Roberts & Co London published this First World War centenary film on 23 February 2014. It brings together historical photographs and a pair of commemorative coin cufflinks, looking ahead to a year of remembrance.

This short archive film moves from images of soldiers and families to objects made in the London studio. The cufflinks use coins dated 1914 and 1918, connecting the beginning and end of the war through two everyday pieces of its material history.

Looking ahead to the First World War centenary

The anniversary dates need a little care. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914; Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August. The latter date was the British anniversary highlighted by the original video description. Imperial War Museums’ timeline sets out that sequence.

Photographs and remembrance

The opening montage puts people at the centre of the film. A uniformed man stands with two children, while other photographs show motorcycles and groups of soldiers. The original film reproduces these images without identifying their photographers, units or locations.

1914 and 1918 coin cufflinks

The film then turns to the commemorative cufflinks. In the original 2014 description, Roberts & Co described them as made from genuine sterling silver threepence coins dated 1914 and 1918. It gave the coin diameter as 16mm and described traditional chain links and bar fittings made in the London studio.

Close views show the coin designs, connecting chains and marks on a bar fitting. The original description also stated that the cufflinks carried Roberts & Co London hallmarks and that the Goldsmiths’ Company Assay Office had hallmarked them. These are details from that original account, retained here as part of the film’s history.

A small commemorative object

The dated coins give the pair its particular meaning. Seen after the historical photographs, they become a modest way of marking the centenary and remembering those who served and sacrificed. This article records the 2014 film and its original product description, rather than a present-day sales listing.

Watch the original film

Originally published on YouTube on 23 February 2014.