safe Hms repulse - my dad made a contribution to the design of the submarine of that same name

[@nicolawhitemudlark]

thank you!

[@debbiereeves9700]

My dad was the lead naval architect on Repulse , the submarine, small world!

[@kellymarsh2266]

A swans head and neck, I think

[@delukxy]

I have a pair of cranes that are made from animal horns, probably cow, about 12" high I bought them in the Gambia about 1957 (Merchant Navy) They too are on a small wooden base. Very elegant and not crudely made at all. When I saw the "fish bone I instantly thought it might be a holder for short quill pens, hence the shiny end piece. Off the wall? Maybe!

[@simonw6418]

I think its a decorative birds head and neck.. you can see the beak at the very end and engraved feather on the outer curved side.

[@ChrisSmith-ls7mb]

Hello Nicole Lots of great finds in this video. The sign was so cool. When I did my cousin's family tree for him, I discovered that his great grandfather was on a ship that was sunk during WW2. It was reported that he had survived the initial sinking but when he could not find his friend he dove back in to save him and was never seen again. His name is on a plaque in Nova Scotia where my cousin's toke his sons to see just before covíd started here. On a lighter note we loved the red top. Take Care Chris and Sandra of Canada.

[@susantaylor4340]

My favorite of your finds was the intact clay pipe. Awesome find! Thanks for sharing your day with us. 🤗

[@dawsonfradin9071]

Hi Nicola, I believe the cartridge you found was a 5.56x45mm Nato. Its the standard rifle round for the UK and most Nato countries. I usually tell then apart based on a tall narrow casing, and a rather small bullet. I cant say for certain that Im correct, but I have a pretty strong hunch.

[@edherdman9973]

I'm certain that's the correct identification. All the relative dimensions are spot on and I don't think it's likely to be anything that looks similar, and the other traditional military cartridges (like .303) have a different look.