WW1 case which 'saved soldier's life' sold at auction

A soldier's cigarette case which stopped a bullet hitting his chest in World War One has been sold at auction.

The silver case had been gifted to 2nd Lt William Alexander Lytle by his wife during the conflict.

A note inside it, written by his son, said he had been wearing it in his breast pocket when the bullet hit it.

It still bears the dent made by the bullet and was part of a collection which fetched £1,800 at an auction earlier.

Hansons Auctioneers said the case was found by the Derbyshire-born Sherwood Forester's family while they were preparing to auction the "impressive" set of medals he earned during both world wars.

The medals include a Military Cross awarded in 1915 and the full collection had been expected to sell for between £1,000 and £2,000 at the auction in Etwall, Derbyshire.

Before the sale Adrian Stevenson, militaria expert at Hansons, said: "Many soldiers kept hard objects in the breast pockets of their Army uniforms in a bid to protect themselves from enemy fire. Cigarette cases, shaving mirrors and pocket Bibles were popular.

"A bullet potentially heading for the heart could be stopped in its tracks by objects such as this, particularly if it was reaching the end of its trajectory.

"Consequently, these objects have gained historical significance. They provide us with an insight into how young men who lived a century ago dealt with the grave dangers faced in the trenches in the war to end all wars."

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